1. Hams Without Borders
International Operating and Third Party Communications with Other Countries

2. With which countries are FCC-licensed amateur stations prohibited from exchanging communications? (T1D01)
A. Any country whose administration has notified the ITU that it objects to such communications
B. Any country whose administration has notified the United Nations that it objects to such communications
C. Any country engaged in hostilities with another country
D. Any country in violation of the War Powers Act of 1934

3. International Messages Between Hams2
Ham-to-Ham contact is generally OK
Countries that do not license their citizens:
Yemen (they do allow DX Expeditions to operate in-country with the required permits)
North Korea (no activity permitted at all)
Briefly discuss the purpose of the ITU and how the FCC fits into the big picture. There are some differences in frequency authorizations and permitted modes based on ITU rules and regions. If the students are going to operate in a different region, it is important that they review the rules for that region. Also discuss with the students that this is why they may hear voice operations where the US is only authorized CW or data operations. Watch the dial! Especially when attempting to contact an English speaking ham, they may be from country that is authorized voice privileges where the US ham is restricted to code or data.
Additional info here:
No ham radio license for YT1AD in Yemen
Hrane,YT1AD, was in Yemen recently and visited the Ministry for telecommunication.
While speaking to the director of frequency and regulations Hrane learned that no valid license has been issued by the Yemen Government and Ministry for telecommunication during the last 20 years.
Even King Hussein of Jordan visited Yemen but was denied a license for security reasons!
However following DXpeditions were approved for DXCC credit: 7O1AA by 9K2DR and 9K2EC May/June 1990, 7O8AA by F2VX and F6EXV July/August 1990, 7O1YGF by DLs in April 2000 and 7O/OH2YY in May 2002.

4. Third-Party Communications?
Third-party means that a non-ham is involved in communication via ham radio
Could be actually speaking on the air, or
Could be passing a message to or from the non-ham
Remember that when operating in a foreign country or even here in the U.S., communications “incidental to the purpose of the amateur service and remarks of a personal nature” are the only types of communications that may be transmitted to amateur stations in foreign countries.
Let’s look at two situations – different rules
Within the US
Communication that crosses international borders
Define third-party communications and give some examples.
Section of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. §97.115 Opens a New Window., authorizes an amateur station regulated by the FCC to transmit a message from its control operator (first party) to another amateur station control operator (second party) on behalf of another person (third party). No amateur station, however, shall transmit messages for a third party to any station within the jurisdiction of any foreign government whose administration has not made arrangements with the United States to allow amateur stations to be used for transmitting international communications on behalf of third parties.
The following countries have made the necessary arrangements with the United States to permit an amateur station regulated by the FCC to exchange messages for a third party with amateur stations in: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom (special event stations with call sign prefix GB followed by a number other than 3), Uruguay, and Venezuela. The United Nations also has arrangements with the United States to permit an amateur station regulated by the FCC to exchange messages for a third party with amateur stations 4U1ITU in Geneva, Switzerland, and 4U1VIC in Vienna, Austria.
No amateur station regulated by the FCC shall transmit messages for a third party to any amateur station located within the jurisdiction of any foreign government not listed above. This prohibition does not apply to a message for any third party who is eligible to be the control operator of the station.

5. Third-Party Communications within US
No special rules
Just make sure:
Control Operator is present
The message is non-commercial in nature
Station ID rules are followed

6. Third-Party Communications Across Borders
Make sure that a 3rd-party agreement exists
Check for current third-party agreements from ARRL Web site or FCC sources if in doubt
You might be surprised at the countries that we do not have third-party agreements with
During station identification you must say both stations’ call signs
Point out the table in the text that lists the countries we have third-party agreements with.

7. Are there Third Party Agreements with these countries?
Third-Party Agreements Quiz
Are there Third Party Agreements with these countries?
Canada
Mexico
Cuba
Russia
France
United Kingdom
Japan
Australia
New Zealand
Israel
Saudi Arabia
Egypt

