Exactly Gerald. Same story here; no batteries in checked luggage, carry any and all regulations regarding batteries in hold luggage, especially those of the airline you’re using. And hope that whoever’s working in security control that day has a clue.
2 Likes
One remarkable rule for the USA: According to the information on the ARRL website, the country of your amateur radio license must match your nationality. This was one of the rare occasions when I was extremely glad having kept my DL call sign after moving to HB9. So unless you have dual citizenship, chose your license wisely.
73 Jens HB9EKO
3 Likes
Whether this is old or inaccurate information on the ARRL website - here is what the regulator - the FCC says:
Citizens of Canada holding an amateur service license granted by the Government of Canada and citizens of countries holding an amateur service license granted by a country with which the United States has made reciprocal operating arrangements are authorized by 47 C.F.R. § 97.107 to be the control operator of an amateur station transmitting from a place where the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“… holding an amateur service license granted by a country with which the United States has made reciprocal operating arrangements …”
The full article is here:
So if you hold a licence from a country in the list - whether you are a citizen or just permanent (or temporary) resident there - that’s fine with the FCC.
73 Ed.
1 Like
Is that just for USA visitors to Canada?
I’ll be travelling on NZ passport so will probably use my ZL callsign… I’ve got both UK and NZ licence certificates printed out, so will see what mood i’m in 
1 Like
This is the ARRL webpage I refer to: Foreign Licenses Operating in U.S.
It says:If the country of which you are a citizen and an amateur licensee has entered into a multilateral operating agreement with the US, CEPT or IARP**, no additional permit is required – simply bring your CEPT or IARP documentation when you visit the US.
ARRL and FCC don’t contradict each other, there are just different wordings. As a non native English speaker, I find the text on the ARRL website more comprehensive. Government publications have a tendency to use “lawyer speak”, which is probably less easy to understand in any language.
What I understand from both publications is that citizenship definitely plays a role for foreigners operating in the US. Neither at ARRL nor at FCC, I can find the term “resident” or “residency”. So from my understanding, unless “resident” is a synonym for “citizen”, the safe option is a license that matches the passport.
Please correct me if my understanding as a non native speaker is wrong. It would be interesting to get the opinion of a person who is a English native speaker with a law degree (preferrably in US law). Anyone here who meets this criteria?
1 Like
I’d say the FCC wording was not written by a lawyer, as there is ambiguity in it.
ARRL have read “citizens of countries holding an amateur service license granted by a country with which the United States has made reciprocal operating arrangements” as if the country granting the citizenship and the country granting the license must be the same country, presumably because that is the most restrictive (and therefore legally safest) interpretation.
An alternative interpretation might assume just that both the country granting citizenship and the country granting the license must be on the list.
It is also possible to interpret the FCC wording as requiring only the country granting the license to be on the list. This is the way I’d expect a lawyer challenging the FCC page’s wording to argue…
However, who wants to be first to have to engage a lawyer? (It’s possible the ARRL’s interpretation is as it is because they have involved a lawyer or three at some point…)
That’s the way I interpret the FCC definition (I’m not a lawyer but am a native speaker).
Either way, as always - best to check in detail what the rules are before you go. Rules can change without notice.
Indeed Ofcom have announced today that they are now proposing changes to licensing for visiting hams to the UK - don’t worry - it’s for the better. Those holding a full licence from any country having reciprocal licencing with the UK will be able to operate for up to 3 months without needing to apply for a reciprocal visitor’s license. This is for hams from non-CEPT-signatory countries. After 3 months, the existing 6-month renewable visitors licence is still available at UKL20. Currently those not coming from CEPT Signatory countries need to apply for the 6-month visitors licence ahead of their arrival.
73 Ed.
2 Likes
There are lots of lawyers in SOTA, plus a judge. The most qualified on this subject is Paula, K9IR. She might chime in. In the US, rules change only with notice and many public hearings. I keep my license copy in the backpack. If challenged, I explain that it is a federal matter and my license is a federal one.
Elliott, K6EL
2 Likes
I suspect the actual FCC documentation is written in proper legalese, and that web page on the FCC site is a (poorly) translated version some website writer was tasked with producing. Personally, were I to visit the US, I’d go by the ARRL’s translation, as it is at least unambiguous, even if it is more restrictive.
2 Likes