Licensing information for the Bahamas - C6

Prepared by: OH2MCN - Veke & W5XJ - Terry & KK7MR - Courtney & KC1J - Tom & ON4BAM - Maurice & WA8SQX - Don & K8DD - Hank & N4RP/C6A - Dick & Dick Long WA4JID / C6AKE, W4AKE / C6AKE - Richard Long, K8DD - Hank, K6LMN, KG8CO - Brian
Status: Jan-96, May '98, March '99, May '99, July '99 links added, Jan '00, June '00, Jul '01 (complete update), Sep '01, Nov '03, Nov '04

Intro: The information on Bahamas has been completely updated courtesy of Dick Long, WA4JID aka W4AKE who holds the call of C6AKE in the Bahamas. He has lived in the Bahamas part time since 1972 and just returned from the Public Utilities Commission office last week .

The Executive Director and Secretary,
Public Utilities Commission,
P.O. Box N. 4860,
Nassau,
Bahamas.

Phone 242-322-4437 or (4438) or (4439).
Fax- 242-323-7288
Email:
Puc@Pucbahamas.gov.bs 
Att: Mrs. Chizelle A Whyms, Senior Clerk/Technical specialist,
direct Email CWhyms@PUCBahamas.gov.bs 

From ARRL News
at http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2001/01/03/1/?nc=1#New

New Bahamas reciprocal rules now in effect:
Richard Long, W4AKE/C6AKE reports that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in the Bahamas has taken over responsibility for radio licensing.
He said renewing a valid reciprocal license requires sending your license and an International Money Order for now $25.00 per year.
He says that if the latest payment was not recorded on the back of the license, you should include a copy of that receipt. He recommends keeping a copy of your license (front and back) plus any receipts you send.
To apply for a new Bahamian amateur reciprocal license, send a copy of your valid US license, a copy of identification (passport photo page, birth certificate), a letter of request, and an International Money Order for $25. Allow one to three months for processing and mailing.
You may only renew by mail or in person in Nassau; there are no PUC offices in the family islands.
The Nassau PUC office is at Agape House, fourth terrace east off Collins Avenue on the south side of the ridge, south of Doctors Hospital,
tel 242-322-4437/9;
fax 242-323-7288.
Ask for the Radio Licensing Department. The mailing address is:

Executive Director and Secretary
Public Utilities Commission
P O Box N.4860
Nassau
Bahamas
ATTN: Chizelle A. Whymms, Senior clerk/Technical
E-mail: Puc@Pucbahamas.gov.bs 

73's de Rick Long < w4ake@att.net >

Long says he'll be happy to answer any questions about Bahamian licensing.
Contact him at w4ake@att.net   or call 954-463 2281.
--Richard (Dick) Long, W4AKE/C6AKE


Addition From: Richard Long [mailto:wa4jid@worldnet.att.net]
Date: September 25, 2001
Subject: Re: Bahamas DX Trip

The PUC took over radio licensing in the Bahamas last year. Batelco had done a poor job of record keeping and had licenses (from all communications services) going back for years literally dumped in the PUC's Lap! In an attempt to find out which licenses are still valid they sent out the letter to (all) former licensees. Since many Bahamians don't like renewing licenses the threat of fines was included in the letter to urge them to get up to date. Ms Bethel is sorry for the misunderstanding for Hams and will clarify future letters that go out to expired Ham licensees. Basically the PUC is asking if you are going to keep your license active please send $6/yr. for the years it's been expired (this has always been policy) or return it to the PUC or send a letter stating you no longer will
be using it again. (If at some future time you want to return to the Bahamas you can always apply for a new license.) If you are renewing after 1 August the fee's for 2002 have been raised to $25/ yr.

Please update the Bahamas licensing page that all license fees (new or renewing) are now $25/calendar yr. except updating expired licenses the rate is $6/yr. for the back years before 2002. If you no longer use your license please turn it in or notify the PUC to cancel it. Also the PUC e-mail address is wrong on the web page. Correct is
Puc@Pucbahamas.gov.bs (according to C6AGG good luck on getting them to answer an  e-mail !)

Hope this clarifies, John. 73"s Dick Long W4AKE


Addition From: Hank Kohl K8DD k8dd@arrl.net
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003

In regards to:
Licensing information for the Bahamas - C6
The August letter from the PUC in Nassau says:

* Reciprocal Amateur Radio Station Licenses are now $25.00 per year


DX Holiday C6 - Bahamas

For travel info see: SubWWWay to the Caribbean


Back to MENU