Import restictions on radios?
 

I was looking through Ebay.ca and came across a prc-77 radio.
Are these a restricted item? It is not from the US.

No. As long as you have the FCC sticker on there, you should be fine.

They appear to be old US radios left behind I guess in other country's.
I'm not sure of a FCC sticker on them.Would they need to be tested
then?

Perhaps I should ask if someone on the forum knows of a good place in
Canada to look,I have seen some in surplus stores,but they
were non working.:cool:

Well most things wireless, have a sticker or engraving that says they operate withing FCC standards. Not sure if that would decrease your chances of importing though. The import laws should mention something, if not, and you are still in doubt, call them. Contrary to what some might say, they are pretty helpful.

I shall do that,thanks.mean while I might find one yet in Canada
with a little time.:cool:

These are fine to bring in; you don't need to be so paranoid when it comes to importing radio equipment.

They will not have FCC stickers, they are military radios. We also used these before we received the TCCCS digital radios, so there are enough of them floating around in country as well.

I thought Canada had 2-watt limits without a license vs. 5-watt limits in the U.S.?

Correct, however I've brought in numerous 5 watt radios over the past 5 years and have had no problems.

The only experience I had where someone pitched a fit was when I had a moto saber 2 that I wanted programmed, and the owner of the radio store I took it to proceeded to lecture me on the limits and licensing req's etc.

Flyguy was telling me of there use and the undesired interference
to others.But this is starting sound a bit better,I will keep looking
in country first though.
I was just looking through my manual and it says, 1.1 to 2 watts.
Range is 2.5 to 8 KM as a man pack,and 13 KM vehicle.

Are you planning on using it, or just having it?

Would be fun to listen to,but I wouldn't mind using it once in awhile.:cool:

Does your team run VHF band radios instead of UHF? Most airsoft players run UHF setups so you won't be compatible w/ the vast majority of players.

I was thinking of having two radios for personal use,maybe for a
large game I might use them.I kind of like that they are not compatible
in a small way,but hey,I like to be different:D

What are you doing about batteries, making your own or vehicle mounting it?

Once I have one,I may be able to make more.

For reference, my 5-watt UHF radio can go 5+ miles in the city, with all the interference of a city.

These radios are FM units,so I am not sure how different they will
act compared to UHF,VHF,AM or the assortment of other radios?:cool:

Radio licensing, in my experience, isn't something CBSA worries about. I've imported lots of radios with no CBSA interference. BUT if you use that radio and interfere with licensed traffic and get caught, you'll be in a world of hurt.

FM refers to the type of MODULATION, where as UHF and VHF refer to specific FREQUENCY bands.

What you should be in the market for is a FM 2way radio that operates on the 440-470MHz UHF band, which is capable of 12.5kz channel stepping/spacing.

You need to educate yourself on radio theory before you blow money on a radio that won't be able to talk to anyone else.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_modulation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Radio_Service

Thanks Kokanee for the head ache from those links LOL
I understood some of the formulas but it has been close
to two and a half decades since I have seen these types
of values and are now lost on me.I realize there is a form
a interference inherent with these radios when in use.
This does not mean I am trying to cause harm to others.
With the limited use of these units,I will not interfere as
much as ppl may think.I do plan to have them tested for
frequency issues when I have time.
Continued input is greatly appreciated.:cool:

I received a PM from my friend Flyguy,he said it was a brief
pm:DI hate see long winded;)

I has made me aware of the issues of these radios,with very limited
use,they can be used to an effective means of comm traffic for
games.:cool:

Wouxun KG-UVD1P

- VHF&UHF, UHF&UHF or VHF&VHF working modes
- Frequency Range: 136-174MHz & 400-470MHz
- Step（5K/6.25K/10K/12.5K/25K/50K/100K）
- UHF:4W; VHF:5W

+ lots of other features.

I was looking at the 25khm step radios,also had encryption settings.
This means twice as many channels as the 50khm style radios.
I do appreciate that the members here are trying to steer me to
these commercial radios.But at the moment I am focused on these
prc-77 radios.:cool:

Fair enough, it's your money and if you want it go for it, just remember that you'll end up lugging a radio around that you most likely won't be able to use for talking to anyone else.

When you eventually realize you wasted your money, the vietnam airsofters are always interested in buying 77 sets to convert into FRS radios.

Now you said something that makes mores sense,"convert".
I do plan on getting more than one radio.I do do not consider
this a waste of money for collecting things I like.:cool:

I am not interested right now to revalve my system to the
current radios used by other teams.

Ohhh, seen! Yes, from the "collector" standpoint the PRC-77 is a nice bit of kit, and you'll be happy with one as long as you get it in working order. Even if it's busted, they are easy to fix as it predates integrated circuits and it's made up of plug and play modules for easy repair in the field.

To answer your original question then now that we've got that straight; you should not have a problem bringing one of these into the country. If you are a little hesitant, have the seller label it as a "collector's item" "non-functional" on the customs paperwork.

Regarding the "but if I use a radio not approved for use in Canada, won't the police come and beat me if I turn it on?";

As long as you are not interfering w/ other transmitters who have that part of the spectrum allocated you will be fine. Industry Canada is the agency responsible for spectrum allocation/enforcement up here and unless you are screwing with other transmitters (cell sites, airport beacons, police channels etc) they are not going to bother with you.