BasicB-001-013-008

What language may you use when identifying your station?

C
Answer
Regulations and administration
Type
A
Any language being used for a contact
B
Any language being used for a contact, providing Canada has a third-party communications agreement with that country
C
English or French
D
Any language of a country that is a member of the International Telecommunication Union

Answer Notes

In Canada, the official languages are English and French. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) requires that all legal station identification be transmitted in one of these two official languages. While amateur radio operators are perfectly free to converse in any language they choose during their actual contacts, the regulatory requirement to identify the station (transmitting your call sign) must be fulfilled in English or French. This ensures that Canadian spectrum monitors can easily recognize and log who is transmitting. Options suggesting you can use any language for your ID are incorrect, as it would make regulatory enforcement and interference tracking nearly impossible for domestic authorities.
Previous · B-001-013-007
When may an amateur radio operator transmit unidentified communications?
Next · B-001-013-009
The call sign of an amateur radio station must be transmitted: