Actually, Encryption is illegal on the Amateur Bands because of international agreeements that place the Amateur Radio Service in the catagory of a public service related hobby. It's purpose (legally) is to ensure that there exists a pool of trained radio operators with technical skills in case of national emergency and to promote international good-will. Legally, the service does NOT exist to replace other readily available telecommunications services. This is also why commcercial activites are not allowed. With the exception of the management of a satellite from its controlling ground-station (where the FCC has granted limited exemption to AMSAT and others) what purpose would encryption serve in furthering the legitimate goals of Amateur Radio..? The ITAR on the other hand puts controls on the EXPORT of cryptographic software from not its USE. It's interesting to note, that technically the CONTENT of Amateur transmissions (in the international context) are supposed to be "limited to messages of a technical nature relating to tests, and, to remarks of a personal character for which, by reason of their unimportance, resouse to the public telecomminucations service is not justified."[97.117] That part of the rules exist to protect European telecom monopolies... so technically using packet radio to make a net connection for ones email could be problematic, depending upon your location... 73, David ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David HM SpectorNetwork Design & Infrastructure Security voice: +1 212.579.8573 Amateur Radio: W2DHM (ARRL life member) GridSquare: FN30as -.-. --- -. -. . -.-. - .-- .. - .... .- -- .- - . ..- .-. .-. .- -.. .. --- "New and stirring things are belittled because if they are not belittled, the humiliating question arises, 'Why then are you not taking part in them?'" --H. G. Wells
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