WCARC West Carleton Amateur Radio Club

Home Executive VHF SSB Net Repeaters APRS Activities Projects Presentations Meetings
For Sale Links Contacts Events Membership Regulations Club History Minutes of Mtgs Beacons

Regulations

disclaimer: The purpose of this page is to bring changes in regulations to the attention of radio amateurs. West Carleton Amateur Radio Club and the web master accept no responsibility for the the accuracy of the information on these pages. If we have it wrong, please let us know.

Changes to 70cm Band - October 2009

RESTRUCTURING: CANADIAN HAMS TO SHARE WITH MILITARY SYSTEM ON 70 CM

Industry Canada has informed Radio Amateurs of Canada that it has authorized the Department of National Defense to use a digital system called Enhanced Position Location Reporting System or EPLRS in the 430 to 450 MHz shared 70 centimeter band. The EPLRS system consists of mobile, fixed, transportable and airborne stations that use 5 MHz-wide spread spectrum channels to provide strategic telemetry information for military platforms.

This authorization is on a no-protection, non-interference basis, which means that no new restrictions will be imposed on Canadian amateur operations in this band as a result. Industry Canada says that there is a slight chance of minor interference to amateur radio systems. Typically in the form of a minor audible clicking noise. If Canadian amateurs encounter such interference, they are requested to report it by e-mail to Radio Amateurs of Canada at regulatory at rac dot ca. The information reported should include the geographical location, date, time, frequency and mode being used by the amateur station, and a description of the interference. (RAC)


Changes to Mobile Operation as Related to Hands Free Operation - As of October 2009

This week, new legislation has been passed in Ontario regarding the use of communications devices in Ontario, which includes both cell phones and amateur radio in mobile communications. The regulations take effect October 26th, 2009. In reading the regulation, it appears that amateurs are exempt until 2013. I guess if we operate, we better carry a copy of our licence.

The Toronto FM Communications Society had a director, Neil VE3SST representing the amateur radio operators with the government authorities during the preparation and tabling of this new legislation, and the websites below were forwarded by TFMCS. They are:

MOT- Ministry of Transportation
http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2009/09/ontarios-new-rules-for-hand-held-wireless-and-entertainment-devices.html

Ontario Regulation 366/09 of the HTA or Highway Traffic Act
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2009/elaws_src_regs_r09366_e.htm

RAC or Radio Amateurs of Canada Blog
http://racblog.wordpress.com/
[Web master's Note: Further to above, RAC Bulletin 2011-034E, entitled RAC Distracted Driving Committee meets with MTO Officials 2011-10-27 has been issued to Radio Amateurs. This bulletin describes RAC meetings with Provincial Government officials and states that Ontario has committed to consult with RAC early in the New Year (i.e. 2012) on this matter so a permanent solution can be found prior to January 2013.]

Tower Restrictions in Ottawa


In 2008 Ottawa City Council added sections to its zoning by-law that set controls on "tower antennas".

See the following:
http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/residents/bylaw/a_z/zoning/parts/pdf/pt_02_en.pdf
http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/residents/bylaw/a_z/zoning/parts/pdf/pt_05_en.pdf

The City has recently noted (see http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/antenna/index_en.html) that "the regulation of antenna systems falls under federal jurisdiction and Industry Canada approves and licences the operation and location of antenna systems. As part of this approval process Industry Canada requires proponents to consult municipalities and the public on potential land use conflicts. Municipalities are free to develop their own municipal and public consultation processes, in keeping with the Industry Canada regulatory framework."

Industry Canada's Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-0-03 entitled "Radiotelecommunications and Broadcasting Antenna Systems" (see http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf08777.html#contents) sets the regulatory framework. These regulations and procedures apply to all antenna systems and the Industry Canada document recognizes that some antennas or changes to antennas are less significant and so are exempt from the requirement to consult. For example, among other exemptions, the IC document notes that new antenna systems of less than 15m height or additions to existing antennas that increase their height by less than 25% are exempt. Industry Canada outlines a "default public consultation process" to be followed where municipalities have not developed their own consultation process and encourages municipalities to develop their own process. Some municipalities have added exemptions or simplified consultation processes.

City of Ottawa official discussed the Ottawa Antenna Policy and proposed consultation and concurrence process (see http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/antenna/policy_en.html) with WCARC members at the October 2011 meeting. Members of the executives of amateur radio clubs across Ottawa have met to review the proposed process, provided written comments to the city and met with City officials. Andy Hart (VE3NVK) has represented WCARC and Glenn MacDonell (VE3XRA) also participates. We will see whether these comments have influenced the proposal when it is presented to the the Planning Committee, likely near the end of November. It will also be considered by the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and, if approved by these two committees, be sent to Ottawa City Council for final approval.


Home Back to WCARC Home Page

This page was updated on October 30, 2011 and is Copyright © 2004-2011 by West Carleton Amateur Radio Club