Licensing, Band Plans & Repeater Etiquette in Canada
Structured reference covering the RAC/ISED certification path, how Canadian call signs are assigned, and the conventions for operating on VHF and UHF repeater networks.
Quick Reference
Key Areas Covered
Basic & Advanced Qualifications
Canada operates a two-tier licensing system administered by ISED. The Basic qualification grants HF privileges above 30 MHz, while the Advanced qualification opens the full spectrum and self-building rights.
Call Sign Districts
Canadian call signs follow the pattern VA/VE/VO/VY followed by a district number (0–9) and a suffix. The prefix and district together identify both the operator's province and their qualification level.
VHF/UHF Band Plans
The Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) publishes coordinated band plans for 2 m (144–148 MHz) and 70 cm (430–450 MHz), specifying repeater input/output pairs, simplex calling frequencies, and weak-signal segments.
Repeater Networks
Repeaters extend the range of hand-held and mobile stations. Most Canadian systems use a 600 kHz offset on 2 m and a 5 MHz offset on 70 cm, with CTCSS (PL) tones required for access on the majority of coordinated machines.
Study Resources
The official question bank for the Basic qualification is maintained by ISED and updated periodically. Third-party study tools such as HamStudy.org and Industry Canada practice exams draw from this same pool.
Regulatory Framework
Amateur radio in Canada is governed by the Radiocommunication Act and the Radiocommunication Regulations. ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) issues licences and administers the qualification examinations.
Articles
Reference Articles
In-depth overviews of the topics most relevant to operators studying for their Canadian amateur radio licence or setting up on local repeaters.
Licensing
Canadian Amateur Radio Licensing: A Complete Study Guide
An overview of the Basic and Advanced qualification structure, the examination process, and what each licence class permits on Canadian frequencies.
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Call Signs
How Canadian Amateur Radio Call Signs Are Structured
A detailed breakdown of the prefix system, district numbering, and how call sign format reflects qualification class, province, and operating privileges.
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Repeaters
VHF/UHF Repeater Etiquette for Canadian Amateur Operators
Practical conventions for accessing, identifying on, and using coordinated VHF and UHF repeaters, including CTCSS tones, offsets, and net procedures.
Read article →Canadian Frequency Allocations at a Glance
2 Metre Band
144–148 MHz
Primary local VHF band. Repeater output range: 146.610–147.990 MHz (positive offset). Calling frequency: 146.520 MHz simplex.
70 cm Band
430–450 MHz
Primary local UHF band. Repeater output range: 442–445 MHz. Standard offset: +5 MHz. Calling frequency: 446.000 MHz simplex.
HF Access
Basic with Honours
A Basic qualification with a score of 80% or higher (Honours) grants access to HF bands below 30 MHz, equivalent to the former Advanced class for HF privileges.