Videos from the BC Forest Safety Council and Overland Training Canada:Īmateur or 'ham' radio is the most popular radio service for backcountry communications in BC, due it its potential range, higher power than license-exempt devices, variety of features, and the ability to use repeaters.Īs with other radio services, while anyone can listen freely, a license is required to transmit in the ham bands.More info on the program is available at:.One should also remember that these are business-related frequencies and not to be used for general chit-chat between groups they're there to keep other road users apprised of traffic location and conditions, nothing more. Or pick up a scanner and listen to anything you want. That doesn't 'make it okay' to use them illegally, when nobody is restricted from BEING legal: anyone can pick up a land mobile radio, get the license, and be golden (an older Icom can be had for $150 or less). Yes, we understand it's 'a safety thing'. It is not legal to enter these frequencies into 'unlocked' radios such as Baofengs and other Chinese radios. Outside of a land mobile radio, it is also only legal to program the channels for monitoring in a radio that is incapable of transmitting on them - specifically, a 'true' ham radio that is restricted to transmitting within the ham bands. Most shops can assist you in submitting the license application, and will program the assigned channels for minimal cost or for free. The license is available by submitting an application and license fee ($42 annually, prorated) to ISED, and only a qualified person or radio shop is allowed to program them. It's important to note that it is only legal to transmit on these channels using a certified and licensed 'land mobile' ('commercial' or 'business') radio. This allows FSR users to have their radios pre-loaded with all 35 RR channels and 5 'loading' channels ( edit: updated to 14 loading channels in early 2022), and easily switch the appropriate one when entering an FSR. The RR project created a standardized set of 35 road channels for use on public FSRs throughout the province, along with standardized protocol and signage. Previously, many active FSRs used the operating company's own leased frequencies, leaving other road users unsure in advance of what channels they would need to monitor for traffic.

In 2015, BC started rolling out the Resource Road Radio Program province-wide. Backcountry Communications Skip to Main Content

Gmrs license application form online