Digital HT radio with AES256 encrytion

[htperry]

I want to first say this post is about a radio, not a ham radio license or regulations. If you have a amateur radio license, the regulations are between you and the FCC. I am not a FCC proxy or snitch and reminding you of regulations is not my business. I'd rather this post be about the hardware, not the use regulation. Ham radio po po not welcome

I have used Digital Mobile Radio internationally since 2016. At that time, adoption of DMR or Mototrbo was just becoming popular in the amateur radio community. The learning curve was steep and affordable equipment kind of sketchy. The repeater networks were not well developed, either. Because repeaters in my area were poor and poorly run, I bought a recently developed piece of hardware called an OpenSpot DMR hotspot. That freed me from the whims of local repeater operators.

Fall of 2022, I upgraded my 2016 OpenSpot to the current model OpenSpot 4 Pro. This device is battery powered, has WiFi and allows cross-mode operation from your DMR radio to D-Star, Fusion, NXDN and other DMR networks not found on repeaters like TGIF. It is small, very reliable and portable - no need to tinker with it once configured. Fits in your pocket.

I have had more than several DMR radios over time. Until recently, my go-to HT for VHF/UHF analog and DMR was a 2018 Alinco DJ-MD5 (private label Anytone). It still works great, but lacked some features I wanted in currently available digital handheld radios. I chose the Btech DMR-6x2 Pro (private label Anytone, too) primarily for the ability to implement AES256 encryption on digital communications. The radio also has 4 hour recording ablity, store and forward repeat, Bluetooth, GPS, APRS and abilities to SMS, send location or even man-down alert to like-equipped models. In 2023, Btech plans to add ARC4 encryption, which will broaden the encryption compatibility with other brands of digital Part 90 business radios. This radio is able to have digital encryption because it is Part 90 certified by the FCC. Anytone makes great radios, BTW.

Below are pics of my 2018 Alinco, the new Btech DMR-6x2 Pro and OpenSpot 4 Pro with a similarly sized 6000 mAh power bank. I got the DMR-6x2 Pro on Amazon for $299. You can look it up if interested. The OpenSpot 4 Pro was bought directly from SharkRF. The power bank is from Amazon. If you have questions about the equipment or how it works, please ask.

 

[DonRavioli]

Man, I have wondered when someone would post about DMR here.

 

[noway2]

Interesting. I notice the Alinco says GMRS, which jives with the Part 90 regulation and hence is a doorway to get the encryption. To ask a question in a round about way, I assume the radio applies encryption on the signal after its been digitized and before it's encoded into an RF packet. Hence it is capable of encrypting regardless of what band the radio is operating and hence it would be up to the operator, not the radio, to po po themselves?

 

[georgel]

I have a similar configuration with an Anytone AT-D868UV, without the encryption. But, you knew that. My OpenSpot is housed with a large battery in a water tight travel box. It's been so long since I used it, I'll have to relearn DMR.

I'm glad W4CQ repeater is seeing so much use these days. Is Oscar still kicking?

 

[htperry]

Interesting. I notice the Alinco says GMRS, which jives with the Part 90 regulation and hence is a doorway to get the encryption. To ask a question in a round about way, I assume the radio applies encryption on the signal after its been digitized and before it's encoded into an RF packet. Hence it is capable of encrypting regardless of what band the radio is operating and hence it would be up to the operator, not the radio, to po po themselves?

Both radios are programmed for ham, GMRS/FRS and MURS, with NOAA RX. I have GMRS license, too.

The encryption appears to work on any TX frequency in digital mode. I assume the encryption is post A/D, but don't know the particulars.

I have the Beta firmware on the BTech and ARC4 is now available.

 

[htperry]

I have a similar configuration with an Anytone AT-D868UV, without the encryption. But, you knew that. My OpenSpot is housed with a large battery in a water tight travel box. It's been so long since I used it, I'll have to relearn DMR.

I'm glad W4CQ repeater is seeing so much use these days. Is Oscar still kicking?

I believe Oscar is still living, but think he's maybe too fragile and deaf for ham radio. He's a good guy.

Relearn that DMR, George. Let's chat or NVIS, like the good ole days.

 

[noway2]

Here’s another question. When you’re using encryption, regardless of the mode, how to you sync up with the other party to do any sort of key exchange? Is this something that needs to be preset on both or all radios before hand?

 

[htperry]

Here’s another question. When you’re using encryption, regardless of the mode, how to you sync up with the other party to do any sort of key exchange? Is this something that needs to be preset on both or all radios before hand?

Both radios must the the same encryption keys. Encryption only works in digital mode. The radio doesn't have analog voice scrambling.

 

[georgel]

Just the other day I found that the insulation on my 40m end-fed was gone, like it was never there. Will have to rebuild that one. The 80m is made, but waiting to be trimmed and tuned.