In the world of amateur radio, if you are talking about privacy codes, the answer is no.
All a privacy code does is limit reception to signals preceded by the code, blocking all others. It is a form of squelch on the receiver side. A transmitter set to that code broadcasts the code key on key in. The receiver picks up the code key, and allows that transmission through. And blocks all the others incoming on that channel not preceded by the code key.
It makes for a quiet conversation for those sharing the code, but an entirely public one.
Anyone on that assigned channel can eavesdrop on your chatter and broadcast away. But you can’t hear them, unless they are using your privacy code.
Yeah. You will find these features on both the FRS and the GMRS models. Like anything else, you can disable it. I prefer to hear everything on whatever channel I am on. Too much chatter and cross talk, and I can just take it to another less active channel. I presume they’re copying me as well.
Genuine encrypted RF comms is very expensive kit, and I’m not sure it’s even available to civilians for amateur radio use. Maybe in some form of spread spectrum digital, if at all. I never bothered to look too deeply into that. You’re not going to hide a broadcast if the FCC/feds are looking for it. They can triangulate you down in a hurry.
At the end of the day, we are still essentially talking about walkie talkies. The ones from 2020 may have more bands and fancier displays, but it’s still about watts and antennas, and an analog carrier.
Higher power basestation equipment with a real array is a completely different ballgame. Those stations can hold a conversation across oceans. That’s old school ham radio.
In the world of amateur radio, if you are talking about privacy codes, the answer is no.
All a privacy code does is limit reception to signals preceded by the code, blocking all others. It is a form of squelch on the receiver side. A transmitter set to that code broadcasts the code key on key in. The receiver picks up the code key, and allows that transmission through. And blocks all the others incoming on that channel not preceded by the code key.
It makes for a quiet conversation for those sharing the code, but an entirely public one.
Anyone on that assigned channel can eavesdrop on your chatter and broadcast away. But you can’t hear them, unless they are using your privacy code.
Yeah. You will find these features on both the FRS and the GMRS models. Like anything else, you can disable it. I prefer to hear everything on whatever channel I am on. Too much chatter and cross talk, and I can just take it to another less active channel. I presume they’re copying me as well.
Genuine encrypted RF comms is very expensive kit, and I’m not sure it’s even available to civilians for amateur radio use. Maybe in some form of spread spectrum digital, if at all. I never bothered to look too deeply into that. You’re not going to hide a broadcast if the FCC/feds are looking for it. They can triangulate you down in a hurry.
At the end of the day, we are still essentially talking about walkie talkies. The ones from 2020 may have more bands and fancier displays, but it’s still about watts and antennas, and an analog carrier.
Higher power basestation equipment with a real array is a completely different ballgame. Those stations can hold a conversation across oceans. That’s old school ham radio.