VHF Repeter Fines

[TheWarlock]

Hey Everyone,

Wondering what the Fines are in ontario for being on VHF without a licence? Like what would/could happen to one who keys up a VHF radio on their local repeater? How likely is enforcement action to be taken on that person assuming they used the repeater like someone that had a licence.

 

[exkalibur]

You'll need to clarify a little bit... Is this;

A) Amateur Operator using a non-Amateur frequency/repeater (IE, transmitting out of band),
B) Unauthorized person using a commercial frequency/repeater,
C) Non-Amateur using an Amateur frequency/repeater

I would imagine that A is worse than B is worse than C as a licensed Amateur "should know better" so using ignorance wouldn't fly.

Regardless of the situation, I'd avoid it if I were you.

 

[n5ims]

Another critical part of that question is what is the reason for that illegal transmission. While it would still be illegal, this might be critical in how the repeater owner/users respond and possible consequences for that illegal transmission. Also who is doing it may also factor in.

For example, if it was somebody playing around with a radio, especially if they knew (or should have known) that their actions were illegal it may have more severe of a response than if it was a young child. For a young child using their father's authorized radio there would probably be a minimal response (perhaps just telling dad to secure their radio better and instruct their child that it isn't a toy to play with).

If it was a valid life-threatening emergency with no other way the user could've called for help they authorities may just confiscate the radio and explain why the transmission should've been handled differently (but only after responding appropriately to the emergency so lives were still saved). (Note:, please avoid the obvious discussion on FCC rules - especially 97.403 & 97.405 - since the OP is from Canada and not bound by the FCC rules. Not to mention that this horse has been beaten to death on numerous threads. Feel free to comment on them, not here.)

 

[sirsmiley]

if it were willfully impacting legitimate traffic you could be charged under the criminal code for Mischief - Under $5000.

 

[jwt873]

The Canadian Radio Act carries maximum penalties of:

a fine, not exceeding $5 000, or a prison term of one year, or both
a fine of $10 000
a prison term of two years
a fine of $1 000

Of course, these are maximums and are rarely, if ever imposed.

If you use amateur radio repeaters illegally, you'll probably get a slap on the wrist and will have to forfeit your equipment.

Using commercially owned repeaters will be dealt with seriously. As sirsmiley points out, interfering with a business could also net a criminal charge of mischief.

Just to add. The Radio Act is a federal law. You don't want a federal conviction on your record that can come back to haunt you in the future.

 

[TheWarlock]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Mainly I was wondering what really stops someone from buying a cheap VHF radio on amazon or eBay and using in on their local repeater to just chat like the Ham operators do with each other.

 

[SCPD]

If you get on a ham repeater without a licence they will probably turn it off on you

 

[TheWarlock]

If you get on a ham repeater without a licence they will probably turn it off on you

How would they be able to turn it off on one person?

 

[robertmac]

Don't create CB out of the ham bands.

 

[jwt873]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Mainly I was wondering what really stops someone from buying a cheap VHF radio on amazon or eBay and using in on their local repeater to just chat like the Ham operators do with each other.

What repeaters?

In Canada there are only ham repeaters or business and government repeaters. (There are no GMRS repeaters like in the states).

If you were to do something like butt in on the repeater used by 'Ernie's Plumbing Co', or 'Joe's Delivery' you'll get everyone there very upset

You require a valid call sign to use ham repeaters. If you listen in, you'll hear that most hams identify -- Usually at the start or end of a conversation. It's required by law.

With no call sign, you'll set off all sorts of red flags. You could make one up, but they can be checked online to see if they are valid. Using a valid call belonging to someone else is possible, but then you're getting into identity theft.

For VHF/UHF chatting, all there really is for the unlicensed is FRS and GMRS.

 

[webstar22]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Mainly I was wondering what really stops someone from buying a cheap VHF radio on amazon or eBay and using in on their local repeater to just chat like the Ham operators do with each other.

Baofeng for example for about $22 from china. I have a few but setup for RX only and even set that way in the software. I use them for fire pager tones etc..

 

[SCPD]

How would they be able to turn it off on one person?

They would turn the repeater completely off until you went away. If it was a DMR repeater they could kill your radio