CQ-Contest
[Top] [All Lists]

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

To: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Canadian/U.S. Reciprocal Requirements (was: looking for guest operators for November sweeps)
From: K3ZJ David Siddall <davek3zj@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2025 11:08:07 -0400
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
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-agreement/
(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-radio-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



On Fri, Sep 12, 2025 at 8:57 AM Gerry Hull <gerry@remote.radio> wrote:

> Scott let me do it once.  Conplication is you must have a Canadian Anvanced
> Amateur to do that.
>
> In person, your US license is fine.
>
> 73
>
> Gerry W1VE/VY1AAA
>
> On Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 1:54 PM Mike Fatchett W0MU <w0mu@w0mu.com> wrote:
>
> > Remote that station and you will have a list a mile long wanting to
> > operate!
> >
> > W0MU
> >
> > On 9/10/2025 10:35 PM, Scott Sheppard wrote:
> > > I am not sure what is permissible on this site with regards to
> messages, so
> > > I expect if I step out of line, the moderator will delete the message
> and I
> > > will be struck with a bolt of lightening!...until such time, here is
> the
> > > pitch:
> > > I have recently finished a little Yukon cabin on our 9 acres in Grizzly
> > > Valley and would love to host some guest Ops for sweeps (or maybe even
> > > other contests).  Costs would be minimal and you would be well fed and
> > > watered...
> > >
> > > Antennas are not elaborate by BIG contest station standards, but the
> mono
> > > band yagis for 15, 20 and 40 hold their own.
> > >
> > > November is going to be a busy time for me in other ways, and while I
> will
> > > be around, I can't put in the hours...
> > > If you ever wanted to be on the end of a screaming pileup, November in
> > > Yukon is the time.
> > >
> > > Whitehorse has regular Jet service from Vancouver and Calgary several
> times.
> > > a day. You are only a 2 hr flight out of Vancouver.
> > >
> > > Please reach out direct to my QRZ address if interested and we can
> provide
> > > more clarity.
> > >
> > > regards
> > >
> > > Scott
>
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>