Baofeng DM32 encryption

[VETCOMMS]

I saw a video made by some jeep guy that's on here about this DMR/analog radio and the dirty encryption word was mentioned.   I'm not a GI Joe type but it got me to thinking,  how would someone generate an AES256 key & then load it into a radio/ this radio?  I understand this is for business/LMR use so my question is more for learning purposes. 

How does it all work?

[WSBB368]

4 hours ago, VETCOMMS said:

I saw a video made by some jeep guy that's on here about this DMR/analog radio and the dirty encryption word was mentioned.   I'm not a GI Joe type but it got me to thinking,  how would someone generate an AES256 key & then load it into a radio/ this radio?  I understand this is for business/LMR use so my question is more for learning purposes. 

How does it all work?

You can go online and just have a random 256 key generated for you. Be aware the DM32 encryption does not work with other brand HT "Motorola/Anytone" for some reason I have tested only other Baofengs that support encryption. 

[UncleYoda]

The post I saw on the forum today mentioned using Rattlegram to send over the air.  But the encryption method was done on some type of computer/phone.  Rattlegram just sends the audio to the radio in a modem like sound format.  Most non-open encryption, including the one mentioned is prohibited for our use.

[Lscott]

There are a few encryption options recognized by various manufactures. The typical digital encryption requires a radio with a native digital voice mode, usually DMR, NXDN and P25.

One already mentioned was AES256. Some include it for free, Anytone does this, while others  charge a lot of money to install it on the radio as an option. Then you may need a special bit of software, and or hardware, to function as a key loader. 

Another one is the 40 bit RC4, or ARC4. It's a much weaker algorithm, but good enough to keep the scanner guys away for a while. It's also included for free on some radios. Others it a fairly cheap option to add. The keys are typically loaded through the radio's programming software so no additional software or hardware key loaders are usually required.

You're more likely to find more radios that have have RC4, or an option to install it, than some of the others out there. This is a point to consider if inter-operation between various manufactures is a requirement.

Note that encryption is a No-No on Ham and GMRS in general. However a few people have radios programmed with licensed LMR frequencies where it's legal to use on those. 

[WRYZ926]

From what I was told, even the US military went away from using a hardware key loader for at least the SINCGARS radios.

Encryption might be fun to test but remember that the FCC states that encryption is not allowed on amateur radio bands or on GMRS channels. 

I find no use for AES256 after having to deal with it all of the time while in the Army.

[Lscott]

15 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

I find no use for AES256 after having to deal with it all of the time while in the Army.

Some people just like their privacy, that's why they want it. 

[WRYZ926]

12 minutes ago, Lscott said:

Some people just like their privacy, that's why they want it. 

And I fully understand that. But there are better ways to go about that without having to worry about federal regulations. And digital signals along with secure encryption causes noise/interference for those using analog on the same channel/frequency.

[Lscott]

1 minute ago, WRYZ926 said:

And I fully understand that. But there are better ways to go about that without having to worry about federal regulations.

True. But if you have young kids involved trying to remember complex instructions, codes phases etc. then encryption is just the simple set and forget solution.

3 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

And digital signals along with secure encryption causes noise/interference for those using analog on the same channel/frequency.

Yeah, digital signals are not that present to hear mostly.  However low baud rate audio frequency shift radio teletype can have a bit of a "musical" rhythm to it.  

[WRYZ926]

1 hour ago, Lscott said:

Yeah, digital signals are not that present to hear mostly.  However low baud rate audio frequency shift radio teletype can have a bit of a "musical" rhythm to it.  

I know when repeaters can have issues when setup for both analog and DMR if not done correctly. Whoever setup our 70cm repeaters for both analog and DMR didn't get things right and we had nothing but issues with the entire setup.

[Lscott]

2 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I know when repeaters can have issues when setup for both analog and DMR if not done correctly. Whoever setup our 70cm repeaters for both analog and DMR didn't get things right and we had nothing but issues with the entire setup.

Then add in network linking things get more involved.

My pet peeve with DMR repeaters are the frequency of changing of supported talk groups and networks. Some are rather extensive systems. See attached file for an example. I've spent hours reworking some of my DMR radio codes plugs due to changes. Then a few weeks, or months later, it's all changed around again. Further trying to find the current configuration may not be easy. Some repeater owners/operators just changes things and don't document it. Some I've just given up on, too many changes.

While I like DMR the frequency of changes, and no coherent place to look for them, takes the shine off the mode. In fact it could turn people off to using it altogether.

N8NOE.pdf