The fact that they will happily sell equipment to decode the transmissions does NOT negate the fact that the transmissions are obfuscated.
In the US, I would argue that using D-Star on amateur radio is already illegal, under Title 47 part 97(a)(4). Since the codec is proprietary, and documentation on the encoded format is not available, the use of the code is clearly an attempt to obscure the meaning of the communication from anyone that doesn't buy D-Star equipment that contains the proprietary codec.
Eric Smith
N2ES
At least Android warns you about that before you install the app; on the iPhone the only warning you ever get is about location. Given how many of these apps seem to have good ratings, I guess most people just don't care.
I tried one battery monitor app that did not present privacy warnings, and it basically worked, but it sucked the battery flat in less than an hour. Apparently it was written to run continuously, rather than periodically. I guess for now you don't get a good battery monitor without giving up your privacy.
The security warnings would be much better if instead of just being warnings, the user had the option to install the app but deny it access to the things you don't want it to use (the way location works on the iPhone).
If they really do, the first thing I'll want to do is take it apart and change the current limiting, to get it down to 5mW, so that it can be used safely as a laser pointer.
I don't need a 1W blue laser, but I haven't found any 5mW blue lasers for under $200.
Contrary to what the Senators are saying, this bill has NOTHING to do with catching drug kingpins, and everything to do with advancing the surveillance state.
Aside from violating my (unenumerated) right to travel by air, it violates the Privileges and Immunities clause. That they add names to the NFL arbitrarily with no legal process and that there is no provided means of getting my name removed from the NFL violates the Due Process clause.
The government has absolutely NO rights whatsoever. The rights belong to the people. The people have granted the government limited powers to impose restrictions on the people's rights. The government routinely exceeds the limitations of those powers, and one of the functions of the courts is to provide a means for the people to attempt to rein in such abuses.
Life is a healthy respect for mother nature laced with greed.