Community Forums

ewlee · 01-02-2017, 10:40 AM

Since you plan on going to Alaska, in addition, plan your trip through Canada. If you enter from East Glacier plan on going through Banff and Jasper with a stop over on the Ice Fields. While in Banff go see Lake Louise and take the drive down Bow Valley Parkway. Lots of wildlife and very scenic and at a slower pace than the expressway. We used mostly card lock fuel stops along the way, very few Pilot or Loves. Buy a copy of the Alaskan Highway Guide to enrich your trip from Dawson Creek to Tok.

Dukerdr · 01-02-2017, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlenStMary

We went to Alaska last year and did not need a CDL. They didn't even request to look at my DL. or insurance papers. My only concern about going into Canada was a gun permit. I went online to the RCMP website and downloaded their gun permit form and filled it out. When entering Canada they looked at my form, requested $25 for a carry permit, and asked for no other permits or anything else. Getting into Canada was, for us, much easier than getting back into the US

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc3carl

There is no provision on the Canadian forms for "self defense". There is a provision for protection from wildlife so that's why we took it. We did not take any handgun, handgun parts, handgun ammunition or handgun holster (see a pattern here?).

The Canadian Border Agents will ask pointed questions about firearms and you'd best not have a handgun (or anything related to a handgun) unless you have complied with their very restrictive handgun regulations. We were asked about the shotgun at each subsequent crossing (Canada and US) but no agent ever entered our coach. BTW, we never felt threatened by any human or animal and never used the shotgun. I'm retired L. E. and don't leave home without a firearm...

Now THAT's the kind of information I was looking for when I joined here!

Thanks guys!

.

rlott2k · 01-02-2017, 08:49 PM

2nd on the Columbia IceFields Hiway, Banff to Jasper AB. A must see drive. Also if time permits visit Waterton National Park. Canada's sister part to Glacier National Park.

rlott2k · 01-02-2017, 08:50 PM

Park

Just For Fun · 01-02-2017, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc3carl

Good reminder about Bear Spray! Pepper Spray is NOT allowed in Canada but you can bring Bear Spray (?)! I read somewhere that a US EPA number should be on the label and we found it at Walmart!

On occasion we've carried (but fortunately have NEVER had to use it) wasp spray. What we like about it is that it shoots a relatively LONG distance.

Anyone ever used it?

Mr JP · 04-03-2017, 07:46 PM

With Summer fast approaching we are getting things in order I think !!! Direct TV just told me that their tv service will not work in Canada. Anybody experience this?
Thanks
JP

ewlee · 04-03-2017, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr JP

With Summer fast approaching we are getting things in order I think !!! Direct TV just told me that their tv service will not work in Canada. Anybody experience this?
Thanks
JP

Dish does not work in Canada, I think too far North

DrDaveMA · 04-03-2017, 09:49 PM

The typical dome on a MH will not go low enough to get a signal in Alaska or Canada.

GumpAir · 04-03-2017, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr JP

With Summer fast approaching we are getting things in order I think !!! Direct TV just told me that their tv service will not work in Canada. Anybody experience this?
Thanks
JP

Direct, and Dish, are not licensed in Canada and you won't get aiming info from the receiver.

But, both will work fine with a big enough dish. The domes and tailgaters may be too small as you go further north. I've used both services over the years, using a single lnb 18" dish. There are lots of aiming apps that get you close enough to find the satellites.

I used Dish when I lived in the Arctic. A four foot dish aimed pretty much at the southeast horizon. This was in Kotzebue, 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Mr JP · 04-04-2017, 08:12 PM

Hey thanks for the info on TV service. Do most of the parks have cable in Canada? Or how about in Alaska do the parks have cable? How about OTA reception with the antenna does that receive anything? This is making the wife a little nervous she likes to watch the weather channel and stay up on the current weather.
Thanks
JP

GumpAir · 04-04-2017, 08:49 PM

If you're using an open face 18" dish you should get good sat service 200+ miles north of the border. Go to 30" and you'll be OK way far north.

Here's some charts from KVH showing DirecTV coverage for North America with their different sized dishes.

United States Coverage: DIRECTV

Dish has better signal far north.

twogypsies · 04-04-2017, 09:44 PM

You could get a weather radio. It can be very liberating being away for the television!

GlenStMary · 04-05-2017, 06:14 AM

We had no problem with DirecTV, until we headed further north to Fairbanks. While in Palmer we were able to get our normal reception.

msy4us · 04-05-2017, 02:10 PM

We had more problems with cell phone service than television - we bought "SPOT" satellite locator, set it up and every time we would move we would spot our location and a pre recorded message would be sent to our designated people that would let them know of our location and that we were all right. It also has 2 emergency messages to call 1st responders - one that tells them that we need assistance and another that says immediate attention needed, send ambulance, police, etc.