ham / ssb licence requirements british flag vessels

[douglas family]

hi,
we are planning to purshcase a SSB radio transmitter for our newly purchased catamaran. we can't seem to find out where and how to apply for licences, and what kind of licence we will need.
any ideas??

thanks

Douglas family

[btrayfors]

Douglas family,

It would be helpful to know more about your location, nationality, cruising plans, etc.

In general, every country has it's own regulations and requirements for obtaining amateur and ship licenses. Ship licenses are generally good for operating in countries other than the one where it was issued. However, for ham radio operation you need to obtain a license from many countries before you can operate in their waters (e.g., Bahamas, BVI, and many, many others). Some countries have reciprocal agreements which will allow you to operate a ham station without need for additional permission. For example, U.S.-licensed hams can operate in Canada using their own callsigns plus a suffix indicating Canada. Ditto for Canadians in the U.S. Others will grant you a temporary license for operation in their waters based on your "home" license.

Lists of country requirements for ham licensing can be found on the ARRL website, ARRLWeb: ARRL Home Page

Since the overall picture is quite complex, it would be good to think about what you will need (marine or ham or both) and where you will need to operate (specific countries), THEN do the research to find out what you'll need to be legal.

Bill

[douglas family]

we are british citizens and have just bought a british registered kelsell cat currently in spain we intend to head to canaries possibly atlantic crossing or maybe returning to the med i'm thinking of purchasing an ICOM EC-M802 for communications which has both marine and ham bands and e-mail.

i'm unclear on licience requirements

how to get and where from?

it would be nice to be legal or at least to be able to claim ignorance at not being legal by having some form of licience!!

douglas family

[AnchorageGuy]

douglas family, First i would check with the communications ministry in the country of your flag which I assume is Britain. They can direct you to where if any license for the SSB is available. The ARRL site is a good starting place to find out where in the area you currently are in, that you can get your HAM license. In using the HAM bands there is no pleading ignorance. They will not communicate with you if you broadcast without a proper license. For email and many maritime nets you do not need a HAM license. But it is much easier to obtain now and will give you some additional communications options such as phone patches and additional nets when they are available as well as emergency communications. You might also try eHam.net Home - Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Community Site . Another good source is the SSCA board where you can communicate with current cruisers worldwide.

[hellosailor]

Douglass family-
Start here:
Ofcom Licensing Centre services | Ofcom

OFCOM are your regulators for radio licenses, both ham and ship. Beware that you may need to physically be in the UK to sit for the exams.

[Pblais]

it would be nice to be legal or at least to be able to claim ignorance at not being legal by having some form of license!!

Better to be legal. Ignorance gets you into trouble since you are also assumed to already know better. You'll need to get licensed from your home country. In the US for example, it would be illegal to give you a US FCC license except for a specific situation not applicable to you.

Most countries recognize other countries yet you still need to obey the local country regulations. I'm not aware of any country that won't let you use your local license if you obey their rules. That would be the sticky part. You need to know their rules. They presume if you have a radio you know what you are not allowed to do. If they catch you doing something unapproved they can still be upset over that part of the violation doing who knows what to you.

[swagman]

Hi Douglas peeps,
If you are still in the UK you can do a three day course for your marine license and on day four complete the exam.
No commercial attachment other than did the course myself and found them good - you could try YachtCom 01489 565100 - GMDSS training centre - Training for yachtsmen based near Hamble.
Cheers
JOHN

[douglas family]

Thanks thats great help!

[Brent Swain]

Industry Canada has the tests on the internet. You can try them , go home and highlight your weak points in your reading material, go back to a computer and try again until you are consistenly getting well over 80%, then do the tests.
Ham licenses are a childish hazing ritual , like a bunch of six year olds playing "Guess the password or we won't let you in our tree house", but once you've got it you are done for life.
Brent

[Rangiroo]

Originally Posted by Pblais

In the US for example, it would be illegal to give you a US FCC license except for a specific situation not applicable to you.

This is not true....ANYONE except a representative of a foreign government can get a US Licence....

FroM the ARRL website under the heading

Operation in the US by Foreign Amateurs

"Operation in the US by any person is possible if you seek a US amateur license. Any person, other than a representative of a foreign government, can do so. Once a person is prepared to take the US license examinations, licensing is possible in as little as a few days to a week. A US mailing address is required for application purposes. Information about US licensing is available elswhere on the Web site. If a US license is held, no other reciprocal operating authority may be used. "

ARRLWeb: International Operating

[Pblais]

it would be illegal to give you a US FCC license except for a specific situation not applicable to you.

Note what I said. This would be a restricted license and would only be good in the US and not any place else. So it's not a common situation that applies to a Crusier. It is common for employees in a commercial situation.

[GordMay]

QRZ's Practice Amateur Radio Exams
QRZ Ham Radio Practice Tests

AA9PW FCC Amateur Radio Practice Pages
AA9PW FCC Amateur Radio Practice Pages

Industry Canada ~ Amateur Radio Exam Generator:
http://www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/s..._sf05378e.html