Sunday, September 20, 2015

The White House Thinks It Can Make a Deal With Companies to Break Encryption

Source: Motherboard

... a passage in a document recently leaked by an anonymous source reveals that the White House might have a solution in mind: The administration would promise not to push any law forcing tech companies to weaken encryption at the request of the FBI, which would then encourage the tech companies to voluntarily install backdoors in their products.
...
Facebook and Microsoft declined to comment for this story. We also reached out to Apple, Google, and Yahoo and will update this story if we hear back.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

It's Surprisingly Simple to Hack a Satellite

Source: VICE Motherboard

During a Camp presentation entitled "Iridium Hacking: please don't sue us," hackers Sec and schneider demonstrated how to eavesdrop on Iridium pager traffic using the Camp badge.
...
"The problem," Sec explained, "isn't that Iridium has poor security. It's that it has no security."
...Iridium pager traffic is sent in cleartext by default, and most pager traffic remains unencrypted.
...
Frequency shifts as satellites go overhead have historically made it difficult to capture Iridium traffic. But with cheap, ubiquitous software-defined radio—like the rad1o badge or HackRF—eavesdropping becomes trivial. "You say, ok, give me all the frequencies at once, and in the received signal search for the Iridium [traffic] afterwards," Sec explained.
...Once collected, the data needs to be analyzed for Iridium traffic. ... "A Raspberry Pi 2 is just beefy enough to process the traffic," Sec said.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

146.550 MHz HAM Radio NEEDS a dedicated NATIONAL EMERGENCY Frequency!

by Dale R. Kubichek, N6JSX
EMERGENCY communications are defined as communications concerning the immanent pearl to human life or loss of personal property. Communications concerning hazards to the public's safety that may cause a loss of life or property.
Other communications services have a specific EMERGENCY calling frequency or channel. CB has channel nine (27.065 MHz), boaters have Marine VHF channel sixteen (156.800 MHz), the International Maritime Distress frequency is 2182 KHz, and the Aviation EMERGENCY frequency is 121.500 MHz.
The 146.550 MHz was selected for this effort due to accommodating most old and new 2 meter transceivers. This frequency is not, typically, a repeater frequency or in the satellite, CW, or beacon operational areas. Local area repeaters (on 6m, 2m, 220, 440, etc.) could monitor this SINGLE frequency with an auxiliary receiver.
When a signal is received on 146.550 MHz, with either the EMERGENCY PL tone (recommended 100.0 Hz) or a DTMF tone of at least three seconds (recommended DTMF #0), i.e. LTZ, long-term-zero, the repeater could automatically re-transmit the received audio through a local repeater. This would alert monitoring HAM's that a need of immediate assistance is being requested on 146.550 MHz.
Amateur's in rural areas using a scanner or a simple crystal monitoring receiver could detect an EMERGENCY transmission on 146.550 MHz. This rural HAM could then render assistance separate from any repeater service. This frequency gives ALL of Amateur Radio (and SWL's) a single focal point frequency across the USA to monitor or to use in getting EMERGENCY HELP!
The traveling Amateur would NO longer need repeater guides or repeater PL knowledge to get EMERGENCY life-saving assistance. Just a FM transceiver that can transmit on 146.550 MHz.
The 2 meter band is the MOST logical beginning for this, type of dedicated, EMERGENCY frequency as 2 meters is the most commonly used HAM band with nearly all scanners covering this frequency, the most hand-held, and mobile transceivers in Amateur operation.
This single EMERGENCY frequency (with PL tone) could be pre-programmed into one of your transceiver memories allowing easy and quick access. This would also eliminate the dangerous operation of trying multiple repeater frequencies and PL tones while driving down the highway.

