Tethering Bitcoin to WSJT for Network Resilience

These new digi-modes, originally inspired and developed by and for amateur radio and scientific pursuits, may have other significant professional applications.

"This past weekend at the Scaling Bitcoin 2017 conference at Stanford University, two individuals discussed a new method of providing the Bitcoin network with more censorship resistance by utilizing weak signal radio communications. Stanford University’s Elaine Ou (KM6NCF) and the computer scientist, Nick Szabo, introduced a project they are testing which secures consensus proofs with weak signal radio propagation."

https://news.bitcoin.com/bitcoin-and-weak-signals-bypass-network-censorship-with-radio/

73 de John - WØPV

 

After making the OP I browsed a bit more on the topic and learned that for several years amateur radio has been a focal point of the blockchain crypto currency movement. See example on link below. Quite a bit of discussion on Reddit and elsewhere too. If you want to see even more, Google is your friend.

http://kryptoradio.koodilehto.fi/

Of course current FCC Part 97 rules and regs regarding encryption and commercial activity could be a stumbling block in the USA, but its fascinating to see such innovative interest in and experimentation with using AR.

With all the recent hoopla from ARRL about integrating EMCOMM hams with FirstNet, this type of grass-roots prepper backup of an individuals future day-to-day finances may be just as or even more significant "when all else fails".

73 de John - WØPV

 

Fascinating! Thanks for posting this article.

The talk starts around 01:23:00 in the video linked in the article.

Overall I would say "pretty good for a first crack" but everything in the prototype can be vastly improved.

I don't think there's any issues about encryption, because the message is the bit coin hash, which is just a number and can be handled as plaintext.

 

Fantasy,Biitcoin uses gigaflops of data throughput to function. I don't think 13 characters per transmission will quite cut it.

 

Take the time to watch the video, all that is addressed. And it's not a 13 character protocol. Duh.

 

Ever download a ledger? It takes quite a while. Why wou'd this assist at all?

 

FT-8 = Message length: 75 bits + 12-bit CRC

 

Below is a link directly to the presentation video embedded in the OP article and referenced by others. It's five hours total (!) but the most HR relevant part is only about 30 minutes long, although you may want to look at more of it to better understand the application.

Start at 1:31:20 for the intro by the guy, then Elaine takes over at about 1:37:10 to talk about the protocol and signal processing. The guy comes back and concludes with the end at about 1:58:00.

 

Commercial financial transactions over amateur radio?

A blazing red flag that invites governments around the world to cancel amateur radio privileges.

 

They are not using any JT modes.

Again, watch the video and get informed before making comments.

 

That's addressed in the presentation.

Again, watch the video and get informed before making comments.

 

Yep! But it doesn't have to run over amateur frequencies, could be commercial frequencies. They used amateur frequencies (70cm!) For the prototype only.

Again, watch the video and get informed before making comments.

 

Yes. There is now a mandatory 5 hour delay between reading the original post before members will be allowed to reply, to allow them time to watch the video!!!

 

Sorry everyone for going on about it. I'm not defending their ideas (I think some of it is terrible). But I was reacting to the ignorant speculation, now I'm wondering what web site is this, Slashdot?!??

Ok I'll take a 5 hour moritorium from QRZ. maybe go outside with an HT..

 

It is rather silly to post a five hour lecture with minimal explanation and expect people to watch it before commenting. shrug.