But these are extraordinary exceptions and most of the time are handled by Federal communicators using Federal gear on Federal spectrum.
The DMAT's are one such example - they recruit Hams to help but Hams are not allowed to bring any personal gear when deployed. There may be isolated circumstances where qualified responders with Federal or public service gear on federal or public service spectrum may need assistance via Ham gear and Ham spectrum in moving confidential information but that should require a *declared emergency* and be closely supervised. Encryption should never be used by Hams under any other circumstances - the probability of abuse is overwhelming! > Bonnie has done a great job of providing a list, but there > are some more BIG ones! > > 1. List of names of confirmed survivors. > 2. List of names of confirmed dead. > 3. List of names of known injured. > 4. Estimated number of dead and injured. > > There are many more situations where Hams would want to pass > such info along to meal providers, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, > and some assurance the client would get the information BEFORE > they watch it in CNN! > > Come on folks! Think outside the envelope. These are post 9-11 times! > We are at war! Wake up. Times have changed. > > MARS (all Hams) is already using or prepared to use encryption. > ARES and RACES can't be far behind. > > John - K8OCL > > > Bill N9DSJ wrote: > > Can see no valid reason for encryption on our frequencies. If one > > could provide an single example I would be interested...... > > Hi Bill, > > Hams should certainly have the capability to pass over-the-air > encrypted traffic or scrambled speech for emergencies and disaster > relief. There are other situations where it would be useful, too. In > order to have seamless capability in an emergency, hams should be > familiar and proficient with the use of it on a regular basis. > > Encryption should not be with the sole intent to obscure the content > from other hams, but it should be availble to hams when there is a > need to shield sensitive data and information from evil-doers. > > Here are a few reasons for hams to use limited encryption in the > over-the-air communication: > > 1. To shield private data > 2. To shield private telephone numbers > 3. To shield sensitive email addresses > 4. To shield system passwords > 5. To shield station remote control > 6. To secure access to stations > 7. To control satellites > 8. To shield messages sent by a 3rd party to ham > 9. To protect medical information > 10. To protect 3rd party traffic requiring confidentiality > 11. To control repeaters > 12. To shield identities of children > > I'm sure there are more reasons... but that's some of the things I > thought of in the few minutes it took to write this. > > Bonnie KQ6XA -- Thanks! & 73, doc, KD4E Personal: http://bibleseven.com/kd4e.html Ham QTH: http://mysite.verizon.net/kd4e/