Source: ARRL
 the FCC denied a Petition for Rulemaking to create a nationwide emergency calling frequency. The Petition -- filed by Bryan Boyle, WB0YLE, of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, and Jim Dixon, WB6NIL, of Alhambra, California -- called upon the FCC to designate 146.550 MHz as a “non-exclusive nationwide Amateur Radio Service emergency communications channel using FM wideband modulation

Calvin's NOTE: Any licensed operator can run a repeater according to FCC rule 97. The challenge would be to avoid more than one repeater transmitting on the same frequency.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Amateur Radio Simplex and Calling Frequencies

In an effort to improve my preparedness for emergency communications I have been collecting lists of commonly used Simplex and calling frequencies to program into all of my radios.


2 Meters (144-148 MHz)

144.00-144.05 EME (CW)
144.05-144.10 General CW and weak signals
144.10-144.20 EME and weak-signal SSB
144.10 MHz 2M CW.........   
144.060 2M QRP CW Calling Freq ----
144.144 to 144.150 2M PSK ........  
144.200 National calling frequency
144.200 MHz 2M SSB........   
144.200-144.275 General SSB operation
144.275-144.300 Propagation beacons
144.285 2M QRP SSB Calling Freq ---- 
144.30-144.50 New OSCAR subband
144.31 to 144.375, unchannelized, From the JPLARC in Southern California
144.405 to 144.475, unchannelized From the JPLARC in Southern California
144.49 (International Space Station uplink: transmit here & listen to 145.80 for the downlink)
144.50-144.60 Linear translator inputs
145.51 to 145.595, unchannelized, From the JPLARC in Southern California
144.60-144.90 FM repeater inputs
145.71 to 145.785 in 15 kHz steps , From the JPLARC in Southern California
144.90-145.10 Weak signal and FM simplex (145.01,03,05,07,09 are widely used for packet)
145.10-145.20 Linear translator outputs
145.20-145.50 FM repeater outputs
145.50-145.80 Miscellaneous and experimental modes
145.510 D
MR simplex 2 **
145.790 DMR simplex 1 **
145.80-146.00 OSCAR subband
146.01-146.37 Repeater inputs
146.40-146.58 Simplex
146.400 FM Simplex
146.415 FM Simplex
146.430 FM Simplex (ATV simplex only from the JPLARC in Southern California)
146.445 FM Simplex
146.460 FM Simplex
146.475 FM Simplex
146.490 FM Simplex
146.505 FM Simplex
146.520 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency
146.535 FM Simplex
146.550 FM Simplex
146.565 FM Simplex
146.580 FM Simplex
146.595 FM Simplex
146.61-146.97 Repeater outputs
147.00-147.39 Repeater outputs
147.42-147.57 Simplex
147.420 FM Simplex
147.435 FM Simplex
147.450 FM Simplex
147.465 FM Simplex
147.480 FM Simplex
147.495 FM Simplex
147.510 FM Simplex
147.525 FM Simplex
147.540 FM Simplex
147.555 FM Simplex
147.570 FM Simplex
147.60-147.99 Repeater inputs
Notes: The frequency 146.40 MHz is used in some areas as a repeater input. This band plan has been proposed by the ARRL VHF-UHF Advisory Committee.

** For DMR simplex use TG99 / CC1 / TS1 /Admit Criteria: Always / In Call Criteria: TX or Always

1.25 Meters (222-225 MHz)

222.0-222.150 Weak-signal modes
222.0-222.025 EME
222.05-222.06 Propagation beacons
222.07 to 222.15 1.25M PSK ....
222.1 SSB & CW calling frequency
222.10-222.15 Weak-signal CW & SSB
222.15-222.25 Local coordinator's option; weak signal, ACSB, repeater inputs, control
222.25-223.38 FM repeater inputs only
223.40-223.52 FM simplex
223.420
223.440
223.460
223.480
223.500 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency
233.520
223.52-223.64 Digital, packet
223.64-223.70 Links, control
223.71-223.85 Local coordinator's option; FM simplex, packet, repeater outputs
223.720
223.740
224.760
223.780
223.800
223.840
223.85-224.98 Repeater outputs only
Note: The 222 MHz band plan was adopted by the ARRL Board of Directors in July 1991.

