B. C. Boaters' Net 2011

The British Columbia Boaters' Net is now over for 2011. We hope all our visitors had a great summer and look forward to hearing everyone next year.

Thanks to Len VE7BSA, the BCBN net manager, and all net controllers for volunteering their time to make this net a great success.

Some changes have been made to the ITS web page. System status, pictures, and coverage plots have been added. The web page is always a "work in progress" and additional coverage plots will be added in the future. Any comments or suggestions are always encouraged and may be sent to va7rs@telus.net

Commercial Traffic (RIC 3)

All Amateurs operating in Canada are required to follow Canadian regulations. Radio Information Circular known as RIC 3 states:

47. A person who operates radio apparatus in the amateur radio service may only

(a) communicate with a radio station that operates in the amateur radio service; SOR/2000-78

(b) use a code or cipher that is not secret; and

(c) be engaged in communication that does not include the transmission of

* (i) music,
* (ii) commercially recorded material,
* (iii) programming that originates from a broadcasting undertaking, or

* (iv) radio communications in support of industrial, business or professional activities.

Section 47 Sub section (c) iv defines "Commercial Traffic"

Please do not use Amateur Radio to pass or transmit anything that may be considered commercial traffic.

One of the main reasons the ITS system was designed and built was so all Amateurs could use and enjoy the system. The ITS is an open system and all amateurs are encouraged to use and enjoy it.

IRLP and echlink nodes have been added to the ITS. Nodes are open with no access codes. All amateurs are more than welcome to use these features. We do request that all amateurs IDENTIFY before sending DTMF tones.

We hope that all our visitors have a wonderful summer.