The call sign is assigned to you with a station licence (issued for a vessel, needs renewal, costs fee). This is a total different thing from the operators permit (issued for a person for life). Recreational boaters don't need a station licence on Canadian waters to operate a VHF (just the operators permit), therefore they don't have a call sign and use just the boats name (Sailboat Greenback, Seakayak Seaspirit, ....). Most add the type of boat to make clear what kind of boat is calling. Outside Canadian waters and for foreigners on Canadian waters this may be a different story, i.e. a station licence may be required, but I think between Canada and the US there are bilateral agreements, so as long as you fullfil your national requirements you should be fine.. Most other contries require a station licence for everybody, so if I would go paddling in Europe, and I would like to use my VHF I would need a station licence (and need my operators permit to get one?) issued by Industry Canada, then I would have a call sign (RQX125.....) -and likely still have problems using my handheld legally. Using a VHF without the required paperwork? I guess it is only a risk if the radio is abused or violates other restrictions. As long as people behave like licenced ones there should be no problem, and if you misbehave having licence (operator's certificate) may make things worse for you.... Most people here (Nova Scotia) use 16 for hailing and then switch to a free working channel. Ulli *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On 18 May 2004 at 12:06, Ulli Hoeger wrote: > Using a VHF without the required paperwork? I guess it is only a risk > if the radio is abused or violates other restrictions. As long as > people behave like licenced ones there should be no problem And for all the trouble of learning to behave like a licensed operator, you can get your license. The only difference between knowing and knowing-with-a-license is taking the exam and paying the fees. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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