70 Centimeters (420-450 MHz)

420.00-426.00 ATV repeater or simplex with 421.25 MHz video carrier control links and experimental
426.00-432.00 ATV simplex with 
427.250-MHz video carrier frequency
432.00-432.07 EME (Earth-Moon-Earth)
432.07-432.10 Weak-signal CW
432.10 70-cm calling frequency
432.10-432.30 Mixed-mode and weak-signal work
432.10 MHz 70cm SSB......
432.2 and up 70cm PSK .....
432.30-432.40 Propagation beacons
432.40-433.00 Mixed-mode and weak-signal work
433.00-435.00 Auxiliary/repeater links
433.450 DMR simplex 4 **
435.00-438.00 Satellite only (internationally)
438.00-444.00 ATV repeater input with 439.250-MHz video carrier frequency and repeater links
441.000 DMR 
simplex 1 **
442.00-445.00 Repeater inputs and outputs (local option)
445.00-447.00 Shared by auxiliary and control links, repeaters and simplex (local option)
446.00 National FM simplex frequency
446.075 DMR simplex 3 **
446.500 DMR simplex 2 **
447.00-450.00 Repeater inputs and outputs (local option)

** For DMR simplex use TG99 / CC1 / TS1 /Admit Criteria: Always / In Call Criteria: TX or Always

6 Meters (50-54 MHz)

50.0-50.1 CW, beacons
50.0-50.1 CW
50.000 - 50.100 CW, Beacons
50.06-50.09 Beacons
50.060-50.080 beacon subband
50.06 QRP CW Calling Freq
50.090 CW Calling Freq
50.1-50.3 SSB, CW
50.100 to 50.130 DX Window (USB)
50.10-50.60 Weak Signal, AM
50.100 - 50.300 SSB, CW
50.100 - 50.125 DX Window
50.110 DX Calling Frequency (USB) Usually Non-USA Stations Call Here.
50.115 DXpeditions Frequently operate CW and SSB here
50.125 USA National SSB Simplex Frequency (USB) Lots Of USA Hams Call Here
50.125 SSB Calling Frequency
50.10-50.125 DX window
50.125 SSB calling
50.260 is the WSJT Meteor Scatter calling frequency in the USA   
50.260 WSJT Calling Frequency
50.270 FSK Meteorscatter
50.290 PSK31 (SSB)
50.3-50.6 All modes
50.300 - 50.600 All Modes
50.300 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (West Coast)
50.385 USB PSK31
50.4 National AM Simplex Frequency
50.400 AM Calling Frequency
50.6-50.8 Nonvoice communications
50.600 - 50.800 Digital
50.62 Digital (packet) calling
50.680 SSTV
50.7 RTTY Calling Frequency 
50.8-51.0 Radio remote control (20-kHz channels)
50.800 - 51.000 Remote Control
50.885 QRP SSB Calling Freq
51.0-51.1 Pacific DX window
51.000 - 51.100 Pacific DX Window
51.12-51.48 Repeater inputs (19 channels)
51.12-51.18 Digital repeater inputs
51.120 - 51.180 Digital
51.120 PSK31 (FM)
51.200 - 51.480 FM Repeater Inputs
51.5-51.6  Simplex (six channels)
51.500  FM Simplex
51.520  FM Simplex
51.540  FM Simplex
51.560  FM Simplex
51.580  FM Simplex
51.600  FM Simplex
51.62-51.98 Repeater outputs (19 channels)
51.62-51.68 Digital repeater outputs
51.620 - 51.680 Digital
51.700 - 51.980 FM Repeater Outputs
51.910 FM Internet Linking
52.0-52.48 Repeater inputs (except as noted; 23 channels)
52.02, 52.04 FM simplex
52.020 - 52.040 FM Simplex
52.060 - 52.480 FM Repeater Inputs
52.2 TEST PAIR (input)
52.490  FM Simplex
52.510 FM Simplex
52.525 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency
52.5-52.98 Repeater output (except as noted; 23 channels)
52.525 Primary FM simplex
52.54 Secondary FM simplex
52.550  FM Simplex
52.570  FM Simplex
52.590  FM Simplex
52.560 - 52.980 FM Repeater Outputs
52.7 TEST PAIR (output)
53.0-53.48 Repeater inputs (except as noted; 19 channels)
53.0 Remote base FM simplex
53.02 Simplex
53.040 - 53.480 FM Repeater Inputs
53.1 Radio remote control
53.2 Radio remote control
53.3 Radio remote control 
53.4 Radio remote control
53.5-53.98 Repeater outputs (except as noted; 19 channels)
53.5 Radio remote control
53.6 Radio remote control
53.7 Radio remote control
53.8 Radio remote control
53.52 Simplex FM
53.9 Simplex FM

