CBs and portable radios were to be banned by the province as part of legislation to reduce distracted driving and mobile phone use. The extension granted for the use of CBs and radios is expected to expire at the end of 2017. The legal output power limits for the high frequency (RF) of a GRS transmitter are as follows: We are pleased to announce that effective February 14, 2020, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has « made permanent the exemption under Ontario Regulation 366/09 (Screens and Portable Devices) of the Highway Traffic Act for portable two-way radios for commercial drivers and amateur radio operators. » TORONTO, ON – The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will continue to allow the use of radios and portable radios until 2021. Following the meeting, FCAC President Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA, sent a letter to Claudio DeRose (Director, Safety Policy and Education Branch, Ontario Ministry of Transportation) thanking MTO representatives for taking the time to meet with RAC representatives. He stressed that this is « an important issue for the tens of thousands of amateur radio operators who live in or visit our province, » and encouraged the Ministry of Transportation to make the exception permanent for radios. In some provinces, including Ontario, the exception can only apply to mobile devices and not to portable radios (unless the portable radio is used with a separate portable microphone). Given police`s increased scrutiny of commercial vehicle drivers` inattention as the leading cause of serious collisions, OTA will work with its members, CB and radio technology providers, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Transportation during the three-year transition to raise awareness of the availability of hands-free technology for CB and radio equipment and promote its adoption. « During the consultation phases, three possible options for industry review were presented: extension of the seven-year waiver; make the exemption permanent or let the exemption expire at the end of 2017. During consultations with MTO in the summer, several fleets and industrial suppliers pointed out that hands-free technology for CB and radios is available and is currently being adopted, but it would take a little longer to fully implement, » the OTA reported. RAC Directors Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Ontario North/East) and Phil McBride, VA3QR (Ontario South), had a very productive meeting with representatives of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.

The purpose of the meeting was to advise industry stakeholders on Ontario`s Distracted Driving Act and, in particular, on the current five-year exemption for the use of portable radios, which expires on January 1, 2018. The meeting resulted in a very productive exchange of information. This indicates that former subsection 13(2), which was the previous time limit for the exemption for the use of radios on portable equipment, has been deleted. The relatively inexpensive and ease of use of the devices used in SRMs in Canada, also known as the citizen band (CB), provide access to radio support that was previously not available to the general public. Originally, there were 23 channels. In 1977, 40 channel allocations were established in the frequency band from 26.960 to 27.410 MHz. Before the late 1970s, when synthesized CB radios were introduced, CB radios were controlled by plug-in quartz crystals and most CB radios used only amplitude modulation (AM). In mid-2017, the Department of Transport initiated consultations to determine the next appropriate steps that could be taken to address the temporary exemptions currently provided for in the Highway Traffic Act for the use of radios and portable radios. OTA is grateful that the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has again extended the exemption for drivers using CBs and radios by three years, but with increased attention to distracted driving, the association looks forward to working with officials to find a definitive solution to this issue. The regulations are available online at the following address: www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/090366 CB radios prevent accidents. Obstacles to the road are reported to other drivers when they pass,,LIVE. It sends to anyone who has the CB on and is within range.

Truckers are often aware of slowing down traffic long before they hit the obstacle. However, fewer drivers have the CB on and have a headdress and make phone calls. You miss this transmission and are surprised by a sudden obstruction of the highway. For CBs and radios, the exception allows a driver to press and hold the button on a portable two-way radio while driving. The driver can press a button to speak and release it to listen, repeating as many times as necessary to have a conversation. If the handheld device is a microphone, it must be attached in the vehicle and within the driver`s reach or mounted on the vehicle. Radios, hands-free kits attached to the driver`s belt or attached to his clothes are also excluded. The updated regulations can be found at: www.ontario.ca/fr/lois/reglement/r17475 After a careful review of the input provided by the industry, MTO OTA announced late last week that the current two-way radio exception for licensed amateur radio operators and certain commercial, public and public operating transportation operators will be extended for an additional three years starting January 1. 2018 to January 1, 2021.

The amended Regulation is available at www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r17475. The third column of the PDF document indicates that radios do not fall under the definition of « electronic communication devices » in the Highway Safety Act. In light of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation`s recent decision to make the exemption permanent for commercial and amateur radio operators, we reviewed the regulations in Canada and, to our knowledge, the exceptions are « permanent » (i.e., with no defined end date) in all other provinces and territories. www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?language=en&postingId=30387 change: www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r20018 CARs will continue to provide more details on distracted driving regulations on FCAC`s website when events occur. If you have any questions or comments, or if you would like to send a letter of support, simply contact your FCAC Director at any time at the address on page 4 of TCA magazine and on the Directors` website. Operators shall not operate a GRS station on board aircraft or ships without the authorization of the aircraft or the relevant flight officer. FCAC regional representatives often work to clarify regulations on where radio amateurs could be trapped or when regulations will be established or amended. A subcommittee has been established to oversee the regulations and work with the governments of each province to protect the interests of Canadian radio amateurs. Bill Gipps, VE7XS, FCAC`s Director for British Columbia and Yukon, is leading this subcommittee and is currently focusing his energy specifically on two provinces, British Columbia and Ontario. It`s nice to see that common sense prevails.

Let`s see if they can come up with a favorable solution. What is the pleasure of driving if you do not have a CB to talk to your friends The key point mentioned in the amendment 🙂 is: (a) a radio as defined in section 2 of the Radio Traffic Act (Canada), which, on December 15, 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced that the current two-way radio exception for « radio amateurs and certain designated commercial drivers, Drivers of public transport and public services will be extended by three years, from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2021. ». Allan contacted MTO in mid-October and requested an update. A representative of MTO told him that they have all the documents presented to them at their previous meeting, including: Allan Munnik, VA7MP/VE7RMPDirector British Columbia/YukonRadio Amateurs of Canada22444 72nd AvenueLangley, BC V2Y 2K4*email protected*As the operator of a General Radio Service (GRS) station, you must ensure that your station operates in accordance with applicable regulations and practices. Answer the following questions with true or false:. FCAC will continue to provide additional information on distracted driving regulations on FCAC`s website as it develops. They announced that a final decision will be announced at a press conference by the Minister of Transport on the issue of the exemption before the january 1, 2018 expiry date. In Ontario, FCAC Directors Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Ontario North/East) and Phil McBride, VA3QR (Ontario South) worked on this issue.