IPC-2-3-05 - Use of Maritime Mobile Frequencies by Portable Stations Licensed in the Land Mobile Service

Issue 2
July 2007

Spectrum Management and Telecommunications

Internal Procedures Circular

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The intent of this document is to provide licensing guidance for land mobile stations that have a requirement to operate on maritime mobile frequencies.

Preface

Internal Procedures Circulars are issued for the guidance of departmental staff. Although intended for internal use only, they are also available to the public. The information contained in these circulars is subject to change without notice. It is therefore suggested that interested persons consult the nearest district office of Industry Canada for additional details. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure accuracy, no warranty is expressed or implied. As well, these circulars have no status in law.

Comments and suggestions may be directed to the following address: 

Industry Canada
Radiocommunications and
Broadcasting Regulatory Branch
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C8

Attention: DOSP

E-mail: spectrum_pubs@ic.gc.ca

All Spectrum Management and Telecommunications publications are available on the following website: http://strategis.gc.ca/spectrum.

Contents

1. Intent
2. Mandate
3. Policy
4. Procedure
   • 4.1 General
   • 4.2 Frequency Selection
   • 4.3 Identification
   • 4.4 Equipment
   • 4.5 Power

1. Intent

The intent of this document is to provide licensing guidance for land mobile stations that have a requirement to operate on maritime mobile frequencies.

2. Mandate

Section 5 of the Radiocommunication Act states that the Minister may issue radio licences with respect to radio apparatus.

3. Policy

Requests for authority to use maritime mobile frequencies for portable stations licensed in the land mobile service may originate from: 

• companies or individuals involved with the fishing industry;
  
  
• marina operators; or
  
  
• other shore-based facilities serving clients in the maritime mobile service.
  
  

Often, the applicant already holds a coast station licence and wants its authority extended to a shore-based mobile unit. In such cases, portable stations may provide a ship/shore service only when the coast station is unable to respond to a call from a ship or when the coast station is not manned.

Use of the assigned maritime mobile frequency is restricted to operations related to the maritime mobile service. Should the applicant have a need for communication between the coast station and the land mobile portable, application should be made for a land mobile frequency assignment.

A land mobile base station may be authorized to provide a ship/shore service on maritime mobile frequencies. However, such requests should not be viewed as routine and should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

4. Procedure

4.1 General

For those portable stations already licensed in the land mobile service, existing licences may be endorsed to allow communications with ship stations on maritime mobile frequencies. This endorsement should also indicate that use of the frequency will be restricted to operations related to the maritime mobile service.

For those stations not already licensed in the land mobile service, a mobile station licence in the land mobile service shall be issued authorizing the use of a maritime mobile frequency. This licence shall indicate that use of the frequency will be restricted to operations related to the maritime mobile service.

Persons operating on maritime mobile frequencies must hold a Restricted Operator Certificate - Maritime (ROC-M) or higher level certificate.

4.2 Frequency Selection

The maritime mobile assignment shall be consistent with the frequency allocation tables found in Regulation by Reference 2 (previously RIC-13), Technical Requirements for the Operation of Mobile Stations in the Maritime Service (RBR-2).

4.3 Identification

The call sign of the associated land station, or the name of the facility shall be used as part of the on-air identification of the portable station.

4.4 Equipment

Land mobile portable stations, operating on maritime mobile frequencies, must use equipment that has been type-approved under Radio Standards Specifications 181, Coast and Ship Station Single Sideband Radiotelephone Transmitters and Receivers Operating in the 1605-28000 kHz Band (RSS-181) in the bands 1.6-28 MHz, or under either RSS-119, Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Transmitters and Receivers Operating in the Frequency Range 27.41-960 MHz or RSS-182, Maritime Radio Transmitters and Receivers in the Band 156-162.5 MHz in the bands 156-162.5 MHz.

4.5 Power

Shore-based portable stations operating in the band 156-162.5 MHz should be limited to a 1 watt maximum output power to minimize adjacent channel interference. Transmitter output powers of up to 5 watts may be approved on a case-by-case basis, provided the Department is satisfied that the unit will not interfere with other maritime mobile service stations.