[Elecraft] KX1 strikes again - Cruise Ship Bootleg Operations (OT)

[Mike Morrow]

Chip wrote:

> While a ship's master may choose to prohibit your use of a QRP rig
> on board,

He *definitely* has that authority.  In fact, what is very questionable
is his authority to *allow* ham operation.  It doesn't matter that QRP
is to be used.

> the likelihood of it actually interfering with any ongoing communication
> at any given moment is exceedingly low to nonexistent, IMHO.

And you have the engineering studies to substantiate that in court?
The same argument can be applied to in-flight cell phone use.

> If you are operating amateur maritime mobile (i.e. in international waters)
> I don't think there is a requirement to identify yourself with anything
> other than your amateur call sign.

That is incorrect, as nice as it seems it would be were it true.  The FCC has
absolutely NO authority or influence on a foreign flag vessel at sea.  Your
US call has no standing.

The country of ship's registry has jurisdiction on the high seas.  If you
are operating on a foreign flag vessel with a US call, you quite simply are
bootlegging, even if you have the master's permission, unless you can take
advantage of some of the relaxed CEPT reciprocal licensing requirements,
and identify if you were in the country of ship's registry as required
under CEPT.

Even those QCWA cruises should (but I guessing do not) follow this.  The
ship's master has no *authority* to allow any deviation in this area.  And,
as I mentioned above, should any adverse consequence result from the ham
station operation, a master would have no defense for allowing an activity
for which he really has no authority to permit, but all authority and
responsibility to prohibit.

It is also not legal to operate as maritime mobile while *in* a foreign
port.  In port, the host country's rules for radio operation apply
even while on board a ship of another country's registry.

In any event, this is taking the list off topic.  However, it appears
that there is some interest in using Elecraft rigs in operations that
are technically bootleg, and worst case harmful to SOLAS considerations.
I only suggest that those considering use of their Elecraft rigs at sea
investigate how to do that legally.  It is, after all, only a hobby
and there's nothing *bad* about not being able to ham during a cruise.
Were it me, I'd forget at-sea operation, but arrange for bona fide
operating authority in the ports of call for the cruise and have some
sort of portable kit like a K1 or KX1 to exploit that authority.

73,
Mike / KK5F