Comments on: RAC recommends action on Bill 118 http://blog.rac.ca/?p=132 All about ham radio in Canada - Tous pour la radioamateur au Canada Sun, 12 May 2013 22:59:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bill C118 Comments from Guest Blogger « VA3QV’s Weblog http://blog.rac.ca/?p=132&cpage=1#comment-43 Bill C118 Comments from Guest Blogger « VA3QV’s Weblog Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:31:11 +0000 http://racblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/rac-recommends-action-on-bill-118/#comment-43 [...] refer to http://racblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/rac-recommends-action-on-bill-118/ and the attached handbill that I will be distributing at the fleamarket in Fergus [...] [...] refer to http://racblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/rac-recommends-action-on-bill-118/ and the attached handbill that I will be distributing at the fleamarket in Fergus [...]

]]> By: Vince d'Eon VE6LK /3 http://blog.rac.ca/?p=132&cpage=1#comment-42 Vince d'Eon VE6LK /3 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:18:00 +0000 http://racblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/rac-recommends-action-on-bill-118/#comment-42 A direct link to the comments for Bill 118 can be found at http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=1902 73 de VE6LK/3 A direct link to the comments for Bill 118 can be found at http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=1902

73 de VE6LK/3

]]> By: Len Wiltenburg VA3BFD http://blog.rac.ca/?p=132&cpage=1#comment-41 Len Wiltenburg VA3BFD Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:36:10 +0000 http://racblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/rac-recommends-action-on-bill-118/#comment-41 I provided these comments via the Service Ontario website: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The legislation does not make any mention of two-way radio communication devices other than cellular telephones. While it is clear that the intention of the legislation is directed towards the use of cellular phones and other consumer electronics devices that can distract a driver, the legislation is otherwise silent on the use of federally licensed telecommunications devices such as two way hand-held and mobile radios as well as unlicensed two-way radios such as those in the Family Radio Service (FRS). As a licensed amateur radio operator in Canada I am afraid that this legislation can be interpreted in a way that will disallow me from using the equipment for which I am appropriately licensed by Industry Canada where there is no evidence of any reason to do so. Amateur radio operators in Canada and around the world not only obtain these certifications and licenses to fuel their desire to participate in this hobby, but are also an integral, respected and experienced part of emergency response and support to many emergency services organizations. There are many programs and organizations that depend on the ability of amateur radio operators to provide their services both in a fixed or mobile platform. Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), managed in Canada by the Radio Amateurs of Canada (http://www.rac.ca/fieldorg/racares.htm) have direct agreements with the Red Cross, local municipalities and the provinces to provide emergency communications when commercial and public systems cannot function. CANWARN is a program supported by Environment Canada that provides real-time ground truthing of severe weather events to Environment Canada meteorologists and no doubt has saved lives and property. Amateur radio operators around the world provide communications in times of local, regional, national or international hardships, including tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes. These are just three examples of the many great contributions that these volunteers provide to society. I encourage you to provide a wholesale exemption to this legislation to all amateur radio operators much as you have done for emergency services personnel as it relates toward their non-cellular phone telecommunications equipment. They are a valued service to the citizens of our country and much documentation of this can be obtained through your own government's and other government agencies. Sincerely Len Wiltenburg Industry Canada License Callsign VA3BFD Member of Radio Amateurs of Canada Blenheim, Ontario I provided these comments via the Service Ontario website:

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The legislation does not make any mention of two-way radio communication devices other than cellular telephones. While it is clear that the intention of the legislation is directed towards the use of cellular phones and other consumer electronics devices that can distract a driver, the legislation is otherwise silent on the use of federally licensed telecommunications devices such as two way hand-held and mobile radios as well as unlicensed two-way radios such as those in the Family Radio Service (FRS). As a licensed amateur radio operator in Canada I am afraid that this legislation can be interpreted in a way that will disallow me from using the equipment for which I am appropriately licensed by Industry Canada where there is no evidence of any reason to do so.

Amateur radio operators in Canada and around the world not only obtain these certifications and licenses to fuel their desire to participate in this hobby, but are also an integral, respected and experienced part of emergency response and support to many emergency services organizations. There are many programs and organizations that depend on the ability of amateur radio operators to provide their services both in a fixed or mobile platform. Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), managed in Canada by the Radio Amateurs of Canada (http://www.rac.ca/fieldorg/racares.htm) have direct agreements with the Red Cross, local municipalities and the provinces to provide emergency communications when commercial and public systems cannot function. CANWARN is a program supported by Environment Canada that provides real-time ground truthing of severe weather events to Environment Canada meteorologists and no doubt has saved lives and property. Amateur radio operators around the world provide communications in times of local, regional, national or international hardships, including tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes. These are just three examples of the many great contributions that these volunteers provide to society.

I encourage you to provide a wholesale exemption to this legislation to all amateur radio operators much as you have done for emergency services personnel as it relates toward their non-cellular phone telecommunications equipment. They are a valued service to the citizens of our country and much documentation of this can be obtained through your own government’s and other government agencies.

Sincerely

Len Wiltenburg
Industry Canada License Callsign VA3BFD
Member of Radio Amateurs of Canada
Blenheim, Ontario

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