Amateur Radio Operator Certificate

• The Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with a Basic qualification is the only authorization needed to operate an amateur radio station:
  • The certificate is valid for life,
  • Permits the operation or installation of a station at any location in Canada.
• The Amateur Radio Operator Certificate can be obtained with three (3) qualifications:
  • Basic: required to operate a station authorized in the amateur service and obtain call letters (a call sign),
  • Advanced,
  • Morse ( 5 words per minute ).
• After achieving the Basic qualification, additional qualifications can be sought in any order.

[ Before year 2000, two (2) authorizations were required: an Amateur Radio Operator's Certificate and a separate station licence. In April 2000, these two documents were combined and the Department discontinued the yearly licence renewal fee. ]

Privileges associated with qualifications

• Basic
  • With a mark of 70%, operation is allowed on amateur bands above 30 megahertz (abbreviated "MHz"). These bands provide regional coverage.
  • With a mark of 80% ("honours"), operation is allowed on all amateur bands. This privilege includes bands below 30 MHz with national and worldwide coverage [2005].
  • Build (assemble) commercially available transmitter kits of professional design [2005].
  • [ Re-programming of radio equipment to operate in the Amateur Bands if this can be done by a computer program {*No* physical modifications to the circuitry permitted} - 2016. ]
  • [ Operation of cross band repeaters - 2016. ]
  • [ *No* remote control of fixed stations permitted regardless of medium used for control - 2016. ]
• Advanced
  • Access to all amateur bands, including those with national and international reach below 30 MHz [2005].
  • Use higher transmitter power.
  • Design and build from scratch transmitting equipment.
  • Install repeaters and club stations.
  • [ Modify radio apparatus by computer program or physical modifications to the circuitry - 2016. ]
  • [ Remote control of fixed stations, including the use of radio links - 2016. ]
• Morse
  • Access to all amateur bands, including those with national and international reach below 30 MHz

Note the additional privileges introduced in 2005 as alternatives to Morse proficiency for access to "short-wave" below 30 MHz.

An 80% mark (score) on the Basic examination now grants the same frequency privileges that used to require a Morse test.

The Basic qualification permits building from kits of professional design. Building homemade transmitters from scratch still requires an Advanced qualification.