jim bell wrote:
Even so, it isn't clear that this new law WON'T change the rules under which hams operate. An affirmative statement of the right to use encryption would seem to pre-empt prior bans, except if there was some sort of explicit exception for over-the-air transmissions. After all, the law was written
I re-read the bill... it notes "wire" communications, as opposed to all forms. It also allows for previous restrictions to keep in effect, I think. Still, the distinction between wire and wireless is not clear anymore with new technologies. Certainly if enough HAMs pester Sen. Leahy about this 'oversight' positive changes could be made. [..]
Not that such an interpretation will necessarily be welcomed by some hams: Part of the reason for maintaining the ban on encryption would be the fear by hams that ham bandwidth will be surreptiously used by commercial services masquerading as ham users. Encryption would make such usage difficult to detect.
Interesting point... Rob. --- Send a blank message with the subject "send pgp-key" (not in quotes) to <WlkngOwl@unix.asb.com> for a copy of my PGP key.