BajaNomad

Ham Radio license

BajaMama - 8-11-2020 at 09:45 AM

My husband is going to get his ham radio general license (USA). Question is, can he legally use it in Mexico? If a USA general license is not legal for Mexico, do people use their ham radios anyway?

K7BVT - 8-11-2020 at 12:20 PM

In the past Mexico required a permit for US amateurs to operate legally. It was about USD$60 good for couple of years. Apparently this has changed and the Mexican government is investigating increasing fees significantly. Operating without a legal license has risks. Modern amateur radio equipment can be operated via the Internet. One of my friends operates his station in Oregon while he is staying in Baja using an Internet connection which I believe is legal. The US has a reciprocal agreement with several counties such as Canada which allows US operators to operate there. Chuck, K7BVT

Hook - 8-11-2020 at 01:07 PM

With all the things that are illegal in Mexico and basically aren't being enforced, I think monitoring or arrests for operating a ham radio without a ham license is probably non-existent. That's just an opinion, not a recommendation.

From what I have read, there is no reciprocal agreement and no procedure for getting a MX license.

BajaMama - 8-11-2020 at 02:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by K7BVT  
In the past Mexico required a permit for US amateurs to operate legally. It was about USD$60 good for couple of years. Apparently this has changed and the Mexican government is investigating increasing fees significantly. Operating without a legal license has risks. Modern amateur radio equipment can be operated via the Internet. One of my friends operates his station in Oregon while he is staying in Baja using an Internet connection which I believe is legal. The US has a reciprocal agreement with several counties such as Canada which allows US operators to operate there. Chuck, K7BVT


For only $60, we certainly would feel better doing things legal. That is interesting being able to use via the internet, we will have to look into that.

Bob and Susan - 8-11-2020 at 05:14 PM

you do know...you can telephone anyone in the world

the internet is also available

no one uses radios anymore

JZ - 8-11-2020 at 05:58 PM

What Hook said, just do it.

We have a Yaesu 80 watt radio in the truck. And a couple BaoFeng 8 watt radios for the bikes.

Programmed them to use mostly VHF channels. So I take them out on boats as well.

del mar - 8-11-2020 at 07:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
you do know...you can telephone anyone in the world

the internet is also available

no one uses radios anymore


radio hobbyist do.:rolleyes:

Paulina - 8-11-2020 at 08:55 PM

I'm a Hamster too.

KK6-WMX
>*)))>{

Don Pisto - 8-11-2020 at 09:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Paulina  
I'm a Hamster too.

KK6-WMX
>*)))>{


--- .-.. .-

Paulina - 8-11-2020 at 09:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
Quote: Originally posted by Paulina  
I'm a Hamster too.

KK6-WMX
>*)))>{


--- .-.. .-


Hola back at you. When I was a kid I remember there being a Morse code alphabet chart on the front of my walkie talkie, drove my parents crazy with it. It wasn’t required when I tested for my license so I never got it down. I still need the cheat chart.

P >*)))>{

Jack Swords - 8-12-2020 at 05:55 AM

The cruising community uses ham radio on their boats. There are Sea of Cortez weather nets, sea (local) conditions, rescue situations, phone patches back home, etc. World-wide capability of HF ham radio means cruisers anywhere can have reliable communications that is not available with marine VHF. Cell phones are simply not reliable in many places. Ham radio is integrated with the internet with a PACTOR modem and the multitude of gateways to the internet throughout the world. With ham radio an important part of the cruising world community, hams provide volunteer ham exams to obtain the FCC license. That is true in La Paz. We used it when off roading in days-long trips in remote areas of Baja, and in the California deserts. Talking to our daughter via a phone patch to a fellow ham in CA while under full sail coming down the Sea was invaluable. Commercial communication sources can, and will, fail. But, ham radio is a proven back-up.

Jack N1IY

BajaMama - 8-12-2020 at 06:47 AM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
no one uses radios anymore

Not true, but certainly less than previously.

Radio is cheaper than a sat phone if you're out of cell tower reach. And if push comes to shove politically, it may be the only communications medium left functioning when them there evil furin hackers take out our national communications backbone. (That was one of the original purposes of the amateur radio service.)

That said, I finally let my 40-year license lapse after a number of years not using it.

BajaMama, why does your husband want a ham license?


He has some type of license now,, just not the general license. Our jeep club uses Ham Radios, as do many wheeling clubs in California. It is how we communicate while wheeling and rock crawling. Some rigs only have CB, which we also have. So I guess the reason he wants to keep it is to be able to communicate with the outside world should be be in the middle of nowhere. I would rather have a sat phone myself.

We do plan on wandering around Baja when the time comes, explore and so lots of off roading. Just got a Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison and getting it ready. Will be a few years to his retirement but in the meantime I'll do some exploring....

[Edited on 8-12-2020 by BajaMama]

[Edited on 8-12-2020 by BajaMama]

PaulW - 8-12-2020 at 08:16 AM

Recommend doing the mod to the radio so he can communicate with all the folks that use the commercial band. Yes I am KEOVZC and all my radios are modified to use the commercial band, family radio bands and the weather channels.
My use of the Ham freqs is very infrequent in Baja because I do not speak the language.
Baja repeaters are mostly near the big cities and out of reach where I live and drive.
In Baja power is important. Best is around 75 watts or more, tempered with the cost. Even then a temporary tall tower is recommended.
I do not have Mx permit.
I still have my CB in the Jeep the same as most off road people for use in the states where CB still popular.

