GPS-NAV security sealing

Is there a way to input a security code in a Cambridge GPS_NAV and seal it
without spending hundreds of dollars?

Inquiring minds want to know.
Steve Michalik

Sam Discusflyer wrote:
Is there a way to input a security code in a Cambridge GPS_NAV and seal it
without spending hundreds of dollars?

May I assume that is what NK wants to charge you? It's a 15 minute job
if is nothing else is wrong with the unit. You can also try your local
authorized Cambridge dealer, but they'll have to call NK to get the
resealing code...

Marc

First, there is no way that you, an average Joe (Steve), can do this.
Everything to do with flight recorders must be secure so that you can
be in contests, set records, get badges or post to the OLC.

http://www.craggyaero.com/calibration.htm does reseals for $40 (which
isn't "hundreds of dollars").

- John

So humor me some education, and cost aside for the moment, why is it that
CraggyAero or John can do this? Is there some special procedure, some
special certification or training that is required by the FAI? What
ensures and/or audits a commercial operation who is using computer
software to set the security to ensure it is done properly? I want to
understand the difference between the average joe (me) and a commercial
operation doing this task that was / still is in some instances conducted
by the 'official observer' on paper?





At 09:20 26 August 2008, ContestID67 wrote:
First, there is no way that you, an average Joe (Steve), can do this.
Everything to do with flight recorders must be secure so that you can
be in contests, set records, get badges or post to the OLC.

http://www.craggyaero.com/calibration.htm does reseals for $40 (which
isn't "hundreds of dollars").

- John

On Aug 26, 6:39*am, Sam Discusflyer wrote:
I want to understand the difference between the average joe (me) and a commercial
operation doing this task that was / still is in some instances conducted
by the 'official observer' on paper?

What task is that?

The FR is a "secure" instrument that is protected by a variety of
methods to prevent tampering. The GPS-NAV is the oldest of these
devices and depends on an internal battery to keep the seal intact, so
this battery must be replaced regularly (for example, during
calibration). If the battery goes bad, then an authorized facility
must reseal the unit. This way, that facility is held responsible for
any "unusual" IGC files that may come out of this FR.

If 'any Joe' could seal the FR, then prior to sealing, the electronics
inside the unit could be modified or replaced by 'Joe', and nobody
would be the wiser. The OO would see a sealed FR, trust it to
generate a true record of the flight, and a valid IGC file would be
generated.

The OO ensures that the pilot and FR were actually onboard the same
glider at the same time, and that, to his best ability, no funny
business was performed by the pilot during the flight. Since the FR
is out of the OO's control during the flight, it must be sealed by a
3rd party, and that seal must not be modifiable by just anyone at any
time.

Yes, there are a lot of holes and vulnerabilities in this system, and
all sorts of interesting ways to hack it, but so far as we know, that
has not been done yet. And the bottom line, is that those are the
rules. If you don't like them, then you can lobby to change them.
But in the meantime, this is what we have.

-Tom

On Aug 26, 9:37*am, 5Z wrote:
On Aug 26, 6:39*am, Sam Discusflyer wrote:

I want to understand the difference between the average joe (me) and a commercial
operation doing this task that was / still is in some instances conducted
by the 'official observer' on paper?

What task is that?

The FR is a "secure" instrument that is protected by a variety of
methods to prevent tampering. *The GPS-NAV is the oldest of these
devices and depends on an internal battery to keep the seal intact, so
this battery must be replaced regularly (for example, during
calibration). *If the battery goes bad, then an authorized facility
must reseal the unit. *This way, that facility is held responsible for
any "unusual" IGC files that may come out of this FR.

If 'any Joe' could seal the FR, then prior to sealing, the electronics
inside the unit could be modified or replaced by 'Joe', and nobody
would be the wiser. *The OO would see a sealed FR, trust it to
generate a true record of the flight, and a valid IGC file would be
generated.

The OO ensures that the pilot and FR were actually onboard the same
glider at the same time, and that, to his best ability, no funny
business was performed by the pilot during the flight. *Since the FR
is out of the OO's control during the flight, it must be sealed by a
3rd party, and that seal must not be modifiable by just anyone at any
time.

Yes, there are a lot of holes and vulnerabilities in this system, and
all sorts of interesting ways to hack it, but so far as we know, that
has not been done yet. *And the bottom line, is that those are the
rules. *If you don't like them, then you can lobby to change them.
But in the meantime, this is what we have.

-Tom

OK I am relatively new to the Soaring world, but some of the security
protocols on these loggers seem a bit over the top. Was/is there so
much cheating and mistrust that all of these procedures are
neccessary? I realize that some assurance of not tampering with the
device is neccesary, but does it have to cost so damn much?

Pete

On Aug 26, 8:39 am, Sam Discusflyer wrote:
So humor me some education, and cost aside for the moment, why is it that
CraggyAero or John can do this? Is there some special procedure, some
special certification or training that is required by the FAI? What
ensures and/or audits a commercial operation who is using computer
software to set the security to ensure it is done properly? I want to
understand the difference between the average joe (me) and a commercial
operation doing this task that was / still is in some instances conducted
by the 'official observer' on paper?

At 09:20 26 August 2008, ContestID67 wrote:

First, there is no way that you, an average Joe (Steve), can do this.
Everything to do with flight recorders must be secure so that you can
be in contests, set records, get badges or post to the OLC.

http://www.craggyaero.com/calibration.htmdoes reseals for $40 (which
isn't "hundreds of dollars").

- John

Shhhhh !!
It is very important to maintain the illusion of security !!

See ya, Dave "YO electric"

PS: That's why Tim's reply is written with disappearing ink ;-)

On Aug 25, 10:54*pm, Sam Discusflyer
wrote:
Is there a way to input a security code in a Cambridge GPS_NAV and seal it
without spending hundreds of dollars?

Inquiring minds want to know.
Steve Michalik

Exact cost for 1 day turnaround by Gary at NK the week before last was
$130 including memory battery , calibration chart,and next day return
delivery.
My experience is that this is excellent service for a very fair price.
Certainly not the "hundreds of dollars" you seem to anticipate.
UH

Can't you change the internal battery before it gets real low without
breaking the seal?

wrote in message
...
On Aug 25, 10:54 pm, Sam Discusflyer
wrote:
Is there a way to input a security code in a Cambridge GPS_NAV and seal it
without spending hundreds of dollars?

Inquiring minds want to know.
Steve Michalik

Exact cost for 1 day turnaround by Gary at NK the week before last was
$130 including memory battery , calibration chart,and next day return
delivery.
My experience is that this is excellent service for a very fair price.
Certainly not the "hundreds of dollars" you seem to anticipate.
UH

Hi,

Yes, it is possible to change the backup battery without breaking the seal.
Just keep the unit powered with 12V power while replacing the backup
battery.

The customer that started this thread had the backup battery get too low and
die before it was replaced. The unit then had a security failure and needs
re-sealing.

Paul Remde

"Fred Blair" wrote in message
...
Can't you change the internal battery before it gets real low without
breaking the seal?

wrote in message
...
On Aug 25, 10:54 pm, Sam Discusflyer
wrote:
Is there a way to input a security code in a Cambridge GPS_NAV and seal
it
without spending hundreds of dollars?

Inquiring minds want to know.
Steve Michalik

Exact cost for 1 day turnaround by Gary at NK the week before last was
$130 including memory battery , calibration chart,and next day return
delivery.
My experience is that this is excellent service for a very fair price.
Certainly not the "hundreds of dollars" you seem to anticipate.
UH