Amateur radio license recognition outside home country

[Jammer]

I note that amateur radio licenses are generally only valid in the country where they are issued, with automatic reciprocal recognition among a few groups of countries provided certain requirements are met.


Most countries in the Caribbean cruising area do not recognize amateur radio licenses without prior approval. Forms must be filled out, fees must be paid, bureaucrats must be given weeks or months to act. Mexico, notably, hasn't been processing such applications at all for quite some time due to some sort of reorganization of the department that used to do it.


So, what's the strategy most cruisers take towards this? Three come to mind:

1. Don't use the amateur frequencies except on the high seas
2. Play along and fill out the forms and send in your money
3. Ignore the problem and hope you don't get caught

Or I guess this can be treated as one more reason to ditch the HF and stick to sim cards and Iridium.

[newhaul]

Jammer I suggest digging a bit through the arrl.

Reciprocal Permit

[Paul L]

3...........

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Jammer I suggest digging a bit through the arrl.

Reciprocal Permit

I did.


It's a bureaucratic mess, at least for the Caribbean. For Europe, you just have to pass the Extra exam, which is trivial by comparison, and certainly less expensive.

[Dougtiff]

For the 20 year's i had my license, i would give my location as under way, while anchored, never had an issue, i always used good protocol.

[waterman46]

In Mexico the authorities have not got their issues together to even provide a way to get a reciprocal license. Been that way several years after one of their re-organizations. I notice that on the Ham nets for Mexico, US hams just use their regular call signs and actual locations. Since Caribbean nations seem to have a valid way to get a reciprocal license, at the minimum you might want to put "MM2" after your call and if necessary give your location as "outside of" (wherever).

[Parrothedd]

It's legal to use your type excepted marine HF radio (ie:ICOM IC M-802) on the marine frequencies in foreign countries. Just a reminder, the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) operates a HF Net 7 days a week at 1215 hrs UTC or 0715 hrs Eastern Time on SSB frequency 8.104. All vessels are welcome, and you don't need to be an SSCA member to utilize our services.

Glenn Tuttle - Net Manager
SSCA HF Radio Service KPK
KPK@ssca.org

[longjonsilver]

i got a VE0 call here in Canada which means i can only use it on the high seas. If i wanna use the ham bands inside of 12miles i have to get another call.
jon
VE0XYZ

[jewt]

Why would anyone wish to go to Mexico???

jewt
S/V Bifrost

[leftbrainstuff]

Here is the latest Australian guidance on amateur licences and reciprocal rights https://www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/TV-R...teur-licensing.

Firstly changes are due, secondly the reciprocal arrangements only cover a few countries.

Obviously the beuracrats have no idea of what is practical for cruising sailors.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by jewt

Why would anyone wish to go to Mexico???

jewt
S/V Bifrost

Cozumel is rather nice. I hear good things about the Sea of Cortez.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by jewt

Why would anyone wish to go to Mexico???

jewt
S/V Bifrost

beautiful cruising grounds, great people, great food .

Need I go on

Take a trip to cruise for a week I guarantee you will return .

[pdxsailordiver]

Originally Posted by jewt

Why would anyone wish to go to Mexico???

jewt
S/V Bifrost

Yes it’s a horrible place, stay away!
Every trip we have done has been awesome.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by jewt

Why would anyone wish to go to Mexico???

jewt
S/V Bifrost

Best to stay away. Pacific Mexico is too crowded with US cruisers.

[senormechanico]

It's really crowded. In fact, it's so crowded that nobody goes there any more.