GL: Eastern Canadian Questions

[Dennis Bruckel]

Bob McLearn asked...

(1) Do you need a radio-operator's license (as some of the Canada based 
web sites indicate) or can you "get by" without one?
 
(2) Where is the best place to get electronic and paper charts of 
Canadian waters?
 
(3) For internet access, can we purchase an air-card which will work in 
Canada on a Canadian cell phone network or ISP (similar to what we could 
get with Verizon or AT&T in the US)?

Dennis replies....

1. I know of no one who's ever ben asked to produce a license for their VHF
radio. And, as others have said, there is a 90 day grace period anyway. I
don't worry about it and spend part of most summers in Canada.

2. See the web site at http://www.chs-shc.gc.ca/pub/en/products/cat/. This
is the Canadian Hydrographic Servies web site and has both electronic and
paper charts. Also, Ess-Kay Marina in Baldwinsville, NY, near the Oswego
Canal may have what you need, but may have a slight price markup added.
Call ahead to reserve what you want there. Phone number is in Waterway
Guide's coverage for the area.

3. This changes annually with policies of individual carriers. In 2006 we
were able to change Verizon's plan from America's Choice to North American
and had farily good coverage in all of Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence
River's 1,000 Islands, the Rideau, Ottawa River, and Richeleau Canals WiFi
is likely to be available as well, particularly with an antenna. If you
want to change a cell plan with Verizon, you MUST do this prior to crossing
the border. It can be done with just a phone call to Verizon. Record the
name and phone of the individual with whom you talk to gurarantee you can
return to the same plan when you re-enter the States. They will want you to
sign up for the plan now available, not necessarily what you had when you
left. Some calls well prior to the day you want to cross the border may be
appropriate.

I hope we are able to cross wakes this summer. We will be headed south from
Lake Champlain to the NYS Canals in mid June, then across NYS.

Dennis


Dennis Bruckel, Cruising Editor
Waterway Guide
Albin 27  Sadie B
website www.debruckel.com 
cell phone 407 414 0531