Scanner Use in Canada
- Thread starter ceranes
- Start date
- Status
KR4BD
Member
In my experience, Ham Radio Operators should have NO problems in Canada. I have driven into Canada at several different points of entry over the years and the border guards could clearly see all my ham rigs and antennas and never said a thing. However, one time, at Sault Ste. Marie, I was selected for their big, 20 minute "shake down" where they made everyone get out of the car (a Chevy Astro Van) and they took EVERYTHING out and opened it. They checked every compartment, spare tire, opened suitcases, had a dog sniff things, etc. I had plenty of exposed radio gear including a handheld scanner in clear view in the door compartment (which was not on at the time), but they just went right over that stuff. At the end of the search, they told me they were looking for drugs, guns and ammunition. Canada and the U.S. have totally reciprocal agreements in regard to ham radio operators, so you probably would not have a problem with radios. Just have a bunch of ham frequencies programmed into your scanner to be safe and be sure you have your ham license in case they want to see it. :wink:
As was stated in another thread: "having a scanner in Canada is AOK,.. having a digital capable scanner requires a permit"
mlevin
Member
If I'm coming from the US with a digital scanner do I need to get a permit? Or do I need to get a ham liscense first.
Yopu will need to apply for the permit to have a digital capable scanner in Canada. HAM is a totally separate issue, no matter how many HAM tickets you hold,,... you MUST have a permit to own/operate a digital scanner in Canada. All non digital scanners are totally legal HAM or no HAM.
mlevin
Member
Darn. How the heck do I apply for a permit. I want to be able to bring the 96 along.
PM Mike Oxlong for more info .. or you could try contacting the RCMP.
MilBil
Member
Dig. Scanner Permit .
Here is a bit of info for you Mo .
http://www.radioworld.ca/upload/digitalscan.pdf
Here is a bit of info for you Mo .
http://www.radioworld.ca/upload/digitalscan.pdf
mlevin
Member
I got a 96 does that make a difference being that it pertains directly to the 250 and 750?
scnnr
Member
mlevin said:
Guys, I live in Canada, have all my life. I have been scanning for well over 20yrs, don't have a ham licence or any other kind of licence. I travel back and forth between Canada and the U.S. all the time with one of my scanners in tow, and have never in my life had a hard time with any of the things that you are fretting about. That includes the newer pro96
When you are crossing the border, no matter what side you are on, turn the radio off, put it in the glove box or in a knapsck on the seat or something. 9 times out of 10 nobody will even question you about it
Randy
I wouldn't worry about bringing your scanner (digital or not) into Canada.
The laws that seem to pertain to digital scanners are actually an Internal Policy Circular from Industry Canada. They were issued years ago to protect the cellular industry. People are now trying to apply these laws to apco25 digital scanners.
People have tried to apply for a permit to own a digital scanner but so far nobody (including Industry Canada) have figured out which document you need.
As well, the IPC states that you need a digital scanner which has received a Type Acceptance Certificate (TAC) for digital scanners. Since no digital scanner manufacturer has applied for this TAC, there are currently no digital scanners which you could possess with this licence.
Radioworld in Toronto is currently asking purchasers of digital scanners to sign a statement saying they qualify to possess such a scanner under one of the exemptions. Most people are ticking off the "amateur radio operator" exemption whether they are an amateur or not. The IPC has a list of people who qualify for an exemption and amateur radio operators qualify.
Bottom line, bring your digital scanner to Canada and enjoy yourself. Don't go around advertising the fact that you have a digital scanner and you should be ok. Crank up the volume while standing beside a police officer and you might find yourself answering some difficult questions. As somebody already mentioned, turn it off and toss it in the glove compartment when crossing and you shouldn't have a problem.
The laws that seem to pertain to digital scanners are actually an Internal Policy Circular from Industry Canada. They were issued years ago to protect the cellular industry. People are now trying to apply these laws to apco25 digital scanners.
People have tried to apply for a permit to own a digital scanner but so far nobody (including Industry Canada) have figured out which document you need.
As well, the IPC states that you need a digital scanner which has received a Type Acceptance Certificate (TAC) for digital scanners. Since no digital scanner manufacturer has applied for this TAC, there are currently no digital scanners which you could possess with this licence.
Radioworld in Toronto is currently asking purchasers of digital scanners to sign a statement saying they qualify to possess such a scanner under one of the exemptions. Most people are ticking off the "amateur radio operator" exemption whether they are an amateur or not. The IPC has a list of people who qualify for an exemption and amateur radio operators qualify.
Bottom line, bring your digital scanner to Canada and enjoy yourself. Don't go around advertising the fact that you have a digital scanner and you should be ok. Crank up the volume while standing beside a police officer and you might find yourself answering some difficult questions. As somebody already mentioned, turn it off and toss it in the glove compartment when crossing and you shouldn't have a problem.
- Status
