REPUBLIC OF PANAMA AMATEUR RADIO LICENSING INFORMATION

 

 

GENERAL RULES:

·        Regardless of any reciprocal operating agreement, alien amateur licensees can operate an amateur radio station transmitting within the territory of the Republic of Panama only AFTER obtaining from Panama’s Ministry of Government and Justice a Temporary Operation Permit, or a Panama Amateur Radio License, or after the proper notification to said authority, in case the foreign licensed radio amateur is the holder of an IARP.

 

·        Amateur radio operation in the Republic of Panama without the Temporary Operation Permit (TOP) or Panama’s Amateur Radio License, or under an IARP is ILEGAL.

 

·        The Republic of Panama participates in the International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP) agreement and the use of the IARP is enforced and recommended for foreigners’ temporary amateur radio operation in the country. The operation under an IARP only requires a previous notification to the Ministry of Government and Justice of the date, place and duration of permanence of the foreign amateur operator in the Republic Panama. For more information regarding the IARP please see http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/iarp-app.pdf

 

 

TEMPORARY OPERATION PERMIT (TOP):   Foreign amateur operators not holders of an IARP can apply for a TOP when visiting the Republic of Panama. When a station is transmitting under a TOP the call sign must include the HP of Panama’s international designation, the general geographical location of the station (zone of operation*)- followed by the slant mark (/) and the alien operator home call (HP*/home call).

TOP applications require the following documents:

1.    A power of attorney granted to a Panamanian lawyer to request the TOP.

2.    A photocopy of the alien’s amateur radio license duly CERTIFIED by a public notary (or other corresponding authority from the country of its origin) that the photocopy is identical to the original and that the license has not expired and is still valid. The document should also be authenticated by a Panamanian  Consulate.

3.    A photocopy of the passport certified by a public notary in the Republic of Panama.

4.    Two photos of the amateur operator, carnet size (1” x 1”).

5.    US$ 8.00 in fiscal stamps (obtained at any “National Bank de Panama” branch).

6.    The payment of US$20.00 for the TOP fee.

 

PANAMA AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE: Is ONLY granted to foreign amateur radio operators who establish their legal and definitive residence in the Republic of Panama (as a legal resident or retiree).

Panama Amateur Radio License applications require the following documents:

1.    A power of attorney granted to a Panamanian lawyer to request the license.

2.    A photocopy of the alien’s amateur radio license duly CERTIFIED by a public notary (or other corresponding authority from the country of its origin) that the photocopy is identical to the original and that the license has not expired and is still valid. The document should also be authenticated by a Panamanian  Consulate.

3.    A photocopy of the passport and of the visa granting the definitive residence (or retiree visa), certified by a public notary in the Republic of Panama.

4.    Two photos of the amateur operator, carnet size (1” x 1”).

5.    US$ 8.00 in fiscal stamps (obtained at any “National Bank de Panama” branch).

6.    The payment of US$20.00 for the License fee.

 

PROCEDURE:

The documents listed above should be delivered to the Department of Communications of the Ministry of Government and Justice (Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia /Medios de Comunicación Social), located at the former Howard Air Force Base, Building 703, 2nd floor.

Telephone: 512-2165

Working hours:  8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Monday trough Friday,

(When submitting the documents make sure that you leave your telephone or address so that you may be contacted).