(Warning: I tend to ramble when I've had a couple drinks)
I think they are both right: From my interpretations of their posts snapshot and badshotbob agree with each other.
In post #86 snapshot quotes a regulation that translates to: Anyone can use a ham radio as long as they are supervised by a license holder. While not explicitly stated in the rule that snapshot quoted, the corollary of that rule is that an unlicensed person is not permitted to transmit unless a licensed person is babysitting them (able to stop a transmission if things go sour). At least, that is the way it was taught to me when I took my ham classes and I recall reading a lot of material on the IC website reinforcing this point.
Post #86
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum...1#post12842014
In post #88 badshotbob says that the scenario that surplusshooter was inquiring about would be illegal:
(don't confuse surplusshooter with snapshot)
Post #88
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum...1#post12842124
Surplus shooter asked the question of whether or not it was OK for him to give radios to unlicensed users so they could communicate with him remotely. The rules say that the only way unlicensed people can legally transmit on ham radio frequencies is when they are directly supervised by a licensed operator(the "control" operator). So, from what I have been taught and read; I agree with badshotbobs opinion that the proposed scenario is illegal.
Anyway, I've done a lot of reading on this topic and everything I've seen reinforces that IC is against unlicensed users TX'ing if unsupervised. And, supervision translates to having a trained person(license holder ) able to step in and stop things if the untrained person starts breaking rules. This is a common theme throughout the international amateur radio scene and it is meant to keep the airwaves less chaotic and more usable/functional.
Now, Canada is a fantastic place to live and there are no restrictions on the sale of transmitters like these baofengs to the general public. So, anyone can buy one of these radios and benefit from them(or abuse them). If used sensibly you may never have to worry about getting fined. But, if someone makes a nuisance of themselves, IC has the authority to penalize/punish them. And, there are some guys out there who make a game out of trying to track down unlicensed users.
As for my personal stance on all of this: if someone is abusing a repeater, interfering with a net, or otherwise messing with lawful radio users, I'd want that person tracked down and taken off the air and I might offer to help with the tracking effort if I could. But, I'm not going to dump on someone who's calling out the KM markers on a logging road and I'd put no effort into chasing someone running simplex on a 5 watt UHF hand held in the deep back woods.
Oh, and from what I recall the laws are written so that in times of emergency life/safety issues supersede IC radio regulations. ie. If you are in the woods with a ham radio and your hunting buddy has a heart attack, f**k the legislation and call for help however you can. In this scenario a Baofeng could be a life saver. But, on that note, if you take the ham radio course and get your amateur license you might just learn how to properly use your radio and that would make it far more likely that you'd succeed in finding & tripping a repeater which in turn would give you the ability to call for long distance help. If you just buy one of these radios and stick it in your glovebox there is very little chance you'll be able to pull it out in an emergency and use it unless you had some training and practice(or radio config help). So, I encourage folks to take the course, get legal, and move on...
Crap, that was way to much typing. I should have stopped at "I think they are both right"...
Originally Posted by Canadian_Zuk
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