This RFD900 radio requires an amateur radio license to operate in the US.
Does it also require an amateur license in Canada.
How to go about getting an amateur radio license in both the US and Canada ?
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That specific model requires an amateur radio operator certificate (in Canada’s legal-speak, certificates are for people, licenses are for radios).
But why not use the license-exempt version? RFDesign RFD900x-US Modem –FCC Approved Long-Range Telemetry - RMRC
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There is usually a basic technicians’ license exam conducted as a part of HAM Fests and Meets, Swaps, etc. during the summer; these are held all over the US and Canada. Some of the HAM Fests are huge festivals!
For the exams, ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications or general RF knowledge should be sufficient. They no longer have a Morse Code typing test to qualify.
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
RK
I got my basic Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with honours certificate through VECTOR.
It was four Saturday mornings and then a 100 multiple-choice questions exam two weeks later.
Check the link below for the course description and waitlist sign-up.
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Thank you I will check into this
Can I self study and take the test?
Yes, you can self study and take the test.
You’ll need to pay an examiner fee or take the exam at an ISED office for free. Not sure if there’s an ISED office in Vancouver.
You can do practice exams and also download the full exam bank and do all the questions before your exam.
I have found the self study guide.
As an electrical engineer. I got more than 1/2 right without any studying.
I found this for taking the exam
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I’m sure you’ll do fine.
70% is a pass. 80% is honours and gives you access to the full amateur spectrum.
The tech questions are easy if you have any electronics background. The regulations, remembering frequency bands, and the antenna length calcs may be a bit more challenging.
You are welcome, hope you are able to get to a HAM Fest!
I am going spend a week studying. I expect will get above 80%. I hope to find examiner to take the exam in week or 2.
I am interested in the HAM fest?
The reason I am interested in amateur radio so related to long range radios for drones.
In that case, you might consider challenging both the Basic and Advanced exams at the same time as Advanced is far more electronics in depth since it gives the ability to build and repair your own gear and do things like sponsor repeaters. I am happy that VHS’s repeater finally got a new sponsor this year!
Pretty rare to see exams done at swap meets and other events here in BC/Lower Mainland. Though this is/was pretty common in the US.
If I remember correctly they had that at the Maple Ridge swap meet last year. I didn’t make it out this year so can’t speak to that.
Since the BARC swap meet pushed to November, I’ll suggest to the board that we get an examiner for that event, though our sponsor examiner usually has a table there selling stuff so might need to a bring an alternate examiner in instead.
Lastly you could just challenge the exam(s) at one of the other clubs running trainings this year.