Emergency Communication
Baofeng Radio Legality
UPDATED June 16 2021
There is a new LEGAL version of the Baofeng UV-5R for use in Canada its called the Baofeng UV-5R IC and has an approved Industry Canada number
There is a lot of information out there about the legal use of the Baofeng UV-5R and similar radios in Canada. Staff at Rapid Survival have discussed this topic with a subject matter expert and have written this blog post to help educate users.
Canadian Law
It is important to point out that Canadian law is different then the American law. American Law is often cited when discussing the use of the Baofeng radios.
All radios that operate within Canada require certification. There is one exemption. When they are built by someone in possession of an advanced amateur (HAM) radio licence they do not require certification. When a radio is built by an Advanced HAM licence holder that radio can only be operated on HAM frequencies.
Radios that transmit on specific frequencies such as the Family Band (FRS) or GMRS frequencies require appropriate licencing. In order to legally transmit on those bands the radio requires a certification from Industry Canada. Amateur radios are not certified to operate on FRS frequencies, they cannot ever be authorized as per section 4 of the Radio Communications Act for use outside ham bands.
The Baofeng family of radios is considered to be an amateur (HAM) radio and does NOT have the required certifications to transmit outside of HAM radio frequencies.
The onus is upon the end user to comply with proper certification to operate radios within Canada.
The Baofeng radios can not legally be used to transmit outside of HAM frequencies, unless the operator holds the appropriate certifications.
Amateur (HAM) radio licences can be obtained from Industry Canada, see our blog post that contains HAM radio licencing resources.
Hi, I am planning to buy the Baofeng Radios for my family. We are usually going out for camping, road trips and hunting. My primary objective is to use the radio for communication with family members and friends. I found out that I can use the Baofeng radio to communicate with FRS/GMRS frequencies (like walkie talkies motorola, Cobra and Uniden radios that can be bought from Bestbuy). I chose Baofeng Radios as it is cheaper, can be used for emergencies, FM capable, Emergency channels etc…
I am located in Ontario Canada. Do you think I am in legal side using this Baofeng radios in these purposes as mentioned above? The radio looks cool, compact and a bit tactical to use.
The radios are over powered for Family Band and lack the approval of authorities for transmission on FRS or GMRS in Canada.
In Canada, GMRS on Ch 1-7 and Ch 15- 22 are allowed power up to 2W without license. I use my Baofeng on Low power (1W) with my brothers when we go hiking on GMRS Ch 1 -7 or 15 -22 and i never had any issues. I know removable antennas are not allowed nobody will come after you if you are using GMRS on low power.
NOTE: GMRS Ch 8 -15 is max 0.5W which is below the minimum 1W on some Baofeng. Avoid those on the Baofeng.
Can i use the baofeng radio to connect to the family walkie talkie in FRS and GMRS without violating any laws in Canada or even in USA when travelling?
The Baofeng radios are over powered and lack the approvals from Canadian authorities to transmit on the Family Band.
Yes and No. In Canada, GMRS on Ch 1-7 and Ch 15- 22 are allowed power up to 2W without license. I use my Baofeng on Low power (1W) with my brothers when we go hiking on GMRS Ch 1 -7 or 15 -22 and i never had any issues. I know removable antennas are not allowed nobody will come after you if you are using GMRS on low power.
NOTE: GMRS Ch 8 -15 is max 0.5W which is below the minimum 1W on some Baofeng. Avoid those on the Baofeng.
Hi I understand about Baofeng radios what you said Eric but if I set up radio on 2 W can I use in GMRS mode ofc with proper frequencies ?
Hi Zuki,
According to Industry Canada, and the Radio Communications Act these radios can only be used on HAM frequencies. Any other use would be in contravention of the Radio Communications Act.
Hi, Eric,
I m a Airsoft player, me and my friends bought some used boaFeng uv5r.
So if we only use the radio within the HAM, are we use them legally?
If not, is there any way that we could use them legally?
Thank you.
If you and ALL your airsoft friends each hold a valid Amateur Radio License, then yes, if not, then NO.
Be warned, hams will protect their frequencies, if each you use your radios with out the proper license, the hams will track you down and report you to the government, penalties are sever, choose wisely. You would be better off buying FRS radios, buy enough at one time and you would might get a slight discount.
Hi,
I m a Airsoft player, me and my friends bought some used boaFeng uv5r.
So if we only use the radio within the HAM, are we use them legally?
If not, is there any way that we could use them legally?
Thank you.
just to confirm, but assuming i only used said baofeng to transmit on the 70cm and 2m ham bands that its capable of reaching, that would be legal, correct? so long as i dont transmit on frs or other non ham bands, it should be ok? as far as i know, in the US, the baofengs are outright illegal to use on any frequency for transmission, irregardles of if it is used intierly within the ham bands. all this assuming the operator has their ham license.
It is outright illegal in Canada too but if you use it on GMRS Ch 1-7 or 15-22 at low power (1W), I don’t think anybody would come after you. Just avoid Ch 8-14 which is max 0.5W.
You can only transmit on amateur radio frequencies if you’re licensed to do so.
would it be possible to have a list of radio brands that are legal and illegal to use as a transmitter
Are you a licensed ham?
If not, you may Not use them on 2m and 440, period
The UV5R is now sold in Canada as UV5RIC
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I’m lucky I got an unblocked UV-5R. But I plan to get my ham ticket.
Hey,
Both links in the first paragraph are dead.
I’m looking for a recreation/survival radio setup. In other words.. a radio I can use for group communication legally without an amateur license; but can do more in emergency situations (or if the world goes to heck).