Licensing information for Central African Republic - TL
Prepared by: OH2MCN - Veke & TL5A/PA3DZN - Alex
Status: June 1998, July '99 links added
Intro: Amateur Radio in the Central African Republic is a routine affair,
although obtaining the licence is a lengthy procedure. A licence can only be
requested while in the country, and can be obtained through the Radio
Communications Section of SOCATEL. Initial paperwork requires the completetion
of a standard questionaire about the equipment, frequencies, antenna's, and call
sign that you will use. This document will then be forwarded to various
ministries for approval, including the ones of Interior & National Safety,
Post & Telecommunications, Defence, and the Presidential Security. The
latter's approval will be sought for first, all others will follow suit. To
obtain those four signatures, expect a waiting period of 2-3 months. The person
to see is Mr. Amadi, Chief, Radio Communications Section. His office is located
on the 4th floor in the SOCATEL building. Working hours for officials in TL are
from 0730-1200/1230-1530 hrs. Best time to reach Mr. Amadi in his office is
between 0800-0830 hrs.
PTT:
SOCATEL
B.P. 939
Avenue des Martyrs
Bangui
Telephone +236 61 4268 (switch board)
Fax: +236 61 5048
Telex: 5355 RC
Radio Communications Section:
Telephone: +236 61 2264
Paperwork needed:
To get the application underway you will have to complete a standard SOCATEL
questionaire. In a later stage, copies of your national licence and your
national passport are required.
The best way to get a license:
Patience.
Price:
The application fee is 4,000 CFA (about US$ 8). The licence fee is 15,000 CFA (about
US$ 30). The licence is valid for a period of one year. Renewal fee is less.
Special calls:
You can request any TL prefix you want. Although Central Africa has a history of
assigning TL8 calls, where the suffix is formed by the initials of your name,
there is nothing that should stop you from being a bit creative! SOCATEL is very
flexible in that regard and will assign you whatever call sign you want.
How long before you can operate?
Given that the complete authorization procedure may take up to 3 months, SOCATEL
allows you to operate under the assigned call sign the moment the approval of
the Presidential Security and the approval of the Director General of SOCATEL
have been obtained. To obtain these signatures only, generally takes 3-4 weeks.
License restrictions:
When applying for a licence, simply request operation on "All Amateur Radio
Frequencies". That should cover whatever you want to do. As output power,
specify 100 WATTS.
Customs:
There exist extremely high taxes on import. Customs Officials will search
luggage upon arrival. Make sure you have watertight documentation.
Useful local contacts:
* The Protestant Mission in Bangui. Many American missionairies of this Mission
possess an Amateur Radio licence. They meet regularly on 40m SSB.
* Mr. Charles JANSKY, TL8CK. Can be contacted at Entreprise LEPREVOST, Avenue
Boganda, Bangui. Tel 61.32.77 Fax 61.19.58.
Places to operate from:
Electricity (and so is water) is erratic at best in most places of town. There
is not really a "good" place in that respect. There exists a high hill
on the eastern side of Bangui. The further downtown you choose your location,
the closer you will be situated to that hill blocking radio view due East. On
the west side of town (towards the airport) this hill is no longer an obstacle,
and ground conductivity is reportedly the best there (hint for LF DXers).
However, accomodation is more difficult to find in that area. Suitable hotels in
the city are Hotel Levy's, le Sofitel, and Hotel du Centre. The Sofitel is a
10-story high building located near the top of the aforementioned hill, with a
splendid view over the city, the river, and into 9Q, but runs at US$ 120 per
night.
Notes:
"Alex VAN EIJK"< vaneijk@un.org >
For travel info see: DESTINATION CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC and SubWWWay to Africa