Radio Quals?

[AJ. Adventures]

Hello,
I’m looking to branch out my expeditions further and some of the areas require a vhf/uhf dual band radio. I know anyone can buy them off of Amazon and such but do you need a license to operate? I have my radio operator license for flying and I know that’s different but do I need a Ham radio license for driving?

This isn’t about land/road use permissions, just curious about radios quals needed.

Thanks!

 

[JeepingMike]

Hello,
I’m looking to branch out my expeditions further and some of the areas require a vhf/uhf dual band radio. I know anyone can buy them off of Amazon and such but do you need a license to operate? I have my radio operator license for flying and I know that’s different but do I need a Ham radio license for driving?

This isn’t about land/road use permissions, just curious about radios quals needed.

Thanks!

Primarily (other than CB) there are two areas of radio comms to consider, amateur radio (ham radio) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service). Both require an FCC license to transmit. Amateur radio is a free license (so far) with a written test requirement and GMRS is $35 with no test. There are several threads here in the Overland Communications forums comparing the two. Personally I believe ham provides more options, but I do have both in my Jeep.

Edit: I just realized you're in Canada. I do not know what the rules for radio services are in Canada, this info is for the USA.

 

[Prerunner1982]

I am not sure Canada has any other license free radio services other than CB and GMRS.
And since GMRS in Canada is a 2w handheld I would image any mobile VHF/UHF radio would require a license.
In the US the VHF/UHF radio would also require an amateur radio license either from US or Canada (operating under US requirements) unless the radio is certified for another license free radio service (MURS) which is HIGHLY unlikely.

 

[That_kl_cherokee]

Well depends on where you’re located I know where I’m from in Canada you don’t require a license for cb but in Ontario you do me and my buddies all got cbs in our rigs whether it’s a car, jeep or truck. I’d check the federal government site for ham radio and other radio com devices I don’t believe ham requires a license where I’m from but I’m not 100% sure cb works wonders with us and we don’t see a reason for anything else

 

[Prerunner1982]

Noah do you have any documentation regarding licensing being required in some parts of Canada but not others for both CB and amateur radio?

Like in the US, radio frequencies/use is regulated by a government agency. In this case Industry Canada and I am unable to locate any documentation noting such various licensing requirements.

CB (unlicensed): RIC-18 — General Radio Service (GRS) - Spectrum management and telecommunications
Amateur Radio (licensed): Amateur Certification — Fact Sheet - Spectrum management and telecommunications

 

[AJ. Adventures]

Noah do you have any documentation regarding licensing being required in some parts of Canada but not others for both CB and amateur radio?

So I got it figured out. I do have a CB and where I am (alberta) you don’t need a license. But I did just get a dual band vhf/uhf radio that I have to get an amateur license for. I just finished a course and will write my test soon and get a call sign. It was a lot of information!

Thanks for your help!

 

[DaPyrate]

It looks like a GMRS license is not required in Canada but an Amateur (Ham) Radio License is. Here is the link to Amateur Certification Fact Sheet.

Amateur Certification — Fact Sheet

The Amateur Radio Operator Certificate is the sole authorization required to operate amateur radio apparatus in the amateur radio service. This Fact Sheet explains how to obtain a certificate and call sign.

www.ic.gc.ca