ARLA/CLUSTER: Fw: ARLB015 Rules Change Sought to Permit Encryption of Sensitive Emergency Communications

[ACViegas]

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From: "ARRL Web site" <memberlist  www.arrl.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:15 PM
To: <acviegas  hotmail.com>
Subject: ARLB015 Rules Change Sought to Permit Encryption of Sensitive 
Emergency Communications

> SB QST @ ARL $ARLB015
> ARLB015 Rules Change Sought to Permit Encryption of Sensitive
> Emergency Communications
>
> ZCZC AG15
> QST de W1AW
> ARRL Bulletin 15  ARLB015
> From ARRL Headquarters
> Newington CT  June 25, 2013
> To all radio amateurs
>
> SB QST ARL ARLB015
> ARLB015 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. The petition for rulemaking can be found
> online at http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7022424684.
>
> Rolph, of E Walpole, petitioned the Commission in March to suggest
> an additional exception to Part 97.113, 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.
>
> Rolph cited rules already in place in Australia as a possible model
> for amending the rules in the US. The Australian Amateur Radio rules
> provide an exception for "intercommunications when participating in
> emergency services operations or related training exercises." He
> suggested modifying Part 97 "to capture the intent of the Australian
> regulations" to relieve what he called "this impediment of Amateur
> Radio support of emergency communications."
>
> In his petition Rolph suggested excepting "intercommunications when
> participating in emergency services operations or related training
> exercises which may involve information covered by HIPAA 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 at
> http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=okdw6.
> NNNN
> /EX
>