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Online VHF course, May 5 sold out, May 16 and May 30 added

OrcaBoats said:
I have been wanting to get my VHF for many years. Do you need a radio on hand to take the course?
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Hi Rod,

No, you do not need to have a radio on hand. There are so many different radios with different features we couldn't cover them all. This course covers rules and procedures.

It's a unique opportunity; usually this course requires in-person attendance, but for the duration of the COVID crisis, the Canadian Power Squadron is allowing online courses. So if you live somewhere remote, or the course is never offered at a convenient time or place for you, this is your chance!

So sign up!
 
I have several friends in the USA who kayak in Canada and might be interested in such a course. Any problem in them taking such a course or mailing the book to the USA?
 
drahcir said:
I have several friends in the USA who kayak in Canada and might be interested in such a course. Any problem in them taking such a course or mailing the book to the USA?
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I'm checking for you and will reply as soon as I have the answer. They do understand that the Certificate would not be valid in the States, right?
 
drahcir said:
I have several friends in the USA who kayak in Canada and might be interested in such a course. Any problem in them taking such a course or mailing the book to the USA?
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So I checked with my boss at Jericho Beach Kayak. She's fine with having them register and mailing them the manuals. Her only concern is that the manuals may not arrive on time for the course, something we wouldn't have any control over. So if they're willing to take that chance, great. Another possibility is that if we get a lot of uptake for this course and sell out, we may put on a second online course in the future, so they might want to wait and see if that happens.

Thanks for your interest.

And, BTY, we'll touch briefly on this in the course, but just a reminder to your friends: VHFs have different channel modes for USA, International and Canada. Most radios sold in the States will probably "wake up" in USA mode by default out of the box. Don't forget to switch them over to Canuck mode when you cross the border, eh?
 
drahcir said:
Although triggered by COVID-19, the online course is a good idea in general.
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I agree with you. I think a lot of educational institutions who found themselves forced by COVID to offer online classes may find it's simply good business to go on offering online options even after the isolation requirements are relaxed.
 
I’ve seen those options for USA/Canada/International but when I’ve looked at the differences, I didn’t seen anything stick out that was germane to sea kayakers. Channel 16 was still the calling freq. The general communications channels were in the high 60’s lower 70’s.

Not to “read ahead”, but what are the more important differences we should be aware of - for those who might not make it to class.
Not asking for a full run down - just where would I focus my looking to see where the USA vs Canada makes a difference. That is, I know there are differences, just didn’t notice them in the monitored and “chat” channels.
 
kayakwriter said:
I agree with you. I think a lot of educational institutions who found themselves forced by COVID to offer online classes may find it's simply good business to go on offering online options even after the isolation requirements are relaxed.
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It's good to see alternatives being explored.

I think it depends on the course material and also what constitutes 'online instruction'.
How do you pair up students and have them practice radio calls in an online course? That was the most useful part of the VHF course when I took it.
How do I look over a student's shoulder and see what error they are making in measuring a bearing on a chart? etc etc...
Doesn't the need for apps and other 'computer stuff' present a barrier for some people?
Beyond that, how do you control 'cheating' in an online situation?
The online instruction movement was certainly popular before COVID with some provincial governments, but I don't think it was because it's a more effective means of instruction.
Good business is something different.....and plenty of businesses are jumping on the COVID19 situation to make moves. Telus is using the present situation to cancel all paper billing - something they previously tried but were 'corrected' the CRTC, as I recall. Lots of other examples will show up, I suppose.
 
cougarmeat said:
I’ve seen those options for USA/Canada/International but when I’ve looked at the differences, I didn’t seen anything stick out that was germane to sea kayakers. Channel 16 was still the calling freq. The general communications channels were in the high 60’s lower 70’s. SNIP That is, I know there are differences, just didn’t notice them in the monitored and “chat” channels.
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Not at home right now, so don't have my manual handy, but I seem to remember that a few of the channels that are simplex in the States are duplex in Canada. Or possibly the other way around...

And FYI, we have added a second course on May 30. Plenty of time to send books to the States!
 
cougarmeat said:
Not asking for a full run down - just where would I focus my looking to see where the USA vs Canada makes a difference. That is, I know there are differences, just didn’t notice them in the monitored and “chat” channels.
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Here's the 'full run down' :)
wiki.radioreference.com

Marine VHF Band Plans - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com wiki.radioreference.com

I agree with you that there aren't any differences between CAN/USA in the 'usual' channels most kayakers use.
I don't use duplex VHF channels and as kayakwriter mentions there are some differences there, I think.
I think 21B (RX only) is the exception in my most-used channels - it's used for WX in CAN, perhaps not showing if your radio is set to USA?
 
For US peeps traveling to Canada (Someday again.. Sigh): In the US we do not need a license to operate, however, in Canada we do (technically you need a license if you communicate with a foreign vessel even while operating in the US, though I have not heard of this ever being enforced).

The US and Canada have a reciprocal agreement to accept each others licenses. The license to get is called the "Restricted Radio Operator Permit (RR)" and you can get it through FCC form 605 or online through the "Universal Licensing System" http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home

I do not know if taking the Canadian course will get you the Canadian license as a US citizen/resident. I know the FCC here gets dificult about such things..
 
Jasper said:
I do not know if taking the Canadian course will get you the Canadian license as a US citizen/resident. I know the FCC here gets dificult about such things..
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The CPS manual states "All persons operating a radio in Canadian waters must comply with regulations of their own country of origin. The certificate required by recreational marine operators based in Canada is the Restricted Operator's Certificate."
We're not aware of any requirement to be a Canadian citizen, but we're double checking with CPS to clarify things. I'll post the update here as soon as we have it. FYI, due to the intense interest, we will be adding a third on-line course on about May 16 if we get the go-ahead from CPS. I'll keep everyone posted on that too.
 
Hi all,

So we got a reply from CPS on the issue of Americans using VHF in Canadian waters and vice versa. Rather than introduce possible errors by paraphrasing it, I'll paste it in full below. Hope it helps:

U.S. vessel operators, including kayakers, visiting Canadian waters in their own U.S. vessels have 45 days continuous before they need to meet Canadian requirements. This is the extent of any reciprocal agreement. However, if they are in Canadian waters operating a Canadian vessel they need to have a ROC(M).

If U.S. boaters, including kayakers, travel to Canadian waters they will need a Station License for the radio itself, including hand helds, from their own FCC. For Canadians boating in U.S. waters they also require a Station License that they can get from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

In the U.S. boaters do not need a Certificate to operate a VHF radio or a Station License.
 
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