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HERMES radio enables voice and data communication over vast distances

189 points · 71 comments · SamuraiLion

  1. ck2 · · focus · HN ↗
    doesn't HAM radio already have a digital packet system that works like fidonet store-and-forward system?

    this just adds an encryption layer?

    1. wmf · · focus · HN ↗
      AX.25 runs at 300 bps over HF while Mercury is 10x faster.
    2. fragmede · · focus · HN ↗
      HAM radio isn't allowed to have encryption. (Someone can write a longer comment on why thats wrong.)
      1. _whiteCaps_ · · focus · HN ↗
        Depends on your jurisdiction. In Canada it's allowed if you publish your keys.

        <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.rac.ca&#x2F;encryption&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.rac.ca&#x2F;encryption&#x2F;

      2. tarxvf · · focus · HN ↗
        <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;n5dux.com&#x2F;ham&#x2F;files&#x2F;pdf&#x2F;Data%20Encryption%20is%20Legal.pdf" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;n5dux.com&#x2F;ham&#x2F;files&#x2F;pdf&#x2F;Data%20Encryption%20is%20Leg...
        1. fragmede · · focus · HN ↗
          Fascinating, thanks!
    3. BlandDuck · · focus · HN ↗
      Ham radio also has the FT8 protocol which is optimized for bad signal to noise environments, but has low bandwidth. However, using this protocol a 10Watt radio has global reach under the right conditions, which is pretty mind boggling.

      About encryption, the US rules are that you can use digital protocols but you must publish the specs so anyone can, in principle, decode the signal.

      1. cge · · focus · HN ↗
        &gt;the US rules are that you can use digital protocols but you must publish the specs so anyone can, in principle, decode the signal.

        This restriction does not appear to actually be enforced, eg, if I recall correctly the VARA HF&#x2F;FM modes do not have published specs anywhere near sufficient to decode them, to the point where there are projects trying to reverse engineer them.

    4. iamnothere · · focus · HN ↗
      Ham is not an acronym, no need to capitalize it. It’s slang for an amateur radio user.
      1. transcriptase · · focus · HN ↗
        On the other hand it annoys some of the most insufferable humans on the planet. As a ham who’s not a boomer who would gladly die with the airwaves silent but compliant with rules and regulations established assuming usage of the spectrum would grown instead of dwindle I encourage it. Fuck ‘em.
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