Hi Nate
Among the changes they now permit the Encoding, for the purpose of Obscuring the meaning, of control signals for Amateur Satellites or unattended stations.
All I have to say to this is FINALLY...
Now, signals encoded for the purpose of obscuring the meaning may be used for controlling a satellite or an unattended amateur stations or in emergency operations.
Another VERY important piece of this: Can also be used for emergency operations TRAINING. (Train like you're going to fight... so to speak.)
I am not sure what the purpose of obscuring the meaning is. For command and control, is a digital signature not sufficient? Implemented with a continually changing challenge-response combined with a private key, this would prevent the resending of recorded commands doing damage.
The only reason I can see for encryption is to protect NPPI data during emergencies, but I don't understand why it's needed for command and control.
Of course, there may be another reason for obsuring the meaning that I've missed!
73, Howard G6LVB