33 CENTIMETERS
903.100 MHz 33cm CW/SSB..
906.500 MHz 33cm FM......    
23 CENTIMETERS
1294.500 MHz 23cm FM......  
1296.100 MHz 23cm CW/SSB..
13 CENTIMETERS
2304.100 MHz 13cm CW/SSB..

900 MHz National “Traditional” FM Voice Simplex Channels
906.000 to 907.000 MHz - channel every 25 KHz
906.500 - National Calling Frequency

1.2 GHz
1294.00 - 1295.00 Narrow Band FM simplex, every 25 KHz
1294.50 National simplex calling channel

HF Frequencies -- DX, DXpedition, SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, SSTV

Note: By tradition, 20M and up is Upper Sideband, 40M and below is Lower Sideband. An exception is the new 60M Ham Band -- use USB. This protocol came about as a matter of convenience in early SSB transceiver design and has remained to this day. And yes - you can operate either sideband legally where phone is allowed. And yes you can operate CW on the phone bands -- but best stay with the protocols. 

Text highlighted in Yellow is from the ARRL Considerate Operator’s Frequency Guide 
"The following frequencies are generally recognized for certain modes or activities (all frequencies are in MHz) during normal conditions. These are not regulations and occasionally a high level of activity, such as during a period of emergency response, DXpedition or contest, may result in stations operating outside these frequency ranges.
Nothing in the rules recognizes a net’s, group’s or any individual’s special privilege to any specific frequency. Section 97.101(b) of the Rules states that “Each station licensee and each control operator must cooperate in selecting transmitting channels and
in making the most effective use of the amateur service frequencies. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station.” No one “owns” a frequency.
It’s good practice — and plain old common sense — for any operator, regardless of mode, to check to see if the frequency is in use prior to engaging operation. If you are there first, other operators should make an effort to protect you from interference to the extent possible, given that 100% interference-free operation is an unrealistic expectation in today’s congested bands."

160 METERS

1.800-2.000 CW
1.800-1.810 Digital Modes
1.810 QRP CW Calling frequency
1.8285 -- DXpeditions CW Operations are frequently here
1.830-1.840 CW, RTTY and other narrowband modes, intercontinental QSOs only
1.843-2.000 SSB, SSTV and other wideband modes
1.840-1.850 CW, SSB, SSTV and other wideband modes, intercontinental QSOs only  
1.825 - SSB QRP Calling Freq
1.910 - SSB QRP Calling Freq
1.995-2.000 Experimental
1.999-2.000 Beacons

80/75 METERS 

3.500-3.510 CW DX window
3.505 DXpeditions CW are frequently here 
3.560 QRP CW calling frequency 
3.590 RTTY/Data DX
3.570-3.600 RTTY/Data
3.585-3.600 Automatically controlled data stations 
3.790-3.800 DX window SSB
3.710 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Freq 
3.845 SSTV
3.885 AM calling frequency
3.799 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here 
3.985 QRP SSB calling frequency

