[blinkinlights]

You do need a ham license to purchase a ham radio in Canada but they can ignore it and sell it to you anyway. You also need a license to transmit and it's not that difficult. The problem with these, and any rules for that matter, is that there is really no enforcement of these rules other than some high and mighty ham operators that might raise a shit if they catch you. To put it into perspective, in Edmonton, I've been told that there is one guy to enforce these usage rules and they don't provide him with a vehicle.

The other problem with ham radios is that these courses include a bunch of stuff that the average radio operator will never use. You've heard the story about the guy who, when you ask him the time, tells you how to build a watch...that's what these guys are like. I took the course and got over 80 and got my extended license but all I want it for is to talk to my buddies while wheeling. Frankly, I find the regular everyday chatter on the ham frequencies boring and full of guys who only use it to hear themselves talk. Don't get me wrong, there are many exceptional ham radio operators and it plays a great role in times of emergency but I feel that it will eventually become like CB's and everyone and their dog will be able to use them...it's just that no one will choose them over their cell phones.

Greg