I will be travelling to Canada and USA at the end of Jan. I hopefully will get some free time to attempt a few SOTA activations while i’m there.
Information online is not completely clear with the use of callsigns for visitors.
Is the CEPT reciprocal arrangement in place with UK callsign as a visitor to Canada and USA, and I’ll be able to operate with just the addition of the appropriate prefix (of suffix)? Or is a seperate permit required?
I’ll be visiting Toronto area (VE3) in Canada, and Oregon (W7) areas…
Any advice appreciated with visitor callsign, and travelling with raido gear.
I did have a quick read of the document first. It effectively says if you carry a copy of your home licence, passport, and follow the rules of the visiting country with the use of regional prefix you’re ‘good to go’… It seems too easy!!
Hello Roy -
Here’s an advanced “Welcome!” to W7O. We watch alerts, but would be delighted to hear from you to coordinate chasing on 40m and 2m FM (146.58). Or perhaps to meet up in person if it works for your travel plans. www.pnwsota.org has excellent trip reports that can also be found on sotl.as.
73, Etienne-K7ATN
Wow, an opportunity to draw attention to the VE6 Association Reference Manual
Which includes information on operating in Canada if you are visiting from a CEPT country.
The Canadian Govt. web-site does indicate that “… you must bring your amateur radio operator’s certificate/licence and have obtained a CEPT certificate from your home administration.”
Welcome to Canada, and I hope you have an enjoyable and sucessful visit.
Ian
VE6IXD
Not sure if this is still valid but last time I checked it was mandatory in Canada to have proof (aka exam) for CW at 5WPM to be allowed to operate on the HF bands.
Otherwise you are resticted to VHF/UHF.
I note under section 4 of that 2019 webpage ( Frequently asked questions) they state that “Visiting amateurs must include the prefix of the geographical location, and the area of operation with the identification of their station.” But then in their example following straight after, they say you append /VE4 to the home call (VE4 is just the example).
This may just be my dumb Brit’s interpretation, but a prefix is something before the call, not after, so should we use VEx/G7WKX or put the /VEx as a suffix after the call?
When I visited a few years ago I used VE6/G7WKX and VE7/G7WKX and no-one in Canada picked me up as being wrong on doing that, but perhaps they were being polite?
I think the confusion is that the document linked from your link (RIC-9 — Call Sign Policy and Special Event Prefixes) defines the Canadian prefixes for the various provinces. So, for example, a Canadian amateur in Manitoba will be allocated a callsign with the prefix VE4. However, when you operate in Canada you must suffix your callsign with the correct prefix i.e. G7WKX/VE4.
Why does Canada (and, I think, the US) have to be backwards? AFAIK everywhere else puts the local prefix first i.e. they prefix with the prefix instead of suffixing the prefix.
I feel the prefix / own call is very much a CEPT thing. The US had call areas for a long time so Elliott K6EL in Texas would have signed K6EL/5 until such requirements were dropped. So the own call/region is very much a US/Canada tradition.
I may be wrong but I think the problem comes when countries sign up to CEPT T/R 61-01 they agree a format they want using and then fail to ensure what they agreed with CEPT is what the tell people in local rules.
T/R 61-01 says VA or VE for Canada and VO/VY for some specific areas of Canada and so I would be VE/M0FMF. Nothing about using region prefixes like VE2/M0FMF. If you look the US section specifically states which prefix to use for all the states and dependcies. So W5/M0FMF if I was in Texas.
Me, I’d be signing VE/M0FMF and giving my location but I really don’t think there will be thousands of Canadian Radio-Police looking for people using the wrong format.
We’ve been doing it backwards since 1952 under Treaty E103802 - CTS 1952 No. 7. It’s even implemented the Radicommunication Regulations and 47 CFR part 97
73 de va3rr
Thanks everyone for the great info, advice, and links.
I’ll be adding VE3 or W7 to my call when operating. I already have printed copies of licence, and will be operating within the band plans. I dont envisage any issues (other than radio gear getting questioned while travelling!)
I’ll alert early as soon as my schedule is confirmed when i get on the ground… hopefully the winter weather will be supportive with my plans
I had no issues on a recent visit to Las Vegas, Honolulu, and Los Angeles, prefixing UK call with W7, KH6, and W7 respectively. Didn’t get arrested nor shot, and nobody questioned my LiFePo4 batteries on any of the flights.
Don’t sweat the small stuff, as they say in the colonies.
This discussion comes up quite often. It’s always worth checking the current state of play.
My recent flying with SOTA kit has been trouble free, despite carrying a Hobby King LiFePo4 battery that looks like a slab of plastic explosive with wires sticking out!
I do carry a copy of the IATA lithium battery regs.
Radio(s), battery and battery charger in hand luggage. Get it out at security, like laptops etc. if the airport still asks for them to be removed.
Wire antennas, poles, guying cords etc in hold luggage.
Leaving the radio aside at the moment - just checking you have applied for your Electronic Travel Authorisation - lack of this will probably stop you from even getting on the plane in the UK!
By the way, in 2025 several countries are introducing or changing their eTA needs even EU-UK and UK-EU travel are affected, so its worth checking where you stand well in advance as some countries take some time issuing these temporary visas.