60 METERS  

40 METERS 
7.000 - 7.010 CW DX Window
7.005 DXpeditions CW are frequently here
7.030 QRP CW calling frequency 
7.037 Pactor Calling frequency
7.040 RTTY/Data DX
7.040 QRP CW Calling Freq
7.050 XTAL Controlled Rigs
7.065 DXpedition SSB USA split to 7.150 and above
7.070-7.125 RTTY/Data
7.100-7.105 Automatically controlled data stations 
7.110 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Frequency
7.171 SSTV
7.173 D-SSTV
7.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 
7.290 AM calling frequency

30 METERS
10.106 QRP CW Calling frequency
10.110 -- DXpeditions CW are frequently here
10.130-10.140 RTTY/Data
10.140-10.150 Automatically controlled data stations

20 METERS 
14.025 DXpedition CW Freq -- Usually Split
14.060 QRP CW calling frequency 
14.070-14.095 RTTY/Data
14.080 DXpedition RTTY Freq
14.080 to 14.100 Primary Range for RTTY
14.095-14.0995 Automatically controlled data stations 
14.100 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination. 
14.1005-14.112 Automatically controlled data stations 
14.195 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split 
14.230 SSTV
14.233 D-SSTV
14.236 Digital Voice
14.236 SSTV 
14.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 
14.286 AM calling frequency
14.336 MHz  County Hunters when ever 20 is open and mobiles are around.

17 METERS 

18.075 DXpeditions CW are frequently here -- Usually Split
18.080 CW QRP Calling Freq
18.100-18.105 RTTY/Data
18.105-18.110 Automatically controlled data stations 
18.110 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.
18.130 SSB QRP Calling Freq
18.145 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here -- Usually Split
18.162.5 Digital Voice

15 METERS 
21.025 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here - Generally Listening Up-Split
21.060 QRP CW calling frequency 
21.070-21.110 RTTY/Data
21.080 RTTY DXpeditions are frequently here
21.080 to 21.100 RTTY Primary Range
21.090-21.100 Automatically controlled data stations 
21.110 QRP Novice/Tech Calling Freq
21.150 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.
21.295 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
21.340 SSTV
21.385 QRP SSB calling frequency
21.430 SSTV

12 METERS 
24.895 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
24,910 QRP CW Calling FREQ
24.920-24.925 RTTY/Data
24.925-24.930 Automatically controlled data stations 
24.930 IBP/NCDXF beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.
24.945 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split  
24.950 QRP SSB Calling Freq

10 METERS 
28.025 CW Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here – Split
28.060 QRP CW calling frequency 28.070-28.120 RTTY/Data
28.080 RTTY Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split
28.080 to 28.100 Primary Range for RTTY
28.1010 10/10 Intl CW Calling Frequency
28.110 QRP Novice/Tech Calling FREQ
28.120-28.189 Automatically controlled data stations 
28.190-28.225 Beacons
28.200 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.
28.380 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency 
28.385 QRP SSB calling frequency 
28.400 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency
28.425 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency
28.495 SSB Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split 
28.600 Old General Callin Frequency - Still used by Old Timers
28.675~28.685 SSTV Operating Frequency -- IARU Region 1 
28.680 SSTV USA/Canada 
29.000-29.200 AM
29.300-29.510 Satellite downlinks 
29.520-29.580 Repeater inputs
29.600 FM simplex
29.620-29.680 Repeater outputs
28.825 10-10 Backskatter Net - Paper Chasers Net 
28.885 6M DX Liaison Frequency -- Listen here for 6 Meter DX opening announcements and discussions.
28.945 FAX Operating Frequency
29.000-29.200 AM Operations
29.300-29.510 Satellite Downlinks
29.520-29.580 Repeater Inputs
29.600 FM Simplex - Calling Frequency 29.620-29.680 Repeater Outputs 
PSK31

