Re: [Paddlewise] Just received my Icom m32.

On 15 Apr 2005 at 8:34, Dave Kruger wrote:

> I have a license because I 
> got my VHF 10 years ago, but I no longer carry it to Canada.  CCG is
> happy to respond to your emergency calls without asking first if you
> have a license. And, at launches and on the water, nobody is checking.
>  If you abused Channel 16, then I bet they would ticket you and
> confiscate the radio.

I was thinking about this over the weekend and thought I'd just add 
that in Canada, penalties do go up to $5000 fine and/or up to 12 
months imprisonment for operation of a radio in the marine bands 
without an operator's certificate.  

You can use one without a cwertificate, but it's not a good idea to 
counsel or appear to counsel someone to not get one.  You can drive a 
car without a license in Canada - but don't get caught.  

Given the potential penalties and the low cost and minimal difficulty 
of getting a certificate, it's worthwhile getting one.  The course I 
took covered a lot of useful information that I haven't seen on the 
web in one concise document.  The instructors were able to answer 
questions that I haven't seen answered on the web as well.  That 
alone makes the cost of the course worthwhile.

Mike
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