Telemetry Tracking systems--- Not legal either

[Stuart22]

I applied for a licence to operate my Wildlife TRX-3S in the 218 frequency. I've been denied a licence! They also do not meet the Canadian requirements of the Sault. St. Marie District office for the north and eastern ontario. (Industry Canada)
In May 2002 they were approved by Industry Canada, somehow they have been exempted now.

The telemetry boxes were all built and work on the same MURS frequencies , Wildlife boxes according to their web site all operate on frequencies 148 to 222. Other collars work with my box so I assume, Johnson, Quick Track etc, all use the same frequencies.

They have been in Canada since at least the early 70's.

I've been told to buy a system that is approved in Canada and utilizes one of the "licence exempted bands."

I've asked for a list of the approved equipment from Industry Canada. Hope it isn't too big. I will share it with all the advocates.
I applied October 30th, 2014, declined via email January 13th , 2015.

[werner.reiche]

I always assumed the telemetry collars were legal. Innotek use uses 217,281,219. So I put off buying the garmin system for 3 years (until 2014) - when it was supposed to become legal - and the system I was using instead was also illegal... Oh well - I guess I can fell a bit less guilty about using the garmin.

[trimmer21]

I have no clue about radio frequency restrictions,so,what is it about these units that make them illegal?

[Hunter John]

And who would find out if you were using them ? not advocating it just wondering.

[werner.reiche]

I don't think anyone would ever find out - I guess if someone found your dog with the collar on and called the cops to report it instead of calling you. Very, very unlikely. Fine is 25K for it though. I don't think its so much a worry about getting caught - just that there are still some people out there that like to follow the law just on principle, not for fear of getting caught.

[Hunter John]

I agree Werner .I don't have any skin in the game as I don't run dogs I was just curious . Why are they illegal?

[werner.reiche]

The devices themselves are not illegal - it is the radio frequency the collars broadcast on is restricted.

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst...g/sf10822.html

[last5oh_302]

I read something about certain frequencies interfering with others that are being used daily. I just found this. It's NZ but I'm sure the reasons are the same:

"Despite a clampdown on illegal dog-tracking collars, importers and hunters are continuing to flout the law, with more than 100 devices intercepted this summer.
Chris Brennan, Compliance Manager for the Radio Spectrum Group at the Ministry of Economic Development, says the government is cracking down on illegal dog-tracking devices because they dangerously interfere with other radio transmission services.

“While not all dog-tracking devices are illegal, some of those being imported operate on the same radio frequencies as equipment used by people travelling and working in rural areas, such as forestry workers, Department of Conservation rangers, or search and rescue crew. This spectrum is licensed to those operators,” he says.
“This is an issue we take very seriously. We are particularly concerned that illegal dog-tracking devices could interfere with rescue services in remote areas – for example, a search and rescue crew looking for an injured tramper in the bush.”
Individual hunters using illegal dog-tracking devices risk prosecution. If caught, they could face fines of up to $30,000 and a criminal record. Companies face even bigger fines – a maximum of $200,000."

http://www.med.govt.nz/about-us/news...rs-intercepted

[Snowwalker]

I don't think anyone would ever find out - I guess if someone found your dog with the collar on and called the cops to report it instead of calling you. Very, very unlikely. Fine is 25K for it though. I don't think its so much a worry about getting caught - just that there are still some people out there that like to follow the law just on principle, not for fear of getting caught.

A lot of the freqs you guys are listing are near or in bands used for transponders, RF id tags. That would cause problems for companies using them, as well as things like the 407 and "CUSTOMS"at border crossings. Yup you drive down a toll road/bridge or cross a border and the collars are on they will attract attention.

Now on the other hand they are also very close to the VHF and UHF ham bands. So if anyone was to get their license they could move the collar and remote's operating frequncey into a ham band and 100% legal to use.
In fact the tracking idea is exactly what APRS mode does in ham radio. It lets you track another node( dog, car, hunter, anything you like) as well as lets you exchange messages.

[Hunter John]

Thanks for the info guys .