Before anyone travelling to the Caribbean "gets prepared" and worries about showing of all of these documents, keep in mind that no one cares about someone transporting their own amateur radio through customs. Their concern is catching stuff that is going to be sold - and they want to collect the duty on it.
Have your FCC license with you and the owner's manual for the radio - just in case. It is your personal property, and you will not be leaving it in the country you are taking it to. It is of no more concern than if you were bringing a camera with you. All that said, I have been through customs dozens of times going to Antigua and back through U.S. customs both in Puerto Rico and in Miami and not once did anyone ask me for any FCC id numbers or anything like that - either direction. Act like there's no reason to be concerned (which there really isn't - since you are not importing the stuff to sell it) and pay one of the porters at the airport to take all of your bags on one of their carts - including any radio equipment - right from baggage claim area, through customs, and then outside the airport. Do not volunteer any information you are not asked for or mention ham radio equipment unless you are asked about it. You should not take your radio or amplifier in the original cartons. Get them inside of normal looking suitcases if at all possible. Look like a tourist - not a freight transporter. 73, Bob W5OV / V26O -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2009 6:44 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] FCC ID & DOC # for the K2... > As I find the answer, I'll post to the board. Thanks, Guy, N7UN/2 The answer is that an FCC ID number may, or may not be affixed to your Part 97 transceiver. With the exception of amplifiers under part 97.315, Part 97 transceivers need no certification/authorization, even if they are imported into the U.S. This should not be confused with certification under Part 15 where a "personal use" exemption often applies. In St. Lucia, you'll need to demonstrate that your transceiver is exempt from certification/authorization. Your job is convince the respective county's customs officers that amateur-band transceivers require no FCC certification/authorization. If an external RF amplifier is being taken, then be prepared to show evidence of the FCC ID number to both U.S. and foreign customs agents. Upon re-entry into the U.S., be prepared to show CBP officers a copy of Part 97 and 47 CFR 2.1204. I would also bring a copy of ET Docket No. 03-108 which DOES specifically state that Part 97 transceivers are exempt from certification/authorization. Otherwise, you will not find a rule within Part 97 that specifically excludes certification/authorization for amateur transceivers. It's the absence of an affirmative rule that presents difficulties when an officer states: "Fine, but show me the rule." Paul, W9AC. ----- Original Message ----- From: "GUY HAMBLEN" <hambl...@optonline.net> To: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2009 6:53 PM Subject: [Elecraft] FCC ID & DOC # for the K2... > Here's a link to information about an FCC ID#. St Lucia > Telecommuncations Bureau is asking for this information prior to > bringing my transceiver into the country. > > "An FCC ID has 2 elements. The first is a three-character Grantee Code > which usually begins with an alphabetic character and does not contain > 1s or 0s. The FCC permanently assigns this code to a company for > authorization of radio frequency equipment." from > http://www.tech-faq.com/fcc-id.shtml. > > My Yaesu handheld has a FCC ID on the case under the battery. I may be > mistaken, but isn't this # part of the Type Acceptance process for any > transceiver? > > As I find the answer, I'll post to the board. Thanks, Guy, N7UN/2 > > >> From: Phil Kane > >> AFAIK there is no such thing as "FCC ID" for a transceiver of >> this sort but check with Elecraft to see if they have ever run >> into this. > > An amateur bands-only transceiver capable of operating strictly within > Part > 97 spectrum is exempt from FCC importation certification/authorization. > See > 47 CFR 2.1204(a)(2). This rule is further exemplified under ET Docket > No. > 03-108; FCC 07-66. "Cognitive Radio Technologies and Software Defined > Radios." > > Paul, W9AC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
