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Old 29-08-2015, 09:18   #1
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SSB license in Bahamas

OK All I need for SSB marine use in the USA is my general ship station license, or maybe not even that, but I need a supplemental license from the Bahamian government to use a SSB in the Bahamas, and the application wants a copy of a ham license at level General or above. Could someone who has used SSB in the Bahamas clarify this? Thanks a bunch. --Tim.
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Old 29-08-2015, 10:05   #2
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

I wasn't asked for any radio license either time I checked in to the Bahamas.

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Old 29-08-2015, 11:34   #3
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

I had my suspicions.... if they really enforced that, the forums would have a lot more to say about it all. My guess is that they want it for ham operation, not marine use, but I'll wait for any other comments before ignoring the possibility. Thanks for your help, Ralph.
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Old 29-08-2015, 11:44   #4
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

I don't have a VHF license, so would have had a problem had they asked. On one of the forms, it asks if you have GPS on the vessel, and if so, the manufacturer. No idea why they ask that?

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Old 29-08-2015, 12:10   #5
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

Tim,
You are confusing two completely different radio services...
--- The Maritime Mobile Service (what we all seem to call Marine "SSB" radio)
--- The Amateur Radio Service (what we call "ham" radio)

For Marine SSB radio (and for a VHF-Marine radio used outside of the US)(for a US-flagged vessel), for use ANYWHERE in the world, in US waters, on the High Seas (int'l waters), or in territorial waters of another country (such as the Bahamas) all you need is:
-- your FCC issued Ships Station License, which has your vessel's callsign on it (such as WTX9955, etc.), this needs to be renewed every 10 years, and costs $210....
-- you also need at least a restricted radiotelephone license (good for life...and free...)



{understand this is the SAME license needed for VHF Marine as Marine SSB.....so, I assume you do already have these licenses??}

It is doubtful any Bahamian customs/immigration or BDF guard would ever ask for this....but it IS the law...
US Law, Intn'l Law, and Bahamian Law...



For Amateur Radio Service, you need a reciprocal license grant, from the Bahamian gov't (or other gov't for their territory / territorial waters)....
And, supplying them (the Bahamian gov't) with your FCC Amateur license (of General or Extra Class), will have them grant you a Bahamian reciprocal amateur radio license...(this is done by mail, before you enter the Bahamas....although, some cruisers have done this at the gov't house in Nassau, in person, I'd do it by mail a couple months before you head to the Bahamas...)

Using your ham radio in the Bahamas without this license, can get you in trouble....and the Bahamians are wonderful people, but when foreigners break their laws, they are NOT very lenient!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkeithlu View Post
OK All I need for SSB marine use in the USA is my general ship station license, or maybe not even that, but I need a supplemental license from the Bahamian government to use a SSB in the Bahamas, and the application wants a copy of a ham license at level General or above. Could someone who has used SSB in the Bahamas clarify this? Thanks a bunch. --Tim.


I hope this helps...but YOU need to figure out what radios you have, what licenses you have, and what licenses you need based on the answers to these questions and the info I provided here..

Fair winds..

John
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Old 30-08-2015, 05:56   #6
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

What a wonderfully clear and complete reply! Thank you so much! I have a station license and call sign, and have applied for a restricted radio telephone license, so I'm covered.
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Old 30-08-2015, 06:03   #7
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

By the way, the FCC wants $65 for a restricted radio telephone license.
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Old 30-08-2015, 06:13   #8
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

Yes. They are 65 now. I was able to print mine out the next day.


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Old 30-08-2015, 08:13   #9
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

Tim,
You're welcome!
Look's like you're good to go!

BTW, thanks for correcting me....I had not realized the FCC charges $65 now for the RR License...

Good luck and Fair winds...

John


P.S. If anyone has an interest in marine SSB, etc., you can have a look at some of these videos..

Maritime HF Communications ("HF-SSB")
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ZDo_Jk3NB_Bt1y

Offshore Weather
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...zdjTJjHlChruyY

HF-DSC Communications
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ga2zYuPozhUXZX

Icom M-802 Instruction Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...rC-8QKVyMb4tVr
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Old 30-08-2015, 08:49   #10
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

Very informative. Thanks for your effort. I've been going to the Bahamas for over 30 years and never had the radio issue brought up by authorities there. However, you never know when it might happen.

Hopefully the Bahamas will stay relaxed on rules as they have in the past and not be influenced by their nasty regulatory neighbor across the Gulf Stream. For this reason, I've given up the Keys in favor of the Bahamas.
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Old 30-08-2015, 09:09   #11
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

For my own clarity. Are we saying that a $65 US restricted radio operators licence, which can be obtained simply be applying for it, along with the fee, will allow you to use marine SSB anywhere in the world? No courses, no exams, just apply (assuming you're American and live in the US that is)?
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Old 30-08-2015, 09:40   #12
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

wie-
That may sound incredible, but Americans don't even pay a license fee per TV set either! We're allowed to have and use as many as we can get. Yes, the Colonies are still a wild and undisciplined place.(G)
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Old 30-08-2015, 09:45   #13
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

ka4wja is Correct. The SSB is good anywhere, the HAM needs a license in every country that decides to require one. Russ KA1 OUC
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Old 30-08-2015, 09:48   #14
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

Quote:
Originally Posted by wiekeith View Post
For my own clarity. Are we saying that a $65 US restricted radio operators licence, which can be obtained simply be applying for it, along with the fee, will allow you to use marine SSB anywhere in the world? No courses, no exams, just apply (assuming you're American and live in the US that is)?
It does not matter ir you are American or if you live in the US. What matters is the flag of the boat in which the SSB station is installed.

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Old 30-08-2015, 09:49   #15
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Re: SSB license in Bahamas

Wow! So you get your licence, buy a Icom M802, for example, and off you go? Apologies if I'm hijacking this post.
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