JZ - 8-12-2020 at 08:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Recommend doing the mod to the radio so he can communicate with all the folks that use the commercial band. Yes I am KEOVZC and all my radios are modified to use the commercial band, family radio bands and the weather channels.
My use of the Ham freqs is very infrequent in Baja because I do not speak the language.
Baja repeaters are mostly near the big cities and out of reach where I live and drive.
In Baja power is important. Best is around 75 watts or more, tempered with the cost. Even then a temporary tall tower is recommended.
I do not have Mx permit.
I still have my CB in the Jeep the same as most off road people for use in the states where CB still popular.


I bought mine on Amazon 2 years ago. It came with the MARS/CAP mod.

dravnx - 8-12-2020 at 02:53 PM

I you want emergency communications, either a sat phone or one of the sat communicators like the Garmin InReach or a Spot.

mtgoat666 - 8-12-2020 at 04:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
What Hook said, just do it.

We have a Yaesu 80 watt radio in the truck. And a couple BaoFeng 8 watt radios for the bikes.

Programmed them to use mostly VHF channels. So I take them out on boats as well.



Jizz:
You got a license? I think both of those radios require ham lic.

Bajazly - 8-12-2020 at 06:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
What Hook said, just do it.

We have a Yaesu 80 watt radio in the truck. And a couple BaoFeng 8 watt radios for the bikes.

Programmed them to use mostly VHF channels. So I take them out on boats as well.



Jizz:
You got a license? I think both of those radios require ham lic.


If you're using the commercial frequencies you are supposed to buy the frequency and it's yours. Not sure how that works out of the area or the country.

Jack Swords - 8-13-2020 at 06:32 AM

The use of VHF frequencies (marine VHF, commercial freqs, etc.) are very limited and are essentially "line if sight". Additional power does not overcome that limitation. The use of repeaters, beam antennas, power, etc. helps, but that limitation still applies. Additional power on a mobile station (car, boat) has consequences on the battery and electrical system. The use of HF radio (3 - 30 MHz) allows consistent communication up to 2000 miles. That is not "line of sight". From my boat in La Paz, I connected with an Internet gateway in Oregon and did my e-mail daily, consistently.

In the US, the FCC requires a General class ham license or above to use the HF bands (due to potential interference issues). A Technician license authorizes mainly only the use of the VHF (UHF) bands.

You cannot beat having a ham license for enhanced communications and you can seek out volunteer examiners (VE's) in your area to assist you in getting your license. In the old days you had to travel to a large city and take an exam before men in suits with the FCC. Now it is simpler with friendly fellow hams.

PaulW - 8-13-2020 at 06:37 AM

Thanks Jack for details

Each region of the US has licensed commercial frequencies A Google search will identify the business and their approved frequencies (in the US). Yes, there is common usages of the same freqs in different distant regions.
Using the commercial freqs in the US without a license is not legal. In Mexico whatever laws they have are not enforced and the use of commercial freqs is common and we all use them. Examples are the race team and promoter freqs as well as local business places.
Just owning a radio that has the capability of transmitting on commercial or HAM freqs is not illegal. Transmitting on those freqs is illegal in the US. Listening is legal everywhere
There are other bands that are free to use that are perfectly legal that these radios can use once modified. Legal in the US and Mexico. These include Marine, Family, and MMARS, etc.

Jack Swords - 8-13-2020 at 07:14 AM

Thanks Paul...even though I have my amateur extra-class license, I still use Baofeng handhelds on the FRS when traveling with others and skiing with the family. Quick, fast, and simple to use. Baofengs were also programmed on the marine VHF freqs for use in the kayak in our local waters. We are certainly lucky to have so many alternatives available to us.

Larry, don't know about com'l freqs, but you are probably right about reusing freqs near borders. Com'l radio freqs are determined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the intention is to avoid interference between users. There is a plan.

David K - 8-13-2020 at 07:28 AM

Jack, check your u2u inbox.

BajaMama - 8-13-2020 at 07:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Jack Swords  
.


You cannot beat having a ham license for enhanced communications and you can seek out volunteer examiners (VE's) in your area to assist you in getting your license. In the old days you had to travel to a large city and take an exam before men in suits with the FCC. Now it is simpler with friendly fellow hams.


We have a friend who does education and licensing - camping with him next weekend now that I think of it - our main question was, do we need a Mexican license, and if yes, where/how do we obtain it? Thanks everyone for the info, I really appreciate it.

Jack Swords - 8-13-2020 at 12:01 PM

Here's a write up on the current situation. Used to be a trip to SCT with your license, pay $80 USD, you had your permit good for duration of your visa. My call N1IY became XE1N1IY. Apparently not so any more as the license is considered a "concession" and cannot be given to foreigners.

https://www.qsl.net/wd9ewk/xe-permit.html

K7BVT - 8-14-2020 at 12:03 PM

Back in 95 I did radio relay for SCORE at San Ignacio. They provided a fancy document signed by the governor of Baja Norte granting me ham radio privileges as XE2K7BVT. Operated HF & VHF, what a blast! Thought it was odd that a local government could issue radio privileges that are normally the domain of national governments which belong to organizations that provide regulations to minimize interference between radio users. Later I bought a Mexican amateur radio permit at the IFETEL(?) office in Ensenada, near the police offices. The gentleman there was not enthusiastic about selling me permit, kept saying "not necessary", in part probably due to dealing with a dumb gringo that can't speak Spanish. He finally relented and took my US$60 and issued permit. Using HF I was able to contact my late father in Seattle daily from spots like El Crucero and El Arco. Today there is cell coverage in much of Baja and Sat Phone can be used in places without it. If those systems ever crash there are still a few of us hams that can provide communications. I do wish Mexico would relent on ham radio license for foreigners. I think they would make more money and the exposure to this ancient technology my rub off on some of their youth and inspire them to study science. I realize Mexico has bigger problems. Baja! -73- Chuck K7BVT