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Ham Radio License
Submitted by fyl on Wed, 2008/03/12 - 09:12.
First, let me say that ham radio operators exist in Nicaragua. I got my license in 2004. I was helped by the firemen. I had donated some electronic equipment to them and when their head of communications was in Estelí he asked me if I was a ham (Radioaficionado). I told him yes—I got my first license in California when I was in high school and also had a license in Costa Rica. He arranged for me to get a license in Nicragua.
About a month later I got a call from Telcor in Managua saying that I had been assigned a call, YN8PH, but they could not send me the license because then President Bolaños was having a fight with Telcor and told them they could not do things with the public. Whatever.
Well, a few months ago I got a bill in my PO box for my ham license. But, I still don't have the actual license. After a few calls to Managua, they finally believed I didn't have the physical license and said they would send the paperwork to get it. That arrived yesterday.
That paperwork consists of:
- The same form as I filled out in 2004
- A checklist marked with what I need to fill out/do
- A bill for 2005-2008 with fines for not paying 2005-2007 on time
- A letter that says I need to fill the stuff out and bring or mail it to Managua
The whole bill is no biggie—C$550—but it would have been nice if they had asked me for something in the past. More important, the form asks for who my Padrino (meaning my instructor) was. While I could put in the name of my high school electronics teacher, I am guessing they really want the guy I met in 2004 whose name I have long sense forgotten.
I will add this to my Managua trip list. As their office is diagonally across the street from the only government office I have been in where they have enough stapelers, pencils and generally helpful people—the Cancilleria—I would be able to find them and maybe they will be helpful.
Bottom line, if you want a ham license in Nicaragua, it seems the best approach is to just go directly to Telcor and talk to them. And make sure you have model and serial numbers on any equipment you want to register.
Si existen los RadioAficionados en Nicaragua.
I just spent La Semana Santa (Easter) I must admit that I didnt think I was going to manke any local contacts on the 2 meters even though I visited CREN's Website for frequesncies but was I wrong? YES.
I spoke to a few locals in Esteli. I could hit the repeater in Esteli from Managua which its located roughly about 120+ Kms from my location.
I was greeted by a few colleagues like YN1FF and YN1OCR cannot remember their names but they were cool people.
I was told that as a foreign Amateur radio Operation you can transmit with the license issued by your country of origin for 30 days and you dont have to register your equipment. I wanted to get an Amateur license while there but only stayed there for a short amount of time.
All in all it was a good experience and the only thing is that there is no IRLP nodes in the country to make contact with folks here in the W6 and XE2 regions but that is understandable due to the economical situation affecting the entire nation. God permitting I will see if I can donate an IRLP node to them folks down there on my next visit probably next year. I am even considering moving back to the homeland.
73's and have fun in the land of lakes and volcanoes. KI6LNX
Ham License
Can you use your US liscence while in Nicaragua? I understood that the reciperocol (spelling?) agreements would let you operate there. I wonder, because I am an Extra here in the US and am looking at retirement in Nicaragua in about 4-5 years.
Thanks, jim
Found the law
I was searching for something else and found the law. It is here.
1966
Hola Fyl,
The Nica's Amateur Radio "reciprocal law" if still valid, is only 42 years old.
Here's from the ARRL website on March, 2006. Thanks to Larry, N4FD for this information: "One should go to www.telcor.gob.ni/Formatos.asp?Accion=Requisitos then click on 'Requisitos para solicitud de Licencia de Servicio de radio Aficionado y Permiso Temporal para Radio Aficionados Extranjeros' and follow the directions that are in Spanish."
It is confusing,
Al
sounds good..
I just got my technician license, KE7TES,
is on the air
-Doug
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate
Which reminds me ...
I still don't have my license (as in the paper) for YN8PH. I wonder how long it takes to write it on a piece of paper and send it to Estelí?
CREN
Hola Sgt. Hulk
CREN= Club de Radio Experimentadores de Nicaragua.
About a year ago i asked CREN the same question, that is if i could operate in Nica with my US Ham license(extra) or without taking any exams, get an equivalent Nica Lic. and the answer/non-answer i got was, that i should become a member of CREN, then the Radio Club would vouch for me in getting a Nica Lic.
I'm not quite sure but i don't think that there's a reciprocal treaty to operate in Nica territory with a foreign Ham Lic. or to operate a Ham repeater in a foreign(non spanish) language.
Just came back from the Nica Consulate here in L.A. and in the Ham radio issue, i was told that i needed to list and itemized all of the equipment i have, and submit it to the Consulate before it could be imported as part of my household goods into Nica (Under Nica's inmigration incentives, law # 535)
Al
Yes, you can
It is close to the same drill but yes, you can. You go to Telcor and fill out the same form. But, you just need a copy of your passport and license.