[Blackthorne]

This is the best summation I have ever encountered on this board WRT using modded radios.

This should be a sticky.

Originally Posted by FlyGuy

You asked...

CBSA won't have a problem with it per se, but Industry Canada will not like it much since it's not certified (against any Radio Standards Specification) for use in Canada. Certification ensures that a minimum level of performance and quality control exists within the radio's design and makes the manufacturer or importer responsible for compliance. It is illegal to import, sell, install, operate or possess any radio apparatus for which certification or other authorization is required without proof that the device meets the applicable standards or proper authorization for the radio has been granted. Also, the advertising label is misleading in that the manufacturer quotes an operating frequency range which does actually include but at the same time continues well outside the designated "Amateur Radio Service" bands yet the manufacturer still says the unit is an "Amateur Radio". Clearly this not in compliance with Canadian rules because it isn't restricted to amateur frequencies only and thus cannot be just an "Amateur Radio".

The practical upshot for you however is that the radio will undoubtedly arrive safe and sound to your door just fine.

HOWEVER...

Should you decide to use it on any frequencies other than those assigned to license-exempt services such as FRS/GMRS where things tend to be more or less like the wild west anyhow, you may actually cause harmful interference to authorized users of that licensed spectrum which you had thought was free and clear, thus resulting in a complaint being lodged with IC. Such a complaint will be followed by one or more of their vehicles carrying extremely sophisticated and expensive equipment driven by inspectors wearing dark sunglasses and devoid of any real sense of humor coming to look for your transmitter. Also, if you (unwisely) choose to operate in the ham bands, the local amateur radio community would be all over you like flies on you know what if you trespass into their bands without authorization. They just love to find and expose pirate operators, and they have the necessary technical knowledge to do so. And believe me when I say this, if IC are called in to find you, they WILL do so no matter how hard you make it for them and you won't be happy about the eventual outcome.

So, purchase your radio and once you do, be smart about where and on what frequencies you choose to operate it (FRS/GMRS) and it's highly likely you will never cause a big enough issue to attract the Feds. Be dumb about it and eventually, you will hear a knocking on your front door.


'Fly