Once upon a time I was a HAM operator. Back then there was a regulation
forbidding the use of encryption on any of the HAM radio frequencies (not just
MARS). It may be tied to the licensing of HAM operators as well.
Please let me know if this has changed.
*****
Robert Johnston
Datajockeys, LLC
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-crime@private [mailto:owner-crime@private] On Behalf Of John E
Jewkes-AAA0OR-AAA0ID
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 8:02 PM
To: crime@private
Subject: CRIME query on radio text message security
In the MARS program, we have never needed previously a
'protected' mode for sending our raw text messages via radio Teletype (RTTY)
operations, as the majority of the traffic was
morale and welfare traffic for Armed Services Personnel and their families back
home. As such, almost ALL of our radio to computer interface work is done using
modified amateur radio digital traffic programs.
Now that MARS does much more support and reporting
of incidents to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, FEMA, and so on....
Does anyone know of a method of more securely sending these reports with
'encryption'. (MARS is still under a 1953 Mil Regulation that prohibits our
encryption of messages, stating that only 'CIA or INTEL' personnel can initiate
an encrypted message, and that even this
must include 'plain language' headers for delivery addressing).
We simply need something that is not readily available as shareware
or freeware, and limited in commercial usage. A couple of twists for you on
this next question: One: All but a handful of our members are volunteers, and
most are retirees, so big $$ are out of question, as MARS receives minimal
funding at best, mainly designated for operation of the various radio/data
gateways around the world, HQ staff and recruiting of volunteers.
TWO: program would have to be simple to install and operate as again, many of
the volunteers are retirees and not many know the more sophisticated programs/OS
commands, etc....
With that in MIND, does anyone know of such a program currently in
design or testing, or know of someone with the expertise to do so? Best of all
worlds would be soundcard based, with a simple interface between soundcard and
radio for transmit
and receive, and again be a non-readily available protocol, that is easy to
install,
setup and operate, and can interface with the MARS Messaging System easily..
TIA
Signed,
John E. Jewkes, SMD US Army MARS Oregon/Idaho
OR/ID State Director (Portland METRO Area Resident) Confidential Phone Number
(Confirm Only) 503-977-0527 National HQ (24/7) Identify Line: 1-800-633-1128 ext
1
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