Simplex ??

[VE3RADIO]

Simplex Operation:

I have a couple questions about simplex operation. What are the rules around the operation of simplex frequencies in Ontario? Is it legal to transmit? If so, how far would transmissions go with just a rubber duck output at say.. 3 watts? From my understanding of simplex, its just that.. a simple operation of a radio with no repeater.. am I correct? If i had to guess I would say transiting on simplex frequencies would be a no go.. as if it was.. why would we need FRS radios? Secondly from time to time I hear PD/fd action on vhf and sometimes UHF simplex, how far away would/could they be?

 

[NeFire242]

Simplex Operation:

I have a couple questions about simplex operation. What are the rules around the operation of simplex frequencies in Ontario? Is it legal to transmit? If so, how far would transmissions go with just a rubber duck output at say.. 3 watts?

Perhaps a mile? What band VHF, UHF? Ham or public safety? The terrain makes a huge impact too.

From my understanding of simplex, its just that.. a simple operation of a radio with no repeater.. am I correct?

You are correct, there is no infrastructure involved, it is just radio-to-radio operations.

If i had to guess I would say transiting on simplex frequencies would be a no go.. as if it was.. why would we need FRS radios?

FRS is great for people who do not wish to purchase an operating license or expensive equipment or maintenance. Its meant for very local communications within a group or area at best.

Secondly from time to time I hear PD/fd action on vhf and sometimes UHF simplex, how far away would/could they be?

Again, depends on terrain, what band and radios they are using. Would be a huge difference if they're using a 5w portable Vs a 110w mobile with a gain antenna. Portable I'd say two miles perhaps for clear transmissions, and a mobile perhaps like ten miles. Again your mileage will vary greatly. A lot of factors go into how far a signal can travel.

 

[VE3RADIO]

Perhaps a mile? What band VHF, UHF? Ham or public safety? The terrain makes a huge impact too.

Any band.. does it matter what bands are used? Or are you free to just buy any old radio off eBay and start using it? Obviously not a trunked radio.. but conventional..is a license required?

 

[Muxlow]

I asked about this at a radio shop once.. All they would tell me is to get a radio licence first, then to pay for a licence for what ever freq i wanted and then they would talk to me about what i wanted to know.. SO they didnt help me at all.
Im gonna keep an eye here

 

[DaveH]

. but conventional..is a license required?

Yes, conventional or otherwise, high power or low power, buying a radio and "using it" without
licence is illegal. I'm surprised how many people don't realize this (no offense). Can you imagine
the utter chaos if this were allowed? Some people "get away with it" but not indefinitely, and I
recommend against yielding to temptation.

Dave

 

[Chrome69]

Any band.. does it matter what bands are used? Or are you free to just buy any old radio off eBay and start using it? Obviously not a trunked radio.. but conventional..is a license required?

Yes a license is required if you can get it for the said freq. The more watts the more the distance it will go but Hand Held to Hand Held will be only around 1 mile or line of sight. If a repeater is involved its a different animal for distance.. But in order to do/use said radios you would need to obtain a commercial license. You could get this from several Radio Outlets in the GTA including Lakeshore...

With Miss FD on UHF for dispatch they would be using like 100watts to get their signal all around Peel....

 

[N_Jay]

Any band.. does it matter what bands are used? Or are you free to just buy any old radio off eBay and start using it? Obviously not a trunked radio.. but conventional..is a license required?

It matters both legally and technically.

What band are you licensed for?

Or are you thinking you can just use simplex on any channel without a license.:roll::roll:

 

[VE3RADIO]

It matters both legally and technically.

What band are you licensed for?

Or are you thinking you can just use simplex on any channel without a license.:roll::roll:

Just curious about the whole idea.. i was considering buying a couple VHF radio's but if you need a license ill stick with FRS/GMRS.

 

[Muxlow]

How much does the licence cost? 50 bucks or something?

 

[Chrome69]

How much does the licence cost? 50 bucks or something?

A license is usually part of a year agreement and they usually want you to lease radios as well but the license can run you $150 to $350 per month + possible radios...

 

[VE3RADIO]

FRS/GMRS sounds like a good deal to me..

 

[nova1010]

FRS/GMRS sounds like a good deal to me..

Matt just get a couple of CDM-1250s and you'll have a couple of nice FRS/GMRS radios......

They can be programmed for low wattage to stay legal I believe.

Little more exspensive though

 

[N_Jay]

Matt just get a couple of CDM-1250s and you'll have a couple of nice FRS/GMRS radios......

They can be programmed for low wattage to stay legal I believe.

Little more expensive though

All depends how your rules are written up there in the Great White North.

In the US (of which you often copy our rules) that would not be legal.

If it is legal, (which I doubt) don't forget to set them for both low power AND 12.5 kHz operation.

 

[VE3RADIO]

I believe we are a little more loose with laws.. for example we do not need a license for GMRS.. where i believe you guys do..

 

[N_Jay]

I believe we are a little more loose with laws.. for example we do not need a license for GMRS.. where i believe you guys do..

In some things you are not as strict and in others you are more strict.

Typical government.

From Wiki
In Canada, hand-held GMRS radios up to 2 watts have been approved for use without a license since September 2004.[4] Typically these are dual FRS and GMRS units, with fixed antennas, and operating at 2 watts on some GMRS channels and 0.5 watts on the FRS-only channels. Mobile units (permanently mounted in vehicles), base stations and repeaters are not currently permitted on the GMRS channels in Canada.

 

[Chrome69]

Matt just get a couple of CDM-1250s and you'll have a couple of nice FRS/GMRS radios......

They can be programmed for low wattage to stay legal I believe.

Little more exspensive though

Yes make sure Shawn your CDM is programmed to low wattage and not 28 watts on the CDM you have and you have the operation at 12.5 and not 25khz like i sold it to you as....

But then again i shouldn't have to tell you that as you know how to program a CDM1250 already. :roll:

 

[DaveH]

Yes make sure Shawn your CDM is programmed to low wattage and not 28 watts on the CDM you have and you have the operation at 12.5 and not 25khz like i sold it to you as....

You just don't get it...this would not be legal for GMRS in Canada even if programmed for low power.

Dave

 

[Chrome69]

You just don't get it...this would not be legal for GMRS in Canada even if programmed for low power.

Dave

I Do get it Dave, that's why i don't have one set up as such...

 

[newtoscanning]

Radio licenses are $42/radio/year/frequency (for conventional). So if you want two mobile radios (what ever wattage you want. Your' looking at $84+tax a year in licenses.

Pending where you are frequencies are easier/harder to get your hands on. If your out in the middle of know where then IC will definitely give you a frequency. If your in a city center then they will tell you to go rent a radio.

Most major centers have a commercial trunked two way radio system you can rent from, portables, mobiles etc. Mobile Communications in Toronto you can rent a radio for $25 a month, portable coverage is good from McMaster/Pearson/Scarborough, mobile radio all of the Golden Hoarse Shoe!

FRS/GMRS sucks, go to a higher powered radio, just do it legally.

If you want to avoid the whole licensing costs, you and who ever you want to talk to just get your ham license.

my 2 cents worth.

 

[nova1010]

Yes make sure Shawn your CDM is programmed to low wattage and not 28 watts on the CDM you have and you have the operation at 12.5 and not 25khz like i sold it to you as....

No worries there.

But then again i shouldn't have to tell you that as you know how to program a CDM1250 already. :roll:

Thats right you shouldn't so why comment Brian?