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HERMES radio enables voice and data communication over vast distances

189 points · 71 comments · SamuraiLion

  1. mesh · · focus · HN ↗
    This is a cool project, but fyi, in the US, this would require a license to broadcast (not receive), and I am pretty sure encryption, even with a license, is not legal (again, when broadcasting from US).

    And then only on certain bands:

    <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.arrl.org&#x2F;files&#x2F;file&#x2F;Regulatory&#x2F;Band%20Chart&#x2F;Hambands4_Color_17x11.pdf" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.arrl.org&#x2F;files&#x2F;file&#x2F;Regulatory&#x2F;Band%20Chart&#x2F;Hamb...

    1. _whiteCaps_ · · focus · HN ↗
      Going to be super pedantic here - in ham radio you don&#x27;t broadcast, you transmit.
      1. kanbankaren · · focus · HN ↗
        What is the difference between the two?

        A ham operator might put out 20W of ERP while a radio station operates at 100W though international broadcasters use upto 500 kW.

        1. mesh · · focus · HN ↗
          In the US with an amateur radio license you can have one to one communication (transmit) but not one to many (broadcast).
          1. lacunary · · focus · HN ↗
            hmm, been a minute since I got my ticket, but neither calling CQ nor working a net seem like one to one.
            1. scarecrowbob · · focus · HN ↗
              Isn&#x27;t it the case that it&#x27;s not a CQ unless someone responds?

              Like, the response is kind of important for either a CQ or a net... whereas if I broadcast a pirate radio I am doing what I am trying to do just by sending.

              1. lacunary · · focus · HN ↗
                yes I think two-way vs one-way communication is a good characterization
            2. sitzkrieg · · focus · HN ↗
              the intention is to make a contact, not disseminate one way information. that is broadcasting
            3. amatecha · · focus · HN ↗
              The difference is the intent - calling CQ is the protocol for seeking a contact to communicate with. It&#x27;s not broadcasting because you&#x27;re trying to establish comms with someone, and not disseminating information &quot;one-to-many&quot;. Running a net inherently intends to engage in contact with numerous stations - by definition not &quot;broadcasting&quot;.
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