21–30 of 312 posts
I can already hear the cries of censorship. "What do you mean crimes aren't protected speech?"
I think more interesting is how to decide in advance if a particular use is use in crime. Before a judge will decide there is a crime.
I wonder if the executive order signed the other day might be relevant to this (preventative in its effect rather than complementary)? https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-or...
As a HAM, to the other HAMs who are worried the FCC will use this as justification to curtail your privilges -- they will, and they'll tell you it's necessary for your own safety.
Will it make us any safer? Of course not. So where does the real problem lie? The people using radios to commit crimes, or the government using that as justification to restrict freedoms?
The answer is: yes.
This might be a dumb question, but is there any information out there about how much official monitoring goes on for amateur bands (and other bands, for that matter)? Are there strategically placed logging stations that allow triangulation of signal origin based on RSSI etc? I guess this stuff is super commonplace in SIGINT, I just don't know much about it.
In the Capitol area, it's highly likely multiple agencies are capturing all RF for later analysis. This is also not used for FCC rule enforcement.
The FCC has the ability to locate signals using directionfinding equipment, but as mentioned elsewhere, usually that's left to Amateurs themselves on their bands.
This might be a dumb question, but is there any information out there about how much official monitoring goes on for amateur bands (and other bands, for that matter)? Are there strategically placed logging stations that allow triangulation of signal origin based on RSSI etc? I guess this stuff is super commonplace in SIGINT, I just don't know much about it.
Hams routinely monitor and triangulate noncompliant stations, and also do staged "fox hunting" games for fun & prestige. But, I don't think it's routine or widespread to monitor the ham bands at scale for illegal or unsavory content.
What is the practical implication? I guess they are saying: "don't involve radios in your crime, or else the feds will be after you, too".
I'm sure they saw the paramilitary LARPers at the Capitol carrying radios capable of the frequencies in question. I'm sure some of them are on video using the radios and are about to be charged.
“Stop discussing plans for a revolution on amateur radio bands like if we aren’t listening to them, we are, stop believing everything they say on Facebook. I mean, we do encourage civil discussions, but if you’re going to collude on terrorism over the radio we will hold you responsible for that”
The sequitur between "social media platforms" and "commit or facilitate crimes" is quite interesting.
Don't use... well anything, in crimes. Duh.