Post by va3css on Dec 5, 2006 22:18:28 GMT -5
Since Industry Canada removed the mandatory requirement for the Morse Qualification for access to the HF bands below 30 MHz on July 22, 2005, there has been confusion as to whether amateurs with a "Basic Plus" qualification (without Morse Code) are permitted to use the HF bands in other countries.
A spokesperson for the FCC´s Amateur Division has clarified the
situation regarding the Reciprocal Operating Agreement between
Canada and the United States:
- A Canadian Basic Plus licensed operator located within the US, US-controlled territories or US territorial waters has the same HF
privileges as in Canada, insofar as those privileges do not exceed those granted to US Extra Class amateurs.
A Canadian licensed operator operating within the US or US waters must comply with US regulations for the Amateur Radio Service. Their operating privileges can be no more than those of a US Extra Class Amateur. This means that Canadian amateurs in the US cannot, for example, use SSB below 7150 KHz on the 40 meter band, as they are able to do in Canada or in international waters.
Industry Canada has confirmed that this statement is consistent with IC´s understanding of the reciprocal operating treaty between Canada and the US.
The situation in other countries varies from country to country. Many countries have still retained the Morse requirement for HF, and some countries continue to require a Morse qualification for HF operation by amateurs visiting from other countries. Basic Plus operators planning to visit countries other than the US and wishing to operate on HF while travelling should contact the regulatory authorities in those countries before leaving Canada.
A spokesperson for the FCC´s Amateur Division has clarified the
situation regarding the Reciprocal Operating Agreement between
Canada and the United States:
- A Canadian Basic Plus licensed operator located within the US, US-controlled territories or US territorial waters has the same HF
privileges as in Canada, insofar as those privileges do not exceed those granted to US Extra Class amateurs.
A Canadian licensed operator operating within the US or US waters must comply with US regulations for the Amateur Radio Service. Their operating privileges can be no more than those of a US Extra Class Amateur. This means that Canadian amateurs in the US cannot, for example, use SSB below 7150 KHz on the 40 meter band, as they are able to do in Canada or in international waters.
Industry Canada has confirmed that this statement is consistent with IC´s understanding of the reciprocal operating treaty between Canada and the US.
The situation in other countries varies from country to country. Many countries have still retained the Morse requirement for HF, and some countries continue to require a Morse qualification for HF operation by amateurs visiting from other countries. Basic Plus operators planning to visit countries other than the US and wishing to operate on HF while travelling should contact the regulatory authorities in those countries before leaving Canada.
So, in a nutshell, if you've been grandfathered into legal HF access as a result of the recent changes to Canada's rules, you will still be able to use the HF bands while visiting in the U.S.
The exception being that in the U.S., SSB phone communication is not allowed below 7150 KHz on the 40 meter band, even for Extra class operators. Under the reciprocal operating agreement, no visiting licensed operator can supercede the access that Extra Class operators have. So, for that reason, Canadians who may be used to being able to operate 40M phone below 7150 Khz in Canada, won't be able to while visiting the States.
Makes sense. If their own highest class can't operate that mode in that area of the band, then neither should visitors.
