I'd prefer not to make firmware loading any more difficult than it is already. Whatever layers we added could either be defeated by a persistent and technologically savvy thief or would cause the real owner real grief should something go awry.
Dick, K6KR -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Stewart Rolfe Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 2:00 AM To: elecraft reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Hanging on to your K3 As the world gets ever more populated by the K3 there must come a time when we see a message here reporting K3 s/n *** has been stolen - fingers crossed it won't be K3 145. It occurred to me that being software driven, it should be possible to password protect the K3 in such a way to prevent it starting up until a code or PIN has been entered at the keypad; once this feature became known amongst the low-life such individuals may think twice about lifting a radio that could well be unusable without a great deal of hassle. I'm not thinking about a permanent feature here, more something that can be invoked if for instance you're going away for a while or leaving the radio overnight at a contest field day site etc. Ofcourse this would have implications; for instance doing a forced software upload would presumably overwrite any previously set protection. This would I assume involve putting a layer of security in the downloader to allow access only if you know the name of your mother or pet vulture, favourite war criminal etc, etc but this would also solve the inevitable problems when someone sets the security and then forgets the password.......... The point is that anything along these lines shouldn't add too much work either for the user or the folk at Aptos so wonder what, if anything, others think about this idea/request? Sensible suggestions only - I've already had my imagination going overactive and thinking about hidden micro-transponders buried deep in the bowels of the K3 which would emit a GPS traceable signal after 3 unsuccessful log on attempts, coupled with a hidden nozzle that would spray an oil based, infra-red dye over the room and occupants and which would show up on the next update of Google Earth; and if the security was cracked, an embedded code would accompany any signals radiated from the radio which will cause CW Skimmer to alternately flash the user's callsign and *STOLEN* in red letters....! 73, Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (K3 - 145) _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
