There are only four possible questions in this topic area. You will get one of these four questions on your exam.
The Radiocommunication Act is a law passed by federal parliament. It is a very short piece of legislation that leaves much detail to the regulations. Regulations are easier to change than laws, so they are more adaptable to the changing environment of the radio spectrum. The Radiocommunication Act contains no mention of Amateur Radio at all.
Amateur Radio is mentioned in the Radiocommunication Regulations. The regulations define Amateur Radio as:
“a radiocommunication service in which radio apparatus are used for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication or technical investigation by individuals who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest”.
This is almost word-for-word the definition that appears in the International Telecommunication Union’s Radio Regulations (ITU-RR).
The Radiocommunication Regulations assigns responsibility to the federal department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) to administer most radiocommunications matters and to set standards for radio services. That includes Amateur Radio. That’s where we get the detailed regulatory information that appears in RBR-4 – Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service.
Broadcasting is a radio transmission intended to inform or entertain the public. We don’t do that in Amateur Radio. Broadcasters, like the CBC, are regulated through the Broadcasting Act and a federal agency called CRTC. The CRTC has nothing to do with Amateur Radio. There are other agencies and policies that have something to do with radio, but it’s the Radiocommunications Regulations, ISED, the standards made by ISED and ISED policy that are relevant to Amateur Radio.
B-001-001-001-
Which document assigns the authority to make Canadian regulations governing radiocommunications?
- The Radiocommunication Act
- The Broadcasting Act
- The Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service
- The International Telecommunication Union’s Radio Regulations
B-001-001-002-
Which document assigns the authority to publish Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service in Canada?
- The Radiocommunication Act
- The Radiocommunication Regulations
- The Broadcasting Act
- The International Telecommunication Union’s Radio Regulations
B-001-001-003-
Which department is responsible for the administration of the Radiocommunication Act?
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- Transport Canada
- Communications Security Establishment Canada
- National Defence
B-001-001-004-
Which document defines the Canadian amateur radio service?
- The Radiocommunication Regulations
- The Radiocommunication Act
- The Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service
- The Radio Systems Policies