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Encrypted Data Burst question (lemm.ee)

submitted 1 year ago by Followupquestion@lemm.ee to c/hamradio@lemmy.ml

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Is there a portable civilian device that allows for short to medium range (10 miles or so) that would allow for 128 or 256 bit encrypted data bursts, and if so, what level certification would one need to go about for using it legally in the US? I’m imagining a data burst to convey less than 1 MB of data with an accompanying bit total that could then be “delivery confirmed” by a return message with that bit total. Bonus points if it could play nicely with a Disco32 Discus.

I know it wouldn’t fool a foxhunt, but was curious if such a thing exists and if so, what’s the entry cost in money and time?

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[–] I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Big note that I am a technician class with not much experience.

To get long distances, you can either rely on prolongation (you radio signal follows the curve of the earth), or line of site (your antenna can see the other antenna directly).

For propagation, HF generally gives you the best distance. You can use digital modes on the 20 meter band with a General class amateur radio license. You would need a portable transceiver and antenna likely mounted on your vehicle.

For line of sight, your antenna will need to be 20-30 feet above ground surface to see over the horizon. Hypothetically portable with a dipole on a pvc mast. You can use digital modes on the 2 meter and 70 cm bands with a Technician class license.

To send and receive data, you need to connect both radios to their own computer and agree on a language. Most commonly, you use two different frequencies to represent ones and zeroes. There are established protocols, but I think the one that would best lend itself to data bursts is proprietary D Star.

Digital isn't something I've used yet, so hopefully I haven't given any bad information.