I have removed the requestor's identifiers, but found this interesting. If you operate using digital voice modes - D-star, C4FM and/or DMR, this pertains to you. Begin at the bottom and read up.
Richard
VE3OZW
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: spectrum_victoria / victoria_spectre (IC) <spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Date: Mon, Sep 16, 2024, 1:27 PM
Subject: RE: Identifying using D-Star and C4FM and DMR
To:
Cc: spectrum_victoria / victoria_spectre (IC) <spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca>, Spectrum Amateur / Spectre Amateur (IC) <spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Good day Reg,
You are correct, automatic transmission of callsign is permitted in the amateur band. As you rightfully point out, per RBR-3 there is no indication that automatic transmission is prohibited, only that the callsign must be transmitted at least once in each transmission and at least once every 30 minutes of transmission. Since there is no specific prohibition on automatic transmission, the way the RBR reads it is permitted.
Best regards,
Erik Van Roosmalen
Spectrum Management Officer, STS-Western Region
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada / Government of Canada
spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca / Tel: 250-363-3803 / TTY: 1-866-694-8389
Agent de gestion du spectre, SST-Region de l'Ouest
Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca / Tél. : 250-363-3803 / ATS : 1-866-694-8389
From: Spectrum Amateur / Spectre Amateur (IC) <spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2024 8:08 AM
To: spectrum_victoria / victoria_spectre (IC) <spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Cc: reg@natarajan.ca
Subject: FW: Identifying using D-Star and C4FM and DMR
Good morning,
The ARSC has received a technical query from an amateur in your district. Please assist the client and CC the ARSC on any correspondence, so it may be attached to his file.
Thank you,
Amy Shand
Program Administrator, Eastern and Northern Ontario District, Spectrum Management Operations Branch
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada / Government of Canada
spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca / Tel: 1-888-780-3333 / TTY: 1-866-694-8389
Administrateur de programme, District de l'Est et du Nord de l'Ontario, Direction générale des opérations de la gestion du spectre
Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca / Tél: 1-888-780-3333 / TTY: 1-866-694-8389
From:
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2024 3:03 AM
To: Spectrum Amateur / Spectre Amateur (IC) <spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Subject: Identifying using D-Star and C4FM and DMR
Hello,
As you are likely aware, three digital modes in common use in amateur radio (D-Star, C4FM, and DMR) all have the capability of transmitting call signs automatically without an operator verbally stating his call sign. Very specifically, when an operator keys a D-Star or C4FM radio, the receiving party instantly sees the transmitting station's call sign on their radio without any verbal communications having been made.
My question is simply this: does the aforementioned automatic transmission of a call sign in digital voice modes constitute identification as specified in RBR-3 (Technical Requirements Respecting Identification of Radio Stations)?
RBR-3 states: The operator of each radio station communicating with other radio stations shall transmit the assigned call sign at least once in each transmission and at least once every 30 minutes of transmission.
I note that RBR-3 does not specify the exact manner in which the call sign is to be transmitted.
I further note that the call sign, when transmitted automatically by these digital voice modes, is easily decipherable by any receiving station (no secret code or cipher).
Additionally, CW does not require verbal transmission of a call sign.
My reading of the law is that a user of a C4FM, D-Star, or DMR radio does not need to verbally identify their station as long as their call sign is automatically transmitted by their radio within the mode they are using, and as long as that call sign is easily decipherable by any receiving station operating in the same mode. Please confirm ISED's interpretation of the law in this case.
As always, I appreciate your helping amateur radio operators understand the laws and regulations that govern us. I will share your response with interested members of our community.
Best regards,
Richard
VE3OZW
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: spectrum_victoria / victoria_spectre (IC) <spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Date: Mon, Sep 16, 2024, 1:27 PM
Subject: RE: Identifying using D-Star and C4FM and DMR
To:
Cc: spectrum_victoria / victoria_spectre (IC) <spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca>, Spectrum Amateur / Spectre Amateur (IC) <spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Good day Reg,
You are correct, automatic transmission of callsign is permitted in the amateur band. As you rightfully point out, per RBR-3 there is no indication that automatic transmission is prohibited, only that the callsign must be transmitted at least once in each transmission and at least once every 30 minutes of transmission. Since there is no specific prohibition on automatic transmission, the way the RBR reads it is permitted.
Best regards,
Erik Van Roosmalen
Spectrum Management Officer, STS-Western Region
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada / Government of Canada
spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca / Tel: 250-363-3803 / TTY: 1-866-694-8389
Agent de gestion du spectre, SST-Region de l'Ouest
Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca / Tél. : 250-363-3803 / ATS : 1-866-694-8389
From: Spectrum Amateur / Spectre Amateur (IC) <spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2024 8:08 AM
To: spectrum_victoria / victoria_spectre (IC) <spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Cc: reg@natarajan.ca
Subject: FW: Identifying using D-Star and C4FM and DMR
Good morning,
The ARSC has received a technical query from an amateur in your district. Please assist the client and CC the ARSC on any correspondence, so it may be attached to his file.
Thank you,
Amy Shand
Program Administrator, Eastern and Northern Ontario District, Spectrum Management Operations Branch
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada / Government of Canada
spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca / Tel: 1-888-780-3333 / TTY: 1-866-694-8389
Administrateur de programme, District de l'Est et du Nord de l'Ontario, Direction générale des opérations de la gestion du spectre
Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca / Tél: 1-888-780-3333 / TTY: 1-866-694-8389
From:
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2024 3:03 AM
To: Spectrum Amateur / Spectre Amateur (IC) <spectrumamateur-spectreamateur@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Subject: Identifying using D-Star and C4FM and DMR
Hello,
As you are likely aware, three digital modes in common use in amateur radio (D-Star, C4FM, and DMR) all have the capability of transmitting call signs automatically without an operator verbally stating his call sign. Very specifically, when an operator keys a D-Star or C4FM radio, the receiving party instantly sees the transmitting station's call sign on their radio without any verbal communications having been made.
My question is simply this: does the aforementioned automatic transmission of a call sign in digital voice modes constitute identification as specified in RBR-3 (Technical Requirements Respecting Identification of Radio Stations)?
RBR-3 states: The operator of each radio station communicating with other radio stations shall transmit the assigned call sign at least once in each transmission and at least once every 30 minutes of transmission.
I note that RBR-3 does not specify the exact manner in which the call sign is to be transmitted.
I further note that the call sign, when transmitted automatically by these digital voice modes, is easily decipherable by any receiving station (no secret code or cipher).
Additionally, CW does not require verbal transmission of a call sign.
My reading of the law is that a user of a C4FM, D-Star, or DMR radio does not need to verbally identify their station as long as their call sign is automatically transmitted by their radio within the mode they are using, and as long as that call sign is easily decipherable by any receiving station operating in the same mode. Please confirm ISED's interpretation of the law in this case.
As always, I appreciate your helping amateur radio operators understand the laws and regulations that govern us. I will share your response with interested members of our community.
Best regards,