BC radio assisted road sign.

If you travel off-highway in British Columbia or elsewhere in Canada, you may encounter signs such as the one above, indicating a radio-assisted resource road. What this means is that drivers using these roads (should) be using a VHF two-way radio to call out their location (at km markers and specific points) to others.

“Radio controlled” is different than “radio assisted”, and means that ALL vehicles using that road must use a radio.

Why is This Radio Stuff So Important?

Resource roads, used for logging, etc., are often narrow, with blind corners and one-lane bridges. Only by using the correct two-way radio frequency or channel, (not CB, or GMRS) but a commercial VHF two-way radio, can everyone stay safe.

Please note that this article is not a detailed “how to” but meant to direct the reader to further resources which can help understand proper radio use.

What Kind of Radio Should I Use For Traveling Logging Roads in British Columbia?

The only radios legal for use on these channels are licensed LMR or “land mobile radios”. The license fee is $42 and most commercial 2-way radio shops can help you fill out the form. It’s a small price to pay for being legal, and having a properly working radio. Some recreational users use ham radio type handhelds and mobile units with external antennas, but these are only truly legal to listen in, not talk on these channels. A commercial set, installed for around $1,000 with an external antenna, is recommended to be legal. For what it’s worth, one person’s take on using cheaper radios, along with the amount of fines if found in violation can be found here https://www.westcoastplacer.com/program-your-radio-for-bcs-backroads/

Before sending an irate email, please note that we don’t advocate anything that violates radio regulations set forth by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED, formerly Industry Canada) and that second-hand, ISED approved radio gear can often be purchased far cheaper than the $1,000 mentioned above. You will find “logging road radios” and “resource road radios” for sale on Facebook marketplace in BC and Alberta.

External Antennas and Power:

Some roads are many kilometers long, and only by using a full-power setup, with external antenna, will you be able to hear when a vehicle calls out entering or leaving the road, or for them to be heard by you. A good radio and antenna is important, because everyone hearing each other is what makes the system work.

Partial list of Resource Road radio frequencies used in British Columbia

Please note that other radio channels besides RR channels are sometimes used on controlled/assisted roads. A qualified radio shop will add these as well.

What Does Typical Resource Road Radio Use Sound Like?

In British Columbia, drivers on a radio assisted road will announce when they are entering or exiting. Entering the road at the 0 km marker, a vehicle might call “Settlers, zero, up. If traveling with a convoy, add the number of vehicles at the end of your transmission, such as “Settlers, zero up, up for 3”.

Normal protocol is to call every two km, going up or down.

Up/Down vs. Loaded/Empty

Sometimes you may hear drivers saying “loaded” instead of “down” and “empty” instead of “up”. Either way, traffic that is coming down, or “loaded” has the right of way. The norm in BC now is to use “up/down.

Heading up a road (km markers increasing) you normally call every 2km, on even numbered markers. Call on odd numbers going down. If you forgot to call out a marker, it’s OK to call on an odd or even, traveling either way, or when necessary to let oncoming traffic know your exact location.

Listen, Listen, Listen

Like the game of “Marco Polo” radio controlled/assisted roads only work safely when everyone announces and listens to users relative positions, and moves safely into a pull-out a minimum of 2 km before meeting traffic coming down.

If you’re at “4 up”on road X, and hear someone say they’re at “8 down” you need to find a pull-out to move into, before meeting that vehicle, since they have right-of-way coming down. After pulling into a pull-out area, announce that you’ve done this. “Silver pickup in the clear at 6”.

Listen to how other drivers are using the radio on a given road, such as whether they’re calling out the road name each time on a long stretch.

Before heading up or down a radio controlled/assisted resource road in BC, park safely and take a few minutes to listen to calls from those coming up and down. This helps you know “who’s where” on the road, before heading out.

Meeting Other Traffic

When meeting other vehicles, especially if they’re not using a radio, you can help others know their location by saying “Settlers, 16, both ways”. You can also announce the location and direction of vehicles without radios to warn other drivers.

“Must Call” Signs

You will see signs that say something like “4km, Must Call”. This means all traffic must announce their position, since there’s a hazardous area ahead.

Other Tips for Using Radio on Resource Roads

  • Never use RR channels for chitchat.
  • Don’t be distracted and miss a call-out (yours or someone else’s). It could cost your life. Turn off music, other 2-ways, etc., and listen carefully.
  • Pay attention to signs and switch channels when entering another road and where signage indicates a channel change.
  • Call when entering/exiting the road or entering a new one, otherwise other drivers up ahead on the last road will still expect you coming.
  • When pulling into a safety pull-out, pull forward to make room for those behind you.
  • Tune your radio to the external antenna for best range. See article: How to Tune an External 2-Way Radio Antenna.
  • If you haven’t used your radio that day, do a radio check before entering road. Say “radio check, X road”, wait for a reply.
  • Hold your mic a few inches away from your mouth, speak clearly, at normal volume.
  • Protect the mic button from accidental transmitting. Don’t enable VOX. (Voice actuated transmit.)
  • Expect oncoming traffic around every bend and be aware that you’re in someone’s workplace. They want to go home alive at the end of the day, just like you.

What If I Don’t Have a Radio and Need To Travel A Radio Assisted Road in BC?

If you don’t have a radio capable of operating on the channels listed above, and need to travel on a road using this system, it’s best to wait at the start of the road for another vehicle that is radio – equipped, and ask to tag along behind them to your destination. If you’ve ever unexpectedly met a logging truck coming around a corner towards you, you’ll appreciate why this is a good thing to do.

Conclusion

This introduction to Canada’s radio controlled and assisted resource roads isn’t meant to be an all-inclusive tutorial. Watch the YouTube how-to video below for more info, as well as listen carefully to other driver’s radio calls before heading up/down a radio controlled/assisted road.

If you notice any errors or omissions in this article, please contact us at woofthebeatenpath at gmail.com.

References:

https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/conditions-licence-appendices/rr-british-columbia-resource-road-channels

https://energynow.ca/2019/05/radio-controlled-must-call-what-does-it-all-mean-ident-oil-gas-signage/

https://4wdabc.ca/our-projects/communications/

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