[Elecraft] Cruise Lines

[Daniel Solano Gómez]

Hello, Joe,

Yeah, operating on a cruise line is tricky.  I talked to someone a couple of weeks ago that organises cruises with amateur operation, and he made it clear it is not straightforward.  I think the ARRL has a decent page on operting on international waters at <http://www.arrl.org/maritime-mobile-operation-in-international-waters>.

In particular, they talk about:

* You need to have permission from the cruise line to bring your radio on board, regardless of whether you operate on board

* Permission from the ship’s captain to operate on board

* Need to have reciprocal priveleges to operate in whatever territorial waters you happen to be in

* If the ship is in international waters, you are subject to the jurisdiction of the country to which the ship is registered.  So, if it is a U.S.-registered ship (not likely), you follow part 97 rules as usual.  Otherwise, you will need priveleges to operate in the country to which the ship is registered.


So, it’s not simple.  Say you had permission from the cruise line and captain to operate on a cruise ship registered in Panama.  While in U.S. territorial waters, U.S. rules apply.  When you enter international waters, Panama rules apply.  When you enter the territorial waters of a stop, e.g. Mexico, Jamaica, those rules apply.

Best wishes!

73,

Daniel, AG5UT

On mié oct 16 10:48 2019, Joseph Shuman via Elecraft wrote:
> Going on a cruise in a few months, so I emailed the cruise line about operating at sea with a KX2.  Here is the reply:  “Ham Radios, Shortwave Radios or Satellite Radios (portable or standalone) may not be brought on board as they pose a risk of interfering with onboard navigational equipment.”  OK!  The line has a right to say no. But...
> 
> I have operated my KX2 QRP 40m portable with a GPS and Laptop in the transmission RF envelope with no interference problems.  I know maritime uses mostly 156-162 MHz for ship to ship or ship to shore, some specific HF frequencies (outside of our bands) are allocated for emergency communications and satellite navigation is typically 1150-1610 MHz.  Most ships now have WiFi and rely on phone apps for on-board communication, so there are a few thousand phones on board operating in the GHz range that are no problem.  Also, as a USN Sub Service vet I learned a few things about at-sea comms 40-some years ago, and considering the improvements in our technology...
> 
> Sorry if I seem to be ranting, but opportunities to operate at sea (for a OM in Ohio) are rare and this cruise line’s position seems to me to be the easy answer: ban all Hams outright.
> 
> Keeping Watch-
> shu KE8KJZ
> 
> Joe Shuman
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