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Re: [CQ-Contest] Canadian/U.S. Reciprocal Requirements (was: looking for

To: <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Canadian/U.S. Reciprocal Requirements (was: looking for guest operators for November sweeps)
From: <john@kk9a.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2025 21:22:44 -0400
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
That is a very good point on the callsign being followed by the Canadian
province designator. 
Can a U.S. club callsign be used in Canada (with the portable designator) or
does it have to be the operator's FCC callsign?

John KK9A


David Siddall davek3zj wrote:

I would add to Gerry's caution that, unique to Canada, the only proper
(legal) way to identify as a reciprocal operator is by your U.S. call sign
FOLLOWED by the portable designator.  It is "K3ZJ/VY1", not the other way
around.  (The reciprocal operating agreement predates the international
change to putting country designators first.)  Also, under the agreement
and applicable rules, you MUST be a U.S. citizen to use your FCC license in
Canada, and *vice versa*, you MUST be a Canadian citizen to use your
Canadian license in the United States.  Finally, if you hold a Canadian or
U.S. license, you can use ONLY that license in the respective country.
 (You cannot operate as K3ZJ/VY1 if you hold a Canadian license.)

[BTW, these last two also apply to using an FCC license as a reciprocal
license under CEPT: you must be a U.S. citizen and not hold a license in
the country that you are visiting.]

These requirements are explicitly specified in the U.S./Canadian agreement,
so doing it this way is not optional. They are the same for
Canadian licensees operating in the U.S.  See:
https://www.rac.ca/operating/canada-united-states-reciprocal-operating-agree
ment/
(Canada);
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97/subpart
-B/section-97.119#p-97.119(g)
 and
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radi
o-service/reciprocal-operating-arrangements
(United
States).

These limitations are not widely understood in our community, so I offer
this in the hope that anyone taking advantage of Scott's generous offer to
operate in VY1 avoids DQ afterwards.  (IMHO, a warning would be appropriate
for an unintentional i.d. infraction, with DQ only for a second offense;
the other two requirements go to legal licensing and would be appropriate
DQ justification.)

73, Dave K3ZJ


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