New License Procedure for the Bahamas C6

I just came back from Nassau and the URCA. I am attaching a description of the licensing procedure now in place for those who want to operate in the Bahamas or renew their C6 licenses. I hope the information helps fellow hams. Here is the information:

New Licensing Procedure for the Bahamas (C6)

The old PUC procedure and licensing on an annual renewal basis is gone. As of August 9, 2009, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has taken over all telecommunications licensing. The following is the new procedure per URCA:

Go to the URCA web site, www.urcabahamas.bs download the application and complete parts A and B only. Send to URCA, P.O. Box N-4860, Fourth Terrace East, Collins Avenue, Nassau, Bahamas (same address as PUC) with a $10.00 application fee and a $25.00 license fee; total $35.00 and specify the dates you will be operating from the Bahamas (a money order is quicker than a check). Include a copy of your US license. In turn, URCA will send you a license to operate for that period. You may specify the call sign you wish, but they have been issuing call signs similar to your US call sign. These are reciprocal licenses, not permanent annual licenses. Leave a lot of leeway time for the URCA to respond prior to your trip.

If you are renewing a previous C6 license, specify the call sign issued and they will give you permission to use that call sign (normally) during your operating period. The rest of the above is the same.

From very recent experience, do not add any unnecessary information or requests which will confuse the people who handle the licenses. KISS is the rule. A necessary trip to Nassau can be the result of violating that rule!

Main URCA contact for amateur radio licenses: Ms. Chizelle Whyms - CHWhyms@urcabahamas.bs
URCA telephone numbers:
242-322-4437 Main
242-323-7288 FAX

73 de Kevin K4PG C6APG

 

I've got everything but a copy of my drivers license in an envelope ready to go - should be sending it out tomorrow! Hope to operate from GTC, around April 1-11th!

KJ4JFT

 

Good Luck!

I will look for you on the air.
73 de Kevin K4PG C6APG

 

Re: New license procedure for the Bahamas

Sounds great. I got a license several years ago when I went on a Disney cruise, and we may be taking another one next year. in which case my son and I will apply for a license. (He just got his license last week, yaay!)

Ray, KB0STN

 

I had some correspondence with MS Whyms today regarding the changes. I have C6AVE that was issued in 2008 and renewed in 2009. The license is still valid until June 2010. They are allowing "grandfathering" of license that have not expired. After expiration then current procedures must be followed.

Several of us will be departing on Hamradio Cruise 2010 on 27 February for 8 days. We will be operating onboard the Carnival Freedom from two fixed stations located at the aft portion of the Lido deck. Our two Tarheel antennas will be mounted in the clear on deck 11. We also have permission to operate individual station from our balcony cabins. Nassau is one of our stops as well as San Juan, St Thomas, Antiqua, Tortola BVI and then Nassau.

We depart Ft Lauderdale Saturday afternoon and have two days at sea before arrival in San Juan on Monday afternoon.

Hope to work you during the cruise.

Rich, K8VE, K8VE/HP0 and C6AVE for the cruise.