Amateur Licence FAQ
courtesy Radio Amateurs of Canada

Q - Where can I obtain information on the requirements for an amateur radio licence?

A - The information is contained in Industry Canada documents RIC-2, RIC-24 and RIC-25 available on the Industry Canada web site.

Q - I am going to be absent from Canada for an extended period. Will Industry Canada send my licence renewal to my overseas address?

A- Yes. you should notify Industry Canada of the mailing address for your renewal notice. You must retain a Canadian address for your Station Licence.

Q - How do I find out what call signs are available?

A - RAC maintains the official call sign data base for Industry Canada on it's web site. At present it is updated every Sunday. Use the search engine to determine if the call signs in which you are interested have been issued.

Q - For how long are the Canadian Amateur Radio Certificates and Station Licence valid?

A - The Amateur Radio Certificates are valid for your lifetime. Your Station Licence must be renewed yearly and is valid until the end of the fiscal year in which it is issued, that is, to 31 March. Industry Canada automatically sends you a renewal notice in January or February.

Q - I hold a Canadian Amateur Radio Certificate but have not had a Station Licence for several years. What do I have to do to get a Station Licence and call sign?

A - You can go in person to your nearest Industry Canada District Office, taking your Certificate and identification with you. A Radio Inspector will assist you in selecting a call sign and in completing the application form.

Alternatively, if you are unable to go to a district Office in person, write the District Office nearest you, providing your Certificate number and date, your full name and birth date, your preferences (if you have any) for three call signs in order of priority (see Question 3, above) and a cheque or money order for $27.00.

Q - Where is the Industry Canada District Office nearest to me?

A - See RIC-66 available on the Industry Canada web site.

Q - Do I have to be a Canadian citizen to have a Canadian Amateur Radio Licence?

A - No, but you must have a Canadian address for your Station Licence and call sign. (Licences and call signs are assigned to a station at a specific location, not an individual.)

Q - How can I find out the Certificate level of a radio amateur whose call sign I know?

A - You can obtain this information from your Industry Canada District Office with appropriate justification for your request. RAC hopes that it will eventually be able to include this information in the Call Sign Data Base.

Q - I hold an amateur radio certificate with only a Basic qualification. May I transmit between 29.5 and 29.7 MHz into a 10 metre FM repeater?

A - No. Amateur radio operators having only the Basic qualification cannot transmit between 29.5 and 29.7 MHz on any mode unless they hold both Basic and 12 wpm qualifications.

Q - I hold an amateur radio certificate with only a Basic qualification. May I transmit into a 2 metre voice repeater which outputs in the 29.5-29.7 sub-band on 10 metres?

A - Yes. The Basic qualification permits you to transmit on 2 metres. The 2 metre voice repeater which outputs from 29.5 - 29.7 MHz would be licensed to an amateur who also would have the qualifications necessary to transmit on 10 metres, and who must be in control of the repeater. In order to install and operate a repeater on 10 metres, the repeater licensee must be the holder of the Basic, 12 wpm and Advanced qualifications. The licensee is permitted to link a 29.5-29.7 MHz output repeater with a VHF or UHF repeater without concern for the user qualifications.

However a licensee is not permitted to allow you to remote control his station or to repeat your signals below 29.5 MHz unless you hold qualifications to transmit below 29.5 MHz.

Q - I hold an amateur radio certificate with only a Basic qualification. Can I set up and operate a radiotelephone repeater with 70 cm input and 2m output?

A - Yes. Section 44 of the Radiocommunication Regulations stipulates that an Advanced qualification must be held only by the licensee of a voice repeater repeating in the same band.

Q - I hold an amateur radio certificate with only a Basic qualification. May I set up and operate a digital repeater (digipeater) on the 2 metre or 70 cm band?

A - Yes. The holder of a Basic qualification can be the licensee for a digital repeater on the VHF and higher bands. Section 44 of the Radiocommunication Regulations stipulates that an Advanced qualification must be held only by the licensee of a voice repeater repeating in the same frequency band.

Q - I am the holder of a Basic Amateur Radio Certificate. I own two dual-band tranceivers, one of which I use as a base station and one as a mobile station. Am I allowed to to use the mobile radio as a one way or two way cross-band repeater?

A - Yes. In accordance with the section 44 of the Radicommunication Regulations, you are permitted to use your equipment as a cross band repeater; that is to say, that it has its input frequency on one band and output on another.
Section 44 states that the licensee of a voice repeater with input and output on the same band must be the holder of an Advanced qualification.