In article , "Ryan, KC8PMX"
writes:

Larry.... it is "encrypted" in a sense. Otherwise my scanner should be able
to recieve it no different than the voice comm's I already hear there. It
is "encrypted" (or maybe a better choice of words being "encoded") in the
sense that it needs to be encoded before sending over the air and decoded at
the other end. And this is totally legal as long as the standards and such
are publicized. Look at PSK31 and the 15-20+ other variations of the
digital modes, are you now saying all of those modes are illegal?

Ryan:

I didn't say that at all, and you, yourself, stumbled on the truth: Amateur
Radio digital modes are "encoded," not "encrypted." Encryption implies that
a system is being utilized to obscure the meaning of the message to all
who do not possess the requisite decryption equipment and "key" to the
encryption method utilized. The "encoding" methods utilized in Amateur
Radio are public domain, and the equipment used to decode these signals
simply MUST provide positive and accurate decoding in order to work --
or else, nobody would spend good money to purchase them! "Encrypted"
signals have no use in the ARS -- and the FCC rules which prohibited
encrypted signals is quite correct considering the nature of our service.

When was the last time you listened to a packet signal being transmitted and
could tell what was being sent as far as the content of the message, merely
by listening by ear? If you are that good, you have my respect, as it
merely sounds like a digital "blurb" to me.

Never, of course. However, while operating RTTY, I can recognize my own
call sign being sent in Baudot code!

Now do you understand what I meant by "encrypted?" The average "public" in
"scannerland" does not have the capability to monitor that traffic as we do.

I was never confused over the meaning of the term "encrypted." Moreover,
the average public scanner owner can, indeed, decode packet signals for
the price of a TNC. This does not imply that packet signals are "encrypted"
in any way. If you thought otherwise, perhaps it is you who is/was confused!

73 de Larry, K3LT