No subject

Rules Change Sought to Permit Encryption of Sensitive Emergency =
Communications

The FCC is inviting public comments on a proposal from a Massachusetts =
ham to amend the Part 97 Amateur Service rules to permit the encryption =
of certain amateur communications during emergency operations or related =
training exercises. On June 7 the FCC accepted for filing a Petition for =
Rulemaking (RM-11699) from Don Rolph, AB1PH, and put it on public =
notice. It will remain open for comment until July 8. Rolph petitioned =
the Commission in March to suggest an additional exception to =A797.113, =
which currently prohibits "messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring =
their meaning."

"As such, encryption cannot be effectively supported by the Amateur =
Service," Rolph told the FCC in his PRM, "and this restriction has =
impacted the relationship of Amateur Radio volunteers and served =
agencies and significantly limited the effectiveness of amateurs in =
supporting emergency communications." He pointed out that Part 97 =
already relaxes its encryption prohibitions with respect to satellite =
control link communications and model craft radio control.

In his petition Rolph suggested excepting "intercommunications when =
participating in emergency services operations or related training =
exercises which may involve information covered by HIPAA [medical =
privacy requirements -- Ed] or other sensitive data, such as logistical =
information concerning medical supplies, personnel movement, other =
relief supplies or any other data designated by Federal authorities =
managing relief or training efforts."

Commenters may use the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) to =
comment on RM-11699 online.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

Please get online or write paper comments opposing this really stupid =
proposal!

Why?

First, HIPAA does NOT cover two-way radio communications. There is no =
requirement for encryption to comply with HIPAA privacy regulations.

Second, few enough hams participate regularly in emcomm. Practically =
NONE of us have encryption capability in our ham equipment. This =
rulemaking would almost eliminate ham participation in emergency =
communications involving "sensitive" information.

Third, the amateur radio service does not need or want FEMA or any other =
authority telling us which messages may be sent using what modes, =
including encrypted vs. in the clear. This is a hobby, not another =
secret government radio network.

73 de Dave, NF2G
VP SMARA

(I agree, Marv, K2VHW)