bobdbldr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
1-2k,,,, you could almost holler that far! But then everyone would hear you!
New Product Announcement - 2 way radios
- Thread starter Canada Ammo
- Start date
Exactly.
I did not buy my Baofeng Radios until I realized during the flooding in Calgary getting a cell call was next to impossible.
Now I have radios in my truck and home, at least a person would have some contact if things get goofy.
On the topic of civil emergencies like the Calgary flooding... For those of you who are civic minded and who are licensed radio amateurs(or looking to become licensed) and living in the lower mainland: You may want to look into volunteering with VECTOR(http://vectorradio.ca/). The City of Vancouver has a close association with VECTOR and there are plenty of opportunities to do volunteer work outside of a civil emergency(doing communication support work for the fireworks, sun run, and other large civic events). You'll need your amatuer radio license(you can take the course through Vector), you'll need a criminal background check(You're a firearms owner so that shouldn't be a problem), and you'll want a radio(One of these Baofeng UV-5R's is a very inexpensive way to get started).
You can still by inexpensive "walkie talkies" with no baggage.
These units CanAm is selling are not inexpensive "walkie talkies", they are very inexpensive Chinese, VHF/UHF DualBand Handheld Amateur HAM Radio Tranceivers.
Similar performance in a Japanese build were $500 not that long ago and even more for a basic 2 or 3 channel non programmable radio before that.
czechsanchez
Regular
- Location
- Fraser Valley
definitely worth getting a ham operator license to use these at their max potential.... You also get cool license plates with your callsign that keep cops off your ass (not by law or anything, but if they see you in the backwoods with HAM plates, they usually just assume you're a stand-up member of society)
bah ha ha, too funny
Bad Lieutenant
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- GTA
I think he was saying that to join that group (vector) you need to get a licence and background check, not that you needed them just to buy a radio.
Either way, I have an RPAL and an RRO, so I'm good to go.
Bad Lieutenant
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- GTA
Crazy... LOL!!
Bad Lieutenant
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- GTA
Hmm... for some reason I just started thinking about that old Christian Slater movie, "Pump Up The Volume" (1990)
Bad Lieutenant
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- GTA
You sure? It doesn't appear to be "illegal" according to IC.
Deckard
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chumperistani Gulag
Hmm... for some reason I just started thinking about that old Christian Slater movie, "Pump Up The Volume" (1990)
I keep thinking of WWII movies where the Nazis are looking for a radio used by the Resistance. The fear is the neighbor ratting you out.
Exactly.
I did not buy my Baofeng Radios until I realized during the flooding in Calgary getting a cell call was next to impossible.
Now I have radios in my truck and home, at least a person would have some contact if things get goofy.
Same here. Mine are programmed to the Toronto Police radio room "all call channel" (the non encrypted channel they use to the other regional forces), the Coast Guard SAR channels, weather and traffic reporting agency's, and the radios also pick up several over the air TV broadcasts. If the power is out, you can still listen to the news. And call for help if you have to.
Here is a link to IC's list of exam questions for their amateur radio license exam:
http://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/datafiles/amateur_basic_questions_en.pdf
Here's a link to a study guide:
http://www.hamstudy.com/freebasic/b-001-9.html
Some of the questions in section B-001-009 address the question of the supervision required for unlicensed users to operate ham radios.
In particular, questions B-001-009-005, B-001-009-006, B-001-009-007, and B-001-009-008 apply to the question of who is allowed to transmit.
Don't get confused by the use of the term "station" in the questions above: A handheld transceiver is considered a station:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_station#Handheld_stations
TriggerTime
Regular
- Location
- by da bay b'y
Had two VX-5's and have a UV-5R. For the price difference you'll get better intermod rejection, which really only makes a difference in the city. If this is going to just be a hunting tool, save the money for other gear.
Hoakster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- S.W. Bantario
5 ordered.
Thanks, CanAm!
Thanks, CanAm!
Bad Lieutenant
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- GTA
Appreciate the reply, but can you just give the gist of it? Who's right? 'snapshot' or 'badshotbob'...?
Chumlee Bumsnag
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- BC
I plan on only using these for ham repeaters. If you're hunting and get in trouble, being able to access a repeater can extend your range by entire regions.
VE7FXY
VE7FXY
(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/foru...way-radios?p=12842014&viewfull=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/foru...way-radios?p=12842124&viewfull=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"...
