Shawn WebbMar 9

Toying with this mesh networking gear and I'm now glad not to have my HAM license. In the US, HAM radio operators are required to transmit everything in cleartext--and that includes non-HAM transmissions, like the 915Mhz band as used by these mesh comms channels/protocols ( #Meshtastic, #MeshCore, #ReticulumRNode ).

The problem is that the US desperately needs more amateur radio operators for use in emergency response and disaster recovery scenarios.

It would be a shame to lose out on something so critically needed, but that is the situation.

edit[0]: Adding the below as a likely more correct interpretation ( https://mastodon.coffee/@phaysis/116200924914659924 ):

encryption is disallowed on the amateur radio bands except for cases where the signal is used for remote control. The rules don't cover an amateur licensee's uses on other bands that aren't for amateur radio use. If you have a license, you can still use encrypted mesh radio because those operate on ISM bands, not ham.

I apologize for the misinformation. It was due to a misunderstanding.

ShawnT 🔧🐀 (@[email protected])

@[email protected] encryption is disallowed on the amateur radio bands except for cases where the signal is used for remote control. The rules don't cover an amateur licensee's uses on other bands that aren't for amateur radio use. If you have a license, you can still use encrypted mesh radio because those operate on ISM bands, not ham.

Mastodon ☕
Show threadAaron Bieber
@lattera Do you have a sitation for that? I have a license.. but what you describe would preclude HAMs from using wifi.. or cell connections even.
Mar 9 at 7:23pmWeb
Show threadDianora (Diane Bruce)Mar 9
@qbit @lattera Well, we do use wifi to do point-to-point mesh like systems in clear text. Bonus we can use higher power. The clear text requirement was simply to preclude competition with commercial entities.
P.S. I am AKA https://mastodon.radio/deck/@va3db
Diane Bruce VA3DB (@[email protected])

3.37K Posts, 549 Following, 594 Followers · I live in #Ottawa, Canada (Unceeded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation) FN25di Photo header is my tower installation. Satellite on one tower and HF+6m on the other. I need a new photo as I have replaced the 6m with a 4 el 6m beam. ;) Licenced for years had to learn cw to get my first "ticket" that gives you an idea.

Mastodon.Radio
Show threadShawn WebbMar 9
@Dianora @qbit I'm wholly ignorant of how things work in Canada. How does Canada handle HAM licensing?
Show threadDianora (Diane Bruce)Mar 9
@lattera @qbit Join a club is the easiest way. rac.ca runs courses or your club may run courses. Or self study then find a volunteer examiner. No morse code requirement in years although people do it anyway for fun. (It actually can be !) Canada tests are fairly technical and not so much loaded with regulation questions as the USA test is.
Show threadShawn WebbMar 9

@qbit (copying @bux0r due to similar-ish reply):

From what I understand, it applies to all radio communication. But, it's certainly possible I'm misunderstanding something.

Reasoning: The cleartext requirement applies to the license holder, not to specific frequencies.

There is the question of power levels, about which I'm unsure.

So if you guys have some different data points, please let me know. I'm happy to retract/modify my post if my understanding is incorrect.

Show threadbuxMar 10
@lattera @qbit i am located in Europe, so it's possible law is different here. i will get in contact with some jam operators and let you know. it's possible my understanding is incorrect 😅. my assumption is based on the callsign usage for ham operators. if you don't use that, you can use encryption (but, again, this is only my sight on the matter)