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![]() RIC-9 - Call Sign Policy and Special Event PrefixesForwardThis new issue of Radio Information Circular 9, Call Sign Policy and Special Event Prefixes, (RIC-9) reflects recent modifications to the international Radio Regulations pertaining to the amateur service resulting from decisions made at the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference of 2003 (WRC-2003). PurposeThis circular outlines the policies and procedures as they relate to call signs and special events prefixes within the amateur radio service. Policy1. Call Sign Assignment1.1 GeneralA Canadian call sign is issued to anyone, including a foreign national, who successfully writes the Canadian Basic Qualification examination and obtains an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate. Individuals who are citizens of another country and are not the holders of a Canadian Amateur Radio Operator Certificate may be authorized to operate with their own call sign with an appropriate Canadian call sign area designator in accordance with Radiocommunication Information Circular 3, Information on the Amateur Radio Service (RIC-3) when a reciprocal operating agreement exists between Canada and the home country or the visitor is operating under a CEPT or IARP permit. Call signs are assigned to individuals for a lifetime. However, there are cases when call signs become available for reassignment. In the case of an amateur requesting a replacement call sign, the unwanted call sign would be returned to the block of available call signs at the time of exchange. In the case of a deceased amateur, Industry Canada policy allows for a member of the immediate family to apply for the call sign. Immediate family includes father, mother, step-parent, foster parent, guardian, brother, sister, spouse, child, grandchild, stepchild and adopted members of the family. If no family member has applied for the call sign within one year of the death, it will be returned to the block of available call signs. All call signs become available for reassignment when the current year equals the certificate holder's birthdate plus 125 years. 1.2 Call Sign PrefixesWhen a Canadian applicant is qualified to install or operate an amateur radio station, a call sign will be issued using a prefix based on where the applicant resides. An amateur who subsequently changes his residence from one call sign prefix area to another shall apply for a change of call sign with the prefix allocated for this new area of operation. A foreign national holding a Canadian Amateur Radio Operator Certificate does not need to be a resident in Canada, but must have a Canadian address at which the amateur radio operations in Canada will be based. The prefix for this call sign will be determined by the relevant Canadian address. Prefixes currently used for assignment are in accordance with the following table:
* VE0 call signs are only intended for use when the amateur radio station is operated from a vessel that make international voyages. 1.3 Call Sign Suffixes1.3.1 Restricted SuffixesIn certain circumstances, the Amateur Radio Service Centre may decide not to issue certain suffixes. An example is the suffix SOS, which could result in confusion in a real emergency. Suffixes for call signs issued on a permanent basis in accordance with Section 1.4, will consist of either two or three letters. In conformity with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations, call signs with three-letter suffixes and four-character alpha numeric suffixes will not be issued from block QOA to QUZ as these combinations are reserved for abbreviations to be used for radiocommunication services (ITU - Article S19). Existing call signs will remain valid until the call sign is released. 1.3.2 Single-letter Suffixes and Four-character Alpha Numeric SuffixesCall signs with single-letter and four-character alpha numeric suffixes will only be issued as special event call signs for limited periods of time as described in Section 2. 1.3.3 Two-letter SuffixesIn Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia the demand for two-letter suffixes exceeds the availability. In some areas, waiting lists for two-letter call signs have been held in district offices for many years. With the introduction of the centralized Amateur Radio Service Centre, two-letter call sign waiting lists have been discontinued. Applicants in the VE1 - VE7 and VO1 call sign areas who are qualified to install or operate an amateur radio station may apply for a two-letter call sign if they meet the following eligibility criteria:
Applicants in call sign prefix areas with very small amateur populations (VE8, VE9, VY1, VY2, VY0, and VO2) in which two-letter call signs are readily available, may apply for a two-letter call sign. Once the number of two-letter call signs issued in an area exceeds 80% of the total two-letter call sign combinations, the eligibility criteria in subsection (a) above will then apply to that area. Only one two-letter call sign will be issued per amateur operator and the prefix will be issued in accordance with Section 1.2. No two-letter call sign will be issued to club stations. Existing two-letter call signs remain valid until the holder releases the call sign or becomes deceased. 1.4 Choosing a Call Sign1.4.1 Choosing a First Call SignApplicants may request any unassigned two or three-letter suffix call sign using a prefix in accordance with Section 1.2. Applicants requesting a two-letter suffix call sign must meet the requirements of Section 1.3.3. A maximum of three choices in the order of preference will be considered. If none of the choices are available or no choice is indicated, the Amateur Radio Service Centre will assign a call sign. Applicants are urged to check the availability of call signs at the Canadian Amateur Radio Call Sign Database at: http://www.callsign.ca 1.4.2 Additional Call SignsAmateurs may apply for any additional three-letter suffix call sign. Amateurs who are not already holders of a two-letter suffix call sign may apply for an additional call sign with a two-letter suffix providing they meet the requirements of Section 1.3.3. Please note that only one two-letter call sign is assigned per amateur operator and the prefix will be issued in accordance with Section 1.2. 1.4.3 Changing a Call SignAn amateur may request a change of call sign for a three-letter suffix. If the requested call sign is available, it will be issued, provided that the applicant's prefix remains in accordance with Section 1.2. Applicants who request a change of call sign from a three-letter call sign to a two-letter call sign must meet the requirements of Section 1.3.3. 1.4.4 Transferring a Call Sign from a Deceased Amateur to an Immediate Family MemberThe call sign of a deceased amateur will not be returned to the Available Call Signs List until one year after the death. An immediate family member who is the holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate may apply for the call sign within that year, provided that the applicant's province or territory call sign prefix matches the call sign of the deceased amateur's area of residence. 1.4.5 Call Sign ReservationsAmateur radio service call signs cannot be reserved. Applicants are urged to check the availability of call signs at the Canadian Amateur Call Sign Database at http://www.callsign.ca. 1.5 Club Stations1.5.1 Call signs for club stations will be issued with three-letter suffixes only. Existing two-letter club station call signs will remain valid until the club disbands or the call sign is released. 1.5.2 Sponsor RequirementsThe application for a call sign intended to be used by an amateur radio club station must be made by a holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Advanced Qualification. 1.6 Automatic Repeater Stations1.6.1 The application for a call sign intended to be used for an amateur radio automatic radiotelephone communications repeater station operating above 30 MHz and within the same band must be made by a holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Advanced Qualification. 1.6.2 The applicant must be the holder of an applicable Morse code qualification if the repeater is to transmit on frequencies below 30 MHz. 1.6.3 A holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification may apply for a call sign intended to be used for an amateur radio digital repeater on frequencies above 30 MHz.
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Created: 2005-06-21 Updated: 2006-02-06 ![]() |
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