🚀 go-pugleaf

In Article<2.2.32.19960404132521.006880f4@norden1.com>, 
<rdale@NORDEN1.COM> writes:
> 
> Does that mean when I tell someone over the air that "I'm making a 
run for
> the border" instead of "eating lunch at Taco Bell" I'll lose my 
license? I
> think you would have a hard time proving that spotter ID numbers, 
which are
> used to speed the flow of information from us to the NWS, are used 
to
> "conceal" information.
> 
> Rob
> 


Rob the original question contained the following

> In certain circumstances it is useful to code information.  Some 
examples
> include:
> 
> -Nets operating in areas where the broadcast media has proven to be
>irresponsible and "run with" information that has not been  confirmed
>or only tells part of the story (like listening to a single hurricane
>recon aircraft report and proclaiming "the storm is weakening").
> 
> -Protecting sensitive information or avoiding a rush of 
thrill-seekers
>  such as in the case of VORTEX reports or after a bonefide disaster
>  when scene protection and information embargoing are necessary.
> 
>   Further, if the information
> is coded, the public and media may make false assumptions (guesses) 
leading
> to secondary problems like false evacuations or diverting of 
disaster relief.
> 



Rob, There are no codes or ciphers involved in your transmission 
saying you are going to "run for the border", and there is no intent 
to conceal the meaning of your transmission.   The examples above are 
obviously the intentional use of codes to conceal the meaning 
(content) from the listener who is deemed to be an unwanted listener.

I still say that is a blatant violation of FCC regs -- regardless of 
whether it protects them from misinterpretation of communications or 
anything else.

It is not legal to intentionally conceal information by the use of 
codes in any ham radio transmission -- for any reason.  The question 
that comes up is whether or not the "INTENT" of the ham makes any 
difference as far as legality.  I haven't found where the regs make 
any allowances for good intentions.


73, WB4EXQ -- Hank