Comments on: INTRUDER ALERT (now everyone knows)

By: Intruder Alert- The FINAL word… « VA3QV's Weblog

Intruder Alert- The FINAL word… « VA3QV's Weblog — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:07:58 +0000

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By: gordon

gordon — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 19:54:50 +0000

I believe the only way to get on the amateur bands as a new user now is to have an amateur license, but it appears there are other certificates that could, at least in the past, operate on amateur bands without having an amateur license. It appears that IC isn't issuing those certificates any more, but if someone still has one that is valid (did they have expiry dates?) then they could, in theory, legally operate in the amateur bands. I'm not a lawyer, but that seems to be what Section 42 suggests.

By: Tim VE3UO

Tim VE3UO — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 19:48:32 +0000

I’m no expert by any means, but isn’t one also required to have an amateur callsign in order to operate in amateur bands? It’s all well and good to have one of the certificates listed above, but I believe you must identify with an amateur callsign as well.

By: gordon

gordon — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:55:36 +0000

And this is where more reading is required. When hunting down information about some of the other certificates mentioned, it appears that they are old certifications that are no longer issued or supported, according to RIC-16:
7. Certificates No Longer Issued

The following certificates are no longer relevant, supported or issued or reissued (validated):
Certificate of Proficiency in Radio First Class — FIRST CLASS
Certificate of Proficiency in Radio Second Class — SECOND CLASS
Radiotelephone Operator’s General Certificate (Maritime) — ROG(M)
Radiotelephone Operator’s General Certificate (Aeronautical) — ROG(A)
Radiotelephone Operator’s General Certificate (Land) — ROG(L)
Radiotelephone Operator’s Restricted Certificate (Maritime) — ROR(M)
Radiotelephone Operator’s Restricted Certificate (Land) — ROR(L)
Coast Guard Radiotelephone Operator’s Certificate — CGRO R/T
Coast Guard Radiotelegraph Operator’s Certificate — CGRO W/T
Radiotelephone Operator’s Restricted Certificate (Compulsory) — ROR(C)
Radiotelephone Operator’s Restricted Certificate (Voluntary) — ROR(V)

Pilots are supposed to have an ROR(A), if I recall correctly, and that’s not on the list in Sectoin 42.

Aren’t laws fun?

By: gordon

gordon — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:49:48 +0000

I’ve been following this and I’m not happy about this situation, either. However, I read elsewhere (eham perhaps?) that the Radiocommunication Regulations (SOR/96-484) [http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-484/index.html] has some surprising bits in section 42:
Operation in the Amateur Radio Service
Operating Qualifications

42. An individual may operate radio apparatus in the amateur radio service if the individual is the holder of one or more of the following certificates or licences:

(a) an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification;

(b) a Radiocommunication Operator General Certificate (Maritime);

(c) a Radio Operator’s First Class Certificate;

(d) a Radio Operator’s Second Class Certificate;

(e) a Radiotelephone Operator’s General Certificate (Aeronautical);

(f) a Radiotelephone Operator’s General Certificate (Maritime);

(g) a Radiotelephone Operator’s General Certificate (Land);

(h) a First-Class Radioelectronic Certificate;

(i) a radio licence in the amateur radio service and an amateur radio operator authorization, issued by the responsible administration of a country other than Canada, if

(i) the individual is a citizen of that country, and

(ii) a reciprocal arrangement that allows similar privileges to Canadians exists between that other country and Canada; and

(j) a radio licence for a radio station in the amateur radio service issued to a citizen of the United States by the Government of the United States.

Now, it’s dangeous to pull one section out of a regulation because there’s no context and there could be other parts in the regulation that cover the apparent inconsistency. However, Section 42 does seem to imply that people with something other than an amateur radio license can operate a radio in the amateur portion of the spectrum.

It would be interesting to have RAC’s regulatory person comment on this.