What does the realm of forbidden knowledge imply?

[oh2lna]

Being a newbie, with two obvious problems on my XTS3k, the one with encryption and the other with model one personality number limitations, I'm somewhat discomfited with the possible implementations of the realm of the forbidden knowledge solving those problems.

Say I put a 1C5E flash in my radio to solve these issues. Does that mean that I could theoretically run into legal problems on a trip to the USA with that kind of flash, while carrying the transceiver around? Being convicted for possessing stolen software, or something like that?

And how about the model modifications then, like model one to model three conversion hacks? Are they generally being considered as something not permitted, maybe breaking an occasional user licence or even a state law?

Or is the XTS3000 already generally being treated as obsoleted hardware, so that it's just fair use to hack it around at will as much as one may will?

[wavetar]

That's just Elroy's overly dramatic way of saying one generally needs Motorola proprietary LAB or Depot software in order to do things such as forcing in a new flashcode, or changing a Model I to a Model III. The act of hacking your radio isn't so much illegal, but having the software which was only intended for internal distribution within Motorola is.

Todd

[oh2lna]

The act of hacking your radio isn't so much illegal, but having the software which was only intended for internal distribution within Motorola is.

Oh, ok. So the bare act of possessing a second hand deep hacked XTS3000 and using it in a day to day basis for properly licenced ham radio operation might not be that illegal after all?

Would it be possible that such a use case wouldn't violate any user licence between me and the big /\/\ either? Just being gratuitously optimistic in here.

Jari, OH2LNA

[PhillyPhoto]

Well if, and it's a big if, you were to have your radio confiscated (for whatever reason) and it was to be read, and they noticed the serial numbers don't match, and you have a flash code typical of hacked radios, they might want to know how the radio was modified, and thus more questioning. But if you were using it for HAM only, or receive-only on public safety, you should be alright. The real problem lies in you using software made to stay inside Motorola, like the others have said. So it's not something people like to go around advertising here, and asking for it, or where to get it will get you suspended or removed I would imagine.

Also, about the model III hack, you'd probably be better off getting the model III hardware to take advantage of all the features (Locking the radio, unlimited calling, more than 3 zones, etc). panter88 on ebay has cases for about $50, but you'd have to make sure he can ship to you. Then just throw up a post for model III guts in the FS/FT forum here. $50 for the case, $50 for the keyboard, ~$80 for the LCD.

[Pj]

Essentially, unless you are selling copyrighted Motorola software, handing out system keys for trunking systems, or the like, selling services on "upgrading" people or agencies radios etc, then you can be on the hook.

Possessing a radio that has been hacked, you have nothing to worry about. However, if you have to send the radio back to the Motorola repair facility for whatever reason, the serial numbers, or invalid flashcodes may cause headaches. They cannot legally take your radio, but you may have a good fight on your hands getting it back.

Search the archives for the person "Nick". He was selling XTS3000's to a police department for less than what Motorola offered to sell them at. A portion of the case was dropped against him, but he was "jackpotted" more for having unreleased Motorola software (lab) and using it to create radio options and reselling them.

For the most part, Motorola could care less about the ham/enthusiast users. When "hacked radios" are sold to public safety (espeically to trunked system users), they tend to take notice. The Motorola factory is the only outlet for properly flashed new radios to their customers. So when a customer says "we bought this new from Joe Blow", and Joe Blow is some guy in his basement, Moto gets upset.