ISLAND HUNTER FREQUENCIES (IOTA) IOTA CW: 3.530, 7.030, 10.115, 14.040, 18.098 and 21.040 MHz
IOTA SSB: 3.755, 7.060, 14.260, 18.128, 21.260, 24.950, 28.460 and 28.560 MHz
US Island Hunters: 7.250, 14.250 to 14.260 (main), 21.350, 28.450 MHz
CW - anywhere.
COUNTY HUNTERS NETS AND CALLING FREQUENCIES
From The County Hunter Web
County hunters usually can be found participating in the Emergency and Mobile County Hunters Net. This net is in operation almost any time band conditions allow. Generally, these times are 1300 to 2200 UTC, but they can be extended when there are active mobiles.
The primary SSB operating frequency of the county hunting net is 14.336 MHz, and is considered the net home frequency. A secondary net usually is in operation at 7.185 MHz, except between 1545 to 1700 UTC, when it moves to 7.243 MHz. Occassionally, mobile operators will shift to other bands. The usual frequency on 75 meters is 3.903 MHz, while 15 and 10 meters are at 21.338 MHz and 28.336 MHz
The CW operating frequencies of the CW net can be found at 14.0565 MHz on 20 meters and 7.0385 on 40 meters. The frequency on 30m is 10.1225 These nets are not as active but put out a call, and someone will usually come back. The abbreviation "CHN" is used to designate the net.
  COMMON PSK31 FREQUENCIES
The plan for PSK31 activity has always been (since PSK31 started) to concentrate activity starting from the bottom edge of the IARU RTTY bandplan, expanding upwards as activity increased. The exception is in the 10 mts band in order to give non full privileges ham to meet. It was defined as 150 Hz above it. Keep in mind that all you need is about 100 Hz as channel separation.
These recommended frequencies are in accordance with the IARU bandplan for region 1. There may be differences for regions 2 and 3
1838.150
3580.150
7035.15 for region 1 and region 3, and 7080.15 for region 2 *
10142.150
14070.150
18100.150
21080.150 (although most activity can be found 10 kHz lower)
24920.150
28120.150
* This is due to the fact that the 7 MHz band is much wider in region 2 (the Americas), and the IARU bandplan reflects this.  

Friday, January 16, 2015

Google "graduated" Glass from Google[x] labs

Since I'm a Google Glass "explorer" I got an e-mail from Google:

Hi there,

It’s been an exciting ride. Since we first met, interest in wearables has exploded and today it’s one of the most exciting areas in technology. We asked you to be pioneers, and you took Glass further than we ever expected. We’ve learned a ton, we’ve "graduated" from Google[x] labs, and now we’re hard at work and you’ll see future versions of Glass when they’re ready.
Since we’re focusing all our efforts on the future, we’ll be closing the Explorer Program on January 19. We realize you might have questions about what this means for you. New feature development on the Explorer Edition will stop while we work on the next version of Glass, but you can still call or email us anytime with questions, thoughts or feedback.
In the meantime, we’ve created Glass Vol 001 to honor you, our Explorers. It’s a collection of photos and stories from the early days of Glass.

The Explorer Program was started to get Glass into the hands of early pioneers who would forge the way. You’ve taken Glass to the edges of the world, from the streets of New York to the tundras of Antarctica. You’ve captured miracles every day, from your wedding vows and your child’s first steps to new ways to save lives. You’ve humbled us by taking what we started and doing more than we ever could have dreamed. Let’s celebrate your bold and brave steps into an uncharted world.
Thank you for being part of the story. We’ll see you in the next chapter.

The Glass Team

---End email from Google ---

Usually when products "graduate" from Google[x] labs a production version is made available but Google said, "you’ll see future versions of Glass when they’re ready". So many are skeptical about the future of Google Glass.

Source: The Telegraph

Despite having been in development for over three years, Google Glass is still officially a prototype.

Babak Parviz, the architect behind Google Glass, announced he was leaving the company for a job as vice president at Amazon. Two key Google Glass executives – Adrian Wong, chief of electrical engineering, and Ossama Alami, director of developer relations – also departed.

Meanwhile, several companies, including Twitter, stopped working on apps for Google Glass. In a straw poll of 16 Glass app makers by Reuters in November, nine said that they had stopped work on their projects or abandoned them, mostly because of the lack of customers or limitations of the device.