Explain why encryption
Why do we want this stuff "encryption" on amateur radio bands?
(1.) Simply most just don't want to fight the "battle" of RF abuse with jammer
(2) The reason when you hear complainer talking about the ham band are quiet, no one is on ___ repeater. All because of abuse.
(3) Some true scumbags exist in the hobby and the reason that some repeaters are silent.
Why would anyone want to use encryption on ham radio?
That said, there has never been any expectation of privacy for communications under amateur license.
In Canada, from what Industry Canada has said, it is "legal" to use encryption on the amateur frequencies as long as you use a key that is published. If you don't make the key available to everyone, you can't encrypt.
Interesting how Canada and the US are different on encryption in the ham bands. What's ironic, is that if the encryption key is publicly available to anyone/everyone, doesn't that negate the purpose of encryption? That's like putting a sign on your front door that says "Door is locked so that no one may enter. There is a spare key under the door mat. Come on in."
Since Amateur Radio is not designed to be a private means of communication, why would anyone need/want to use encryption in the ham bands, except for experimentation? No answer needed, that was a rhetorical question, and one that has been beaten to death.
In the USA:
It is prohibited in the US, with one exception. One is allowed to encrypt commands to an amateur satellite (Send from the ground to the satellite). Aside from that, encryption is prohibited.
FCC Considering Proposal For Encrypted Ham Radio
https://hamradioencryption.blogspot.com/2020/05/fcc-considering-proposal-for-encrypted.html
From the terms and conditions spelt out by OFCOM (pdf), the UK communications regulator.
Amateur Radio AND Encryption
https://hamradioencryption.blogspot.com/
https://hamradioencryption.blogspot.com/
