Ham Radio on a Cruise

[W7ZAA]

This has been pretty thoroughly researched by the ARRL legal staff and of course requires constantly renewed research, as regulations can change.

However as of "today," as per this:

http://www.arrl.org/maritime-mobile-...ational-waters

...we get this:

"Several things will come into play here.

First, in many cases, you will first need the permission of the cruise ship company itself to even have an Amateur Radio transmitter in your possession while on board (whether in use or not). So your first step is to make sure you have written authorization to have your radio with you.

Next, besides the company itself you will need to have permission of the ship's captain in order to use the radio. Do not assume you can simply throw up a vertical outside of your stateroom and operate!

Once you have authorization top operate ship board, you still have to worry about reciprocal operating privileges with the country where your ship is, including territorial waters.

When an FCC licensed amateur is operating an amateur rig aboard a US-registered vessel in international waters, he or she must follow Part 97 of the FCC rules, particularly Section 97.11. US and Canadian licensees need no special permit or authorization other than their own FCC or DOC license as long as Section 97.11 is followed and they stay within the US and International waters.

If the ship is of foreign registry, you must obtain a reciprocal operating authorization from the country of registry in addition to being in compliance with Section 97.11. When amateurs enter the territorial waters of a country, they fall under their communications jurisdiction. This means that they must obtain the required reciprocal operating authorization. There are three such authorizations: CEPT which applies to most European countries and certain overseas territories; IARP which applies to certain countries in the America's; Reciprocal Permit which is available from most countries, but application must be made to the country and a fee paid."

Great find! This is exactly what I was looking for, an official ruling on what the requirements are (hence my prior email to the FCC).

I'll get to contacting the cruise line. I do feel that that is more written to mobile/base radios (especially with the reference of adding an antenna).

I'll let you know what I hear.

[WB2WIK]

Great find! This is exactly what I was looking for, an official ruling on what the requirements are (hence my prior email to the FCC).

I'll get to contacting the cruise line. I do feel that that is more written to mobile/base radios (especially with the reference of adding an antenna).

I'll let you know what I hear.

BTW, I'm neither an expert nor a lawyer, but I've brought ham gear (and used it) on every cruise I've ever taken.

Carnival did not specifically grant permission, but we took the Elation from San Pedro down the Mexican coast (8 days/7 nights -- they still run this deal) and I brought a 2m hand held as well as a small HF rig with a gel-cell battery to run it, and a clamp-on multi-band HF portable antenna (and even a keyer and paddles, headphones, etc).

I did apply for a Mexican permit, via mail months in advance, and did receive it so I could operate while in ports there. It cost the equivalent of $90 USD and is valid for one year.

I "found" the ship's captain after several hours (these guys can hide well) and started to ask him about approval to operate on board. He spotted my 2m hand held and introduced himself with his Italian ham call (an I3 or I4, I forgot -- it's been about five years). He knew all about ham radio and said he's active about 6-8 weeks a year when he's home -- about 40 weeks a year he's at sea, and then they vacation in Switzerland during the winters. He readily granted me permission, warning me only to stay out of everybody's way and not let wires be on the floor where someone could trip over them.

Having the 2m hand held on every cruise as I have, I've met other hams a couple of times this way (who were on the same cruise and also had an HT).

If you have a Mexican permit, you can use XE repeaters while you're down there. Otherwise you can only use them in international waters or once you cross into U.S. territory off the coast of San Diego.

There's a lot more to this issue including the requirement to have a license or permit from the country of the ship's registry (since very few are actually American registry): Many are Panamanian, Bahamian or Liberian. Some are British or Norwegian. They can be anything, but it's easy to find out.

Good luck!

[KF5CGM]

They can be anything, but it's easy to find out.

Yeah the flag at the end of the ship will tell you.

[W7ZAA]

BTW, I'm neither an expert nor a lawyer, but I've brought ham gear (and used it) on every cruise I've ever taken.

Carnival did not specifically grant permission, but we took the Elation from San Pedro down the Mexican coast (8 days/7 nights -- they still run this deal) and I brought a 2m hand held as well as a small HF rig with a gel-cell battery to run it, and a clamp-on multi-band HF portable antenna (and even a keyer and paddles, headphones, etc).

I did apply for a Mexican permit, via mail months in advance, and did receive it so I could operate while in ports there. It cost the equivalent of $90 USD and is valid for one year.

I "found" the ship's captain after several hours (these guys can hide well) and started to ask him about approval to operate on board. He spotted my 2m hand held and introduced himself with his Italian ham call (an I3 or I4, I forgot -- it's been about five years). He knew all about ham radio and said he's active about 6-8 weeks a year when he's home -- about 40 weeks a year he's at sea, and then they vacation in Switzerland during the winters. He readily granted me permission, warning me only to stay out of everybody's way and not let wires be on the floor where someone could trip over them.

Having the 2m hand held on every cruise as I have, I've met other hams a couple of times this way (who were on the same cruise and also had an HT).

If you have a Mexican permit, you can use XE repeaters while you're down there. Otherwise you can only use them in international waters or once you cross into U.S. territory off the coast of San Diego.

There's a lot more to this issue including the requirement to have a license or permit from the country of the ship's registry (since very few are actually American registry): Many are Panamanian, Bahamian or Liberian. Some are British or Norwegian. They can be anything, but it's easy to find out.

Good luck!

I appreciate the answer, information, and personal experience.

Since we are only in Mexico for a day, I'm not going to go through the trouble of getting a ham radio license in Mexico.

Maybe its time to go out and buy some FRS radios...on second thought...maybe not!

[W7ZAA]

Yeah the flag at the end of the ship will tell you.

Apparently it flies the Panama flag. Yet another wrench thrown into this machine! lol

[W7ZAA]

I received a response back from Carnival. This is clearly something that they deal with a lot.

The email states:

"Ham radios like the picture below are not allowed. Handheld Motorola like radio's are allowed. Once you get on board the ship, you just need to check with guest services to see which frequency to use while you're on board."

The picture they have attached below is a screenshot of hamradio.com with a Kenwood TS-590 (base station) radio.

So, I guess I'm good bringing my FT-60s (as I thought I'd be). I'm interested to hear what guest services says about the frequencies I can use.

[WB2WIK]

I received a response back from Carnival. This is clearly something that they deal with a lot.

The email states:

"Ham radios like the picture below are not allowed. Handheld Motorola like radio's are allowed. Once you get on board the ship, you just need to check with guest services to see which frequency to use while you're on board."

The picture they have attached below is a screenshot of hamradio.com with a Kenwood TS-590 (base station) radio.

So, I guess I'm good bringing my FT-60s (as I thought I'd be). I'm interested to hear what guest services says about the frequencies I can use.

They might actually have a list. If you stick with a simplex frequency they recommend, you might find other hams aboard using the same frequency. If so, meet them for dinner and have a mini-hamfest.

[W7ZAA]

They might actually have a list. If you stick with a simplex frequency they recommend, you might find other hams aboard using the same frequency. If so, meet them for dinner and have a mini-hamfest.

That would be awesome! I'd be encouraged to hold nets as well. LOL

[WB2WIK]

That would be awesome! I'd be encouraged to hold nets as well. LOL

Net control gets to use the upper deck, to have full ship coverage.

Except those upper decks usually have a track and a volleyball court, so you have to be prepared to duck.

[WD9GYF]

Seems to me, that you are going to need 3 licenses, if I read this correctly.

If the ship is of Liberiean Registry, then you need a Liberian license, plus the Mexican one and your U.S. one.


Seems like a big hassle , just to use it for a week.


Just my opinion though.

73,
Enjoy the cruise
Jim WD9GYF/5