Thinking Ahead – Misinformation and disinformation techniques to mask your true identity as an Amateur Radio Operator

Another in a series of posts in the Thinking Ahead Series started with:  https://k9zw.wordpress.com/2019/09/10/im-a-ham-or-am-i/

Misinformation and disinformation techniques to mask your true identity as an Amateur Radio Operator seems like a bit of mischief in the making, until you reflect on what the costs of being fully identified as a Ham Radio operator might be.

I’d like to run thoughts from the common sense easy end to the more involved techniques.

At the easiest and most passive is to simply use identifiers and operating techniques identifying you to the minimum.

Another Call Sign

This could be using a club or station call sign.  It is common practice to use such call signs in many normal instances, and you will often hear a number of operators using a club or event call sign, rather than their own individual call signs.

Thinking Ahead – The vulnerabilities to your homes, vehicles, and other assets by public exposure as an Amateur Radio Operator

Another post in the Thinking Ahead series started with https://k9zw.wordpress.com/2019/09/10/im-a-ham-or-am-i/

When you are on the lists – exposed – by being a public participant to Emcomm/EmGov what are the vulnerabilities to your homes, vehicles, and other assets that public exposure as an Amateur Radio Operator brings to your world?

As we discussed before much depends on where in the Good Actor to Bad Actor scale Emcomm/EmGov ends up, whether they stay as good or better than they start their interaction, and what corrupt or openly bad action forces end up with access to the information that your are an Emcomm/EmGov radio operator and possibly away from home (two distinct issues).

Thinking Ahead – When to Fold Up Tent while serving a Served-Agency?

Another in the Thinking Ahead series started with https://k9zw.wordpress.com/2019/09/10/im-a-ham-or-am-i/

In most cases affiliating with a Served-Agency is the result of over-estimating the benefits & goodness of serving, while simultaneously under-estimating or even ignoring the downside & risks.

Unless you have been involved with an agency for a long time, and have done your homework, youre “call to action” is going to be more emotive than pragmatic.

Served-Agencies would soon run out of volunteers if they wholly ignored the well being of Emcom/EmGov volunteers, but that doesn’t mean they will go to bat for you if something goes amiss.

Thinking Ahead – Common Mistakes in Viewing Potential Issues with Emcomm/EmGov Entanglement

Another in the Thinking Ahead series started at https://k9zw.wordpress.com/2019/09/10/im-a-ham-or-am-i/

Our hobby when cast in the mold of Emcom/EmGov has taken on the mantel of the served-agency while losing it Amateur Radio footing.

Most hams fail to get a good clear idea of what their entanglement with Emcom/EmGov means to them personally, parting though:

• Flattering Platitudes
• Cultivated Misunderstandings
• Overtly Intentional False Information
• The Self-Serving of the Emcom/EmGov “Industry”

The political risks of Repeater Collocation on Government Controlled Sites

As part of the Freecom ideals, avoiding government entanglements is a primary concern.  It really doesn’t matter what the Government’s reason would be, as the right to operate is subject to their veto.

Usually in collocation agreements access is restricted to designated personnel, often with further restrictions.  Usually the agreement gives not only the site host oversight, but often opens the way to other government control over operations.  The agreements usually reserve the right to shut the amateur radio down at their whim without ready recourse.  And if you ready the CalFire demand you make become an economic hostage after your build your part of the site to unilaterally monetary demands.

http://www.shastadefense.com/FAX-CalFireHamRadio20190923.pdf

Communication Controlled Technology becoming Uncontrolled Chaos

Have you ever done communications where some aspect of either your equipment, the control/remote connectivity or the actual mode of connectivity depends on anything outside your shack and the other person’s shack?

Did you ever try EchoLink, Fusion, D-Star or any similar modes?

Did you ever VPN, RemoteHam or SmartLink to a remote station?

Does any of your gear or methods require precision time references from outside your shack?