RIC-3 - Information on the Amateur Radio Service

1. Qualifications

1.1 Certification

Authority to operate radio apparatus in the amateur radio service is issued to holders of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification.

Other qualifications available with the Amateur Radio Operator Certificate are Morse code and Advanced Qualifications.

Operating privileges are granted according to the level of achievement. Attaining honours scores (i.e. 80% or above) on the Basic examination or attaining qualifications in addition to the Basic Amateur Certificate will grant the amateur certificate holder certain additional operating privileges as specified in RIC-2, giving full access to the amateur frequency bands below 30 MHz (i.e. high frequency (HF)).

1.2 Certificate Equivalency

The holder of an Amateur Radio Operator's Certificate or the Amateur Radio Operator's Advanced Certificate issued under the repealed Radio Operator's Certificate Regulations has the same operating privileges as the holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic, Morse code and Advanced Qualifications.

The holder of an Amateur Digital Radio Operator's Certificate issued under the repealed Radio Operator's Certificate Regulations has the same operating privileges as the holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic and Advanced Qualifications.

Persons holding any of the following Canadian certificates may be issued an authorization to operate in the amateur radio service with the same operating privileges as the holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic, Morse code and Advanced Qualifications: 

• Radiocommunication Operator's General Certificate (Maritime)
• Radio Operator's First Class Certificate
• Radio Operator's Second Class Certificate

Persons holding any of the following Canadian certificates may be issued an authorization to operate in the amateur radio service with the same operating privileges as the holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification: 

• Radiotelephone Operator's General Certificate (Aeronautical)
• Radiotelephone Operator's General Certificate (Maritime)
• Radiotelephone Operator's General Certificate (Land)
• First-class Radioelectronic Certificate

Persons holding an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification issued prior to April 1, 2002 will be granted the same operating privileges as the holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Honours Qualification.

Persons holding an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification issued on or after April 1, 2002 will be granted the same operating privileges as the holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Honours Qualifications if they can demonstrate that they had attained a mark of 80% or above on their Basic examination.

1.3 General Criteria for Operation on HF Bands

Privileges granted to amateurs with an existing authorization will be based on the following criteria: 

(1) All Amateurs holding Basic and Advanced Qualifications will be allowed to operate on the HF bands below 30 MHz.

(2) Amateurs certified prior to April 2, 2002 will be allowed to operate on the HF bands below 30 MHz based on the experience and knowledge they will have acquired over this period of time.

(3) Amateurs certified after April 1, 2002, who have demonstrated a superior knowledge of operational, technical and regulatory requirements by achieving a mark on the Basic examination of 80% or above will be allowed to operate on the HF bands below 30 MHz.

1.4 Privileges and Restrictions

Privileges and restrictions can be found in the Radiocommunication Regulations and Radiocommunication Information Circular 2, Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service RIC-2). A brief summary follows:

Basic Qualification: 

• access all amateur bands above 30 MHz
• use a maximum of 250 watts DC transmitter input power
• build ¹ and operate all station equipment, except for "home-made" transmitters

Basic with honours (80% or above score) - access to all amateur bands below 30 MHz

Advanced Qualification: 

• access all amateur bands below 30 MHz
• use maximum transmitter power of 1000 watts DC input
• build and operate transmitting equipment
• establish repeaters and club stations
• remotely control fixed stations, including the use of radio links

Morse Code (with Basic or Basic and Advanced Certificate): 

• access to all amateur bands below 30 MHz

1.5 Non-Qualified Persons

Non-qualified persons may use an amateur radio station provided a qualified operator is in attendance to perform the control functions.

Footnote

1. "Build" in the context of the Basic Certificate is limited to the assembly of commercially available transmitter kits of professional design.