Is it legal to operate from the Galapagos Islands?

[KD6WAG]

I know the Galapagos is basically just a reef with no inhabitants etc... But, I know people have operated from reefs before on wooden type platforms just feet above the water line during DXpeditions. I'm not sure but I think the Galapagos does have a very small beech about the size of a postage stamp.

That being said, has it ever been done before? Does anyone know if it would be legal to set up a temporary station today?

Thank you.

[N2RJ]

Yes, and I've worked HC8N from there already.

Definitely legal, and definitely blessed by DXCC.

[dj1yfk]

I know the Galapagos is basically just a reef with no inhabitants etc...
No.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gal%C3%A1pagos_Islands#Demographics

HC8N on Galapgos is one of the World's leading Contest M/M stations and most every active contester has worked them. See: http://www.hc8n.info/

[KB3LIX]

HC8N is a very active station, look for them this weekend in the ARRL Intl. DX contest.

They send a nice card too.

[w3wn]

I know the Galapagos is basically just a reef with no inhabitants etc... But, I know people have operated from reefs before on wooden type platforms just feet above the water line during DXpeditions. I'm not sure but I think the Galapagos does have a very small beech about the size of a postage stamp.

That being said, has it ever been done before? Does anyone know if it would be legal to set up a temporary station today?

Thank you.I think you're thinking of the wrong QTH.

[wg7x]

KD6WAG...

We can tell that geography is not/was not your best subject...

One of the really neat things about Amateur radio is that we get to learn about such things as world geography and where people live.

Enjoy it!
:)
73 Gary

[WA6MHZ]

To learn about and see Galapagos Is, see the movie MASTER AND COMMANDER with Russell Crowe. That has alot of great shots of the island and its terrain. You'd probably have to get permission from the Ecuadorian Govt to land there. Not too rare, so don't expect a massive pileup, but alot will still work U. Now, if you want a PILEUP, head on over to Scarborough Reef. Millions still need that for a new country (including me!!!) Only the Big guns got through on the last escapade there.

[G0GQK]

The Galapagos Islands are not just a reef, they are proper islands, and quite a number of them, and if I remember corectly there is a naval base on the largest of the islands. I believe that visits by private vessels has been stopped because of the thousands who were visiting every year. When you're filthy rich you can afford to visit lonely islands !

G0GQK

[K8MHZ]

There are 30,000 people on the islands. I would hardly call that 'unpopulated'.

I worked HC8N almost 2 years ago and have a card from there to prove it.

I hope to catch them again soon!

[VE3LXL]

The Galapagos Islands can't be too rare - even I've worked and verified HC8N on two or three bands, and if I can do it with my 100 watts and horribly inefficient apartment balcony antenna system, then anyone can.

[KC7UP]

I work HC8N almost every major contest.
Curt

[n2jso]

I've got HC8N in the log a bunch of times. Worked during various CW contests, all confirmed on LoTW. 100 watts and a wire up 30 feet, so he's not hard to get.

[WA9SVD]

Aside from getting permission to land on the islands (if that is truly necessary) you would also have to get permission to operate there, and use the proper callsign/combination. You can't just putt-putt up there, drop anchor, and start operating. But it's not a particularly rare DX entity. Think a better, rarer location.

[k8jd]

If you check Google Earth you will see this is a group of several volcanic islands, some of wich are fairly good sized.

[k7mh]

I've got HC8N in the log a bunch of times. Worked during various CW contests, all confirmed on LoTW.

It is nice that HC8N is very good about using LOTW very regularly! :)

[KD6WAG]

Oops. I never said I was a geography major......Thanks guys.:):):)

[KB5FSV]

The QSL Manager for HC8N is a friend of mine, and a member of my club. In fact I'm using his Mosley TA-33 at my house right now. W5UE, Randy is his manager.

That's the nice thing about some of these DX stations, them having USA QSL Managers so no IRC/GREENSTAMP issues with postage. All you gotta do is send Randy an SASE with your card and get one back. In my case all I gotta do is just drive over to his house LOL.

[N8CPA]

Visits have not been stopped. My sister is taking a cruise there in May, with stops on several of the islands. They do have some stringent environmental regs, though--particularly in regard to fuel and waste management for visiting ships.

It is certainly not rarely heard during contests--HC8N booms in here on CW. I think you'd have to apply to Ecuador for Amateur licensing. Maybe you could apply to work at HC8N. Here's what Google returns:

http://www.hc8n.info/

[VE2ITZ]

Here is some WIKI info on Galapagos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gal%C3%A1pagos_Islands#References

I was born in El Salvador which is a little country in Central America. People still think I come from somewhere in Brazil or in the Caribbean!

Did you guys know that Mexico is Actually part of North America?? and that Central America is not part of South America?

And that here in Canada People actually live in houses and not igloos?


LOL!

[ab1ga]

(Quote edited for length)


And that here in Canada People actually live in houses and not igloos?
LOL!

That's because they're covered with snow ten months out of the year and you can't be sure if they're made of ice or sod!

:D

[n3mqm]

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, HC8. Rich, N6KT will be QRV as HC8A in the ARRL
SSB DX contest as a Single Op/All Band entry. QSL via KU9C.

From the ARRL

[NC5P]

I believe the OP was thinking of Kingman Reef.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingman_Reef

[n1ese]

Did you guys know that Mexico is Actually part of North America?? and that Central America is not part of South America?

And Greenland is actually part of North America. It's a pity that Geography isn't taught in schools like it used to be. The high school I went to now has geography as an elective and self-esteem as a requirement. What the hell?

[VE2ITZ]

(Quote edited for length)



That's because they're covered with snow ten months out of the year and you can't be sure if they're made of ice or sod!

:D

SOD?

LOL

:)

[VE2ITZ]

And Greenland is actually part of North America. It's a pity that Geography isn't taught in schools like it used to be. The high school I went to now has geography as an elective and self-esteem as a requirement. What the hell?

Indeed.

I do agree 100%

[KB3LIX]

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, HC8. Rich, N6KT will be QRV as HC8A in the ARRL
SSB DX contest as a Single Op/All Band entry. QSL via KU9C.

From the ARRL

HC8A was warming up for the contest on 15 meters about an hour ago.

S-9 +++ here in Pennsylvania.

[N8MME]

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, HC8. Rich, N6KT will be QRV as HC8A in the ARRL
SSB DX contest as a Single Op/All Band entry. QSL via KU9C.

From the ARRL

I worked him today in the contest. :D

[n4bfd]

I got him on every band but 10 so far.

[k2gsp]

Yup I just got him in the log book as well.