On Tue, 26 Nov 2002, XPORT NETWORKS wrote:
> Newby Q- > Does having a amateur radio license in the US allow you to run more > power on 802.11 networks? Are there any benefits given to amateur radio > operators vs non-amateur radio people? Dan, I am a licensed amateur radio operator. My understanding of the FCC part 97 rules says two things that prevent hams from using 802.11b: 1) Encryption is not allowed in the amateur service (except for certain situation involving remote control of radio stations, i.e. repeaters). This is to prevent people from using the amateur bands for commercial purposes. This does not prevent cryptographic authentication of amateur communications, but rather encryption that hides the content of the message. Any communications protocols used must be openly published. I believe the 802.11 specification may not conform to this, as the specification is only available to the public with some usage restrictions. 2) Spread spectrum use in the amateur service is only allowed with the use of certain specific spreading algorithms. I do not believe that any of the 802.11 codes are authorized. My information may be out of date. If so, please correct me, I'd like to know myself. Of course, use outside of the US is probably differently regulated. 73, Bob -- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