8. Russia, France, Japan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, EgyptV2
Antigua/Barbuda
LO-LW
Argentina VK
Australia V3
Belize CP
Bolivia E7
Bosnia-Herzegovina
PP-PY
Brazil
VE, VO, VY
Canada
CA-CE
Chile
HJ-HK
Colombia D6
Comoros (Federal Islamic Republic of)
TI, TE
Costa Rica
CM, CO
Cuba HI
Dominican Republic J7
Dominica
HC-HD
Ecuador YS
El Salvador C5
Gambia, The 9G
Ghana J3
Grenada TG
Guatemala 8R
Guyana HH
Haiti
HQ-HR
Honduras
4X, 4Z
Israel 6Y
Jamaica JY
Jordan EL
Liberia V7
Marshall Islands
XA-XI
Mexico V6
Micronesia, Federated States of YN
Nicaragua
HO-HP
Panama ZP
Paraguay
OA-OC
Peru
DU-DZ
Philippines
VR6
Pitcairn Island* V4
St. Kitts/Nevis J6
St. Lucia J8
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 9L
Sierra Leone
ZR-ZU
South Africa
3DA
Swaziland
9Y-9Z
Trinidad/Tobago
TA-TC
Turkey GB
United Kingdom
CV-CX
Uruguay
YV-YY
Venezuela
4U1ITU
ITU - Geneva
4U1VIC
VIC - Vienna
Why do some countries not have 3rd party agreements?
Some countries have telecommunications monopolies that 3rd party communication would compete with
Political implications
Russia, France, Japan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Egypt
* as-of 11-Oct-2017

9. A difference that makes a difference . . . (the FCC is very restrictive)
“No amateur station, however, shall transmit messages for a third party whose administration has not made arrangements with the United States to allow amateur stations to be used for transmitting international communications on behalf of third parties.”
Industry Canada:
“In cases of emergencies or disaster relief, international third party communications are expressly permitted unless specifically prohibited by a foreign administration. Any foreign administration may permit its amateur stations to communicate on behalf of third parties without having to enter into any special arrangements with Canada. Canada does not prohibit international communications on behalf of third parties.“
Australian Communications and Media Authority:
“ a licensee may transmit messages on behalf of a third party to an amateur station, including an amateur station in a foreign country. Other countries may permit the transmission or reception of messages on behalf of third parties only in the case of emergencies or disaster relief. The ACMA recommends that licensees respect any restrictions applied to amateur stations in foreign countries in relation to the transmission or reception of messages on behalf of a third party.”
USA:
Section of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. §97.115 Opens a New Window., authorizes an amateur station regulated by the FCC to transmit a message from its control operator (first party) to another amateur station control operator (second party) on behalf of another person (third party). No amateur station, however, shall transmit messages for a third party to any station within the jurisdiction of any foreign government whose administration has not made arrangements with the United States to allow amateur stations to be used for transmitting international communications on behalf of third parties.
The following countries have made the necessary arrangements with the United States to permit an amateur station regulated by the FCC to exchange messages for a third party with amateur stations in: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom (special event stations with call sign prefix GB followed by a number other than 3), Uruguay, and Venezuela. The United Nations also has arrangements with the United States to permit an amateur station regulated by the FCC to exchange messages for a third party with amateur stations 4U1ITU in Geneva, Switzerland, and 4U1VIC in Vienna, Austria.
No amateur station regulated by the FCC shall transmit messages for a third party to any amateur station located within the jurisdiction of any foreign government not listed above. This prohibition does not apply to a message for any third party who is eligible to be the control operator of the station.
Some countries do not limit 3rd party-traffic during emergencies: e.g. Canada (Australia is similar), from:
6. Communications on Behalf of Third Parties
In cases of emergencies or disaster relief, international third party communications are expressly permitted unless specifically prohibited by a foreign administration.
Any foreign administration may permit its amateur stations to communicate on behalf of third parties without having to enter into any special arrangements with Canada.
Canada does not prohibit international communications on behalf of third parties.

10. International Operating
Foreign operation is dictated by that country’s rules and regulations, such as band plans, power limits, etc.
Reciprocal operating authorizations allow you to operate in foreign countries
Is your license good enough? What class?
Do you need a permit?
Use your ARRL benefits – they offer a no-cost licensing service
Some countries restrict ham radio contacts entirely, e.g. North Korea

