How to convert key pair from binary file to text file?

Question

I have a gpg keypair (2048 RSA) in binary file: a.pub and a.sec, now I want to convert it to text format, how to do that?

Answer 1

For a text/ASCII dump (armored output) of the public key, 'gpg --export -a'.
Read up GnuPG for more.
Also see, Linux Journal GnuPG Hacks.

Answer 2

To convert the keys without importing them:

To wrap a file in PGP ASCII armor, type:

$ gpg --enarmor < filename.bin > filename.txt

To unwrap a file already in PGP ASCII armor, type:

$ gpg --dearmor < filename.txt > filename.bin

http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8732 (thanks to @nik)