Use of Licenced Amateur Radio on Ship

[MM1HMV]

I am booked to do an Alaska cruise on the Norwegian Sun in June '08. As a licenced Radio Amateur I would like to use my radio (tranceiver)on board ship. Is this allowed? Do I require special permission and if so from whom? I will have my UK issued Amateur Radio Licence with me. Callsign MM1HMV

[Ron Clark]

I'm sure you will not be allowed to legally use a amateur radio transeceiver in territorial seas of other nations without additional licenses, but I admit I don't now about International seas. Is there a World License available? You're British license is only valid in Britian.

[MM1HMV]

Hi Ron Many thanks for your response. I do have the necessary licence to use my transceiver in most parts of the world including Canada and the USA. The problem would be the Master (Ships Captain) has the power to say yae or nae. So the question is still, will it be allowed on board ship.

[Jim C.]

I can't answer the question of if the Captain would allow it, but I can say that your reception won't be the best in your cabin. The ship will act like a big Farady cage unless you have a balcony cabin and want to use the radio on the balcony.

You would have to call the cruise line and ask if there are any rules about this. Its not something that comes up much other than people wishing to use walkie talkies on the ships (which are allowed) But the higher power of your xmitter is something different.

[Svein]

What frequencies are amateur radio operators using?

The day to day communication on the ship is by VHF - the rest is more or less by email. But I'd just talk to the ship management about it just to be sure.