11. Basic Types of Authorization
Canada A very special neighbor . . .
Multilateral Agreement
All European Countries accept CEPT (no permit required; but there are documentation requirements)
North, South, and Central American countries, through the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), an entity of the Organization of American States, uses IARP
Some non-European countries that have “implemented” CEPT
Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Netherlands Antilles, Peru,  South Africa, and USA
Bilateral Agreements – Check country requirements
More info:
CEPT stands for the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations, which provides radio-amateur licenses that allow amateurs to travel to and operate from most European countries without obtaining an additional license or permit.
NON-EUROPEAN countries that have CEPT implemented the CEPT T/R agreement, do not have to apply for any reciprocal license. Participating countries are: Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Netherlands Antilles,  Peru, South Africa, and USA. Amateurs coming from countries that have CEPT implemented the CEPT T/R agreement, have to apply for a reciprocal license if staying for a period of more than 3 months. (from
International Amateur Radio Permit --- For operation in certain countries of the Americas -- allows US amateurs to operate without seeking a special license or permit to enter and operate from that country other than the IARP. For a US citizen to operate an amateur station in a CITEL country, an IARP is necessary. According to the CITEL agreement, the IARP may be issued by a member-society of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)--for the US, the IARU member society is the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). The permit describes its authority in four different languages. The ARRL offers this service to US citizens for their use when they travel to CITEL countries. The ARRL provides this service on a non-discriminatory basis, at no expense to the United States Government. The permit is valid for 365 days or the date your license expires if the license expiration date will occur in less than 365 days.

12. Reciprocal Agreements by Country

13. Operating in Canada
In 1952, Canada and the United States signed a Reciprocal Operating Agreement treaty.
No permits are required when exchanging visits between Canada and the US.
Visiting Canadian amateurs operate under the FCC; and US amateurs operate under the Industry Canada rules and regulations.
Morse code capabilities determine the class of license:
If qualified to send and receive at least 5 wpm  Amateur Operator's Certificate with Basic, Morse Code (5 wpm) and Advanced Qualifications (2250W PEP SSB, or 750W otherwise)
No Morse code competency  Amateur Operator's Certificate with Basic Qualifications (560W PEP SSB, or 190W otherwise)
Pay careful note to Canadian rules and regulations:
Band plan is slightly different, i.e. bands, band edges, license restrictions within the band, power levels, etc.
Station identification can be in English or in French; must identify at the beginning and at the end of each period of exchange of communication or test transmission, and at intervals of not more than 30 minutes throughout.
Visitors must identify using his or her call sign followed by a call area suffix, e.g., VE3FRV/W9 or N9CFX/VE3.
For details, see:
Both Canada and the US are also part of CITEL (and a IARP would otherwise be needed), however the bilateral treaty overrides the OAS member state status.

14. Canadian Call Areas

15. CEPT
European Conference of Postal & Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)
License classes handled differently:
Extra and Advanced (T/R 61-01) – full privileges (all member nations)
General ((05)06) – limited privileges (subset – 60%)
No provision for Technicians to operate
No permit required, but you must carry:
Original US license
Proof citizenship, e.g. passport
FCC memo (in 3 languages) DA A1.doc
See for details
 The acronym comes from the French version of its name Conférence européenne des administrations des postes et des télécommunications.

16. IARP International Amateur Radio Permit
Primarily for operation in countries of the Americas
Application made through ARRL
Permit good for 365 days
Morse code requirement
Details at

17. Sample Country Rules * Country Visited In-Country Operation Canada
Operate under "Basic" level rules (< 250W) and comply with special rules for identification, e.g. <US Call Sign>/VE7
Mexico
No operation allowed at this time but UK
Part of CEPT: can operate with original US license + proof citizenship + FCC memo. Privileges vary with USA class, i.e. Extra --> full privileges, General --> limited, Techs cannot operate under CEPT
Japan
Apply for permit: Should apply for "portable" license under 50W, must have a Japanese mailing address (to send permit to)
Australia
Extra-class operator only, must apply for a 90 day per entry license (will be issued a real VK call sign)
Israel
Has implemented CEPT: Same as UK
Panama
CITEL country, an IARP is necessary. Available via the US member society, i.e. contact the ARRL for details.
Vatican City
Amateur radio in the State of the Vatican City is club-station activity, with no individual station licenses granted. Authorization of guest operation at a club station is considered on a case-by-case basis.
You must research each time you travel, or 3rd party exchange messages as rules and agencies change frequently.
* As of 01-Nov-2017

18. Case Study Destination wedding in Belize
To research:
Notice:
Equipment is specifically known (by model and serial number) – the USA is actually unusual that we don’t directly track radio equipment.
You will get a Belize call sign for identification.
Leave yourself extra time. Remember that not everyone runs on “instant service” time. There are slower places in the world – friendly and courteous, but they run on their own clock.