[aprssig] OT: Yaesu to release digital amateur radio gear

[Stephen H. Smith]

On 1/9/2012 10:17 AM, John Gorkos wrote:
>   Specifically, the AMBE codec uses a system of
> codes and cyphers to obfuscate (compress) audio that cannot be recieved by the
> average amateur radio operator without specific hardware, which must be
> purchased from a sole-source vendor.  What's more, if you attempt to write a
> software decoder for the AMBE codec, you WILL be sued under the provisions of
> the DMCA by DVSI.  I am aware of no other situation like this in amateur
> radio:  If you built an FM transmitter, then anyone in the world with the
> correct knowledge can build an FM receiver that converts your RF signal into
> something anyone can receive.  Same for SSB, AM, even PSK31 or WSPR.  I can
> think of no other transmission that is legally made on the ham radio bands
> that I can't build a receiver or decoder for legally.

There is one other that is a nearly identical situation:   Pactor III .     The 
ONLY legal way to use it is to purchase a pricey ($400-$600) SCS Data Controller.

> However, AMBE is patent encumbered and for ANYONE to be allowed to legally
> recieve it, you must pay money to DVSI for that privilege.  That is fine with
> me for commercial radio mobile.  I believe it is fundamentally wrong in the
> amateur radio spectrum.