International Operating

Overview

Amateurs sometimes visit other countries and naturally want to operate
their amateur stations. The three types of reciprocal operating
authority are 1) a CEPT license; 2) an IARP; and 3) a reciprocal permit
from a country which does not participate in either of these two
multilateral agreements. Always follow all of the communications rules
of the country visited. To operate under CEPT or IARP, the amateur must
be a licensee in the country of citizenship.

Canada is the exception to the above. The US and Canada share an
automatic reciprocal operating agreement. US amateurs must carry proof
of their US citizenship and their valid US license. Identification for
US amateurs is the US call separated by a stroke and the appropriate
Canadian prefix identifier (e.g. N1KB/VE3). In all other instances, or
as specified by the national licensing body, the prefix goes before the
call sign. For further information on US/Canadian operation, visit the
RAC Web site.

Operation in the US by Foreign Amateurs

Foreign amateurs who wish to operate in the US and are not US licensees
or citizens may do so in one of three ways:

1) 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. Identify your station by the US call district identifier, such as W3/G1ABC. Use "W" and the number of the FCC
call letter district in which you are operating followed by a slash and
your home call sign (plus any other CEPT or IARP requirements). Amateurs
must be a citizen of the country in which they are licensed. This is
intended for short visits.

2) Or, if your country of citizenship and amateur license share a
bilateral Reciprocal Operating Agreement with the US, the FCC allows
foreign amateurs to operate with no permit. Simply carry your foreign
amateur license and proof of your citizenship in that country. Identify
using "W" and the number of the FCC call letter district in which you are operating followed by a slash and your non-US call sign, e.g. W3/G1ABC). Amateurs must be a citizen of the country in which they are licensed.
Check these links for a list of the US call districts shown graphically
or for a text listing.

3) If your country of citizenship and amateur license is not named in
lists of countries that have such agreements with the US, then no
operating agreement is in effect between the US and that country--and
operation is not possible in the US based on your home license. Should
you wish to seek such an agreement between your home country and the US
for the future, you may want to contact your national Amateur Radio
society to request that they contact the responsible government official
to request such an agreement with the US. US citizenship is not required
to obtain a US license, but a US mailing address is. Once a person is
prepared to take the US license examinations, licensing is possible in
as little as a few days to a week. If a US license is held, no other
reciprocal operating authority may be used for operation in the US.

Check the bulletin in this area for the list of countries which have
signed a reciprocal operating agreement with the US. If your country of citizenship and amateur license is not named in the list above, see if
it is possible to obtain a CEPT license or an IARP from your home
country. If none these are possible, then no reciprocal operating
authority is in effect between the US and that country and operation
is not possible in the US.

Foreign amateurs may, however, obtain a US license by taking and passing
the appropriate license. To find information on obtaining a US license,
see http://www.arrl.org/foreign-licenses-operating-in-u-s . A US mailing address is required for application purposes. If a US license of any class
is held by the foreign amateur, it supercedes any other operating authority when operating in the US. In that case, the US license MUST be used in place
of any other operating authority. If the country holds no reciprocal
operating agreement with the US and does not participate in CEPT or IARP,
a US license is the only option. You can NOT ask a licensed U.S. amateur
radio operator to use their address...you MUST provide your own.

Operation Outside the US by FCC-Licensed Amateurs

US amateurs and citizens may operate under a multilateral agreement
(CEPT or IARP) very easily. Countries which have entered into a
Reciprocal Operating Agreement with the US, but are not part of CEPT
or IARP arrangements require that a permit be obtained. Even if a
reciprocal agreement does not exist, it may still be possible to obtain
a permit from the foreign government.
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