Licensing information for British Virgin Islands - VP2V

Prepared by: OH2MCN - Veke & VE4GV - Rob & George/KC2QF aka VP2V/KC2QF & WB2HSI / N1QFW - Kenneth & N7MQ - Mark & K1ZZ - Dave & G3SWH - Phil & G3SWH - Phil & W4WGA - Glenn & WA2BRV - Jordan
Status: Feb - 96, July '99 links added, Oct '99 add'n, Mar '05, Feb '06, Apr '06, Jun 08

Intro: If you have a foreign ham license, you will get a reciprocal license in British Virgin Islands.

PTT:
Telecommunications Manager 
Ministry of Communications & Works 
R. G. Hodge Plaza, 3rd Floor 
(Upstairs Vehicle Licensing Dept.) 
Road Town, Tortola, BVI 
Tel. 284-468-3603 
Fax: 284-494-6462 

Office hours are M-F 8:30-4:30. 

Paperwork needed:
Send your application and a Notarized copy of your  license and a Copy of photo ID such as driver's license or passport photo page 
Price:
US$20.10 in the form of an international postal money order payable to "Accountant General, BVI" 
Special calls:
You will have to use "VP2V/YOURCALL".
How long before you can operate?
License restrictions:
The maximum power limit is 400 watts PEP output. All ITU-approved Region 2 amateur frequencies are authorized.
Customs:
Useful local contacts:
For many years the Telecommunications officer was Arthur Swain, VP2VA. If you really need help to get a licence, try Bob Denniston VP2VI at the Smugglers Cove Hotel. He is the original W0DX, ex ARRL Pres, DX Bigshot and was on the first Clipperton DXpedition back in '48. He's a unique eccentric old guy, but I bet he can help you get a license if you are really stuck.
Places to operate from:
If you're looking for a QTH, try the Long Bay Beach Resort. It has individual cottages and nicely sized palm trees for wires. Manager is David Birch PO Box 433 Roadtwown, Tortola BVI 809 495 4252. I stayed there, nice place. They have some experience with Ham radio.
Notes:

[email protected]

Rob Kaufmann VE4GV

Addition From: [email protected]

Hi Veke, I was in Tortola at the beginning of Feb. 1996. All u hve to do is go the gov't building in Roadtown, es show them a copy of ur current license with $20 US dollars es u get a portable VP2V license.If u hve any problems go see Bob VP2VI at Smugglers cove, he could help u, but see Bob anyway, he's a great guy es you'll love his bar! Just be careful when u get to the airport, hve ur receipts for all ur gear, to show that u own it all, the customs people may think u maybe selling it there, marine radios are at a premium there, have fun. Also Lee, VP2VE may be there, he's cool too.

73 es dx, George/KC2QF aka VP2V/KC2QF

Addition From: "Kenneth A. Williams, MD, FACEP" <[email protected]>

Date: Friday, January 17, 1997 10:12AM

Greetings. Some BVI hints. Haven't traveled there yet, but my license arrived a few days ago, within 2 weeks of sending notarized copies of FCC
license and INTERNATIONAL Postal Money Order for $20.10. overnight mail. FedX goes to BVI, Express Mail does not. The telecommunications officer is currently Guy Malone, who was very polite and helpful on the phone. Your listing for the telephone number is incomplete. The correct number is 809-494-3701. Looking forward to using the HT on the beach tomorrow!

73, WB2HSI and N1QFW

Comments: Spent CQ WW SSB test on Tortola in Oct/Nov 1998. Stayed at the Lloyd Hill Villas, which has a website. The owners, Hugo and Erlin Vanterpool were wonderful hosts, and put up with 6 of us, who "re-arranged" our unit to set up a M/S operation, with antennas all over the place.

Addition From: Phil Whitchurch < [email protected] > 
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 

Hi Veikko,

You may be interested in the attached application form for a licence for VP2V land, together with a form for authorising the payment of the fees by credit card. The licensing people are most helpful and can be contacted by e-mail at <[email protected]> or [email protected].

If you apply in sufficient time, they will mail you your licence in advance of your visit.

73 for now
-- 
Phil Whitchurch
G3SWH

Addition From: Phil Whitchurch <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2006 20:20:54 +0000

Veke

No, the hotel is not listed on the DX holiday web site. The link is:

http://www.neptunestreasure.com 

Neptune's Treasure is a superb location on Anegada island, the most northerly of the British Virgin Islands. Anegada is flat compared to the rest of the group and Neptune's Treasure is on the south side of the island. However, to the north are extensive salt ponds and the take off to North America and Europe is excellent. You have to take all your equipment with you and there are plenty of palm trees and open areas for setting up antennas. The owners are very friendly and were happy to let us do as we wished, providing we didn't disturb their other guests.

Access is a little difficult, as Smith's Ferry is servicing the island. Their schedule is as follows: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They depart Road Town, Tortola at 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and the journey takes about 90 minutes.

Alternatively, there is an efficient air taxi service from Tortola operated by Fly BVI < www.fly-bvi.com >

73 for now Phil G3SWH

Addition From: Glenn Ashmore [[email protected] ]
Date: 26.6.2008

The Telecom office has moved to the 3rd floor of the BVI Cable TV building across the street from the fire station. Requesting a reciprocal by mail can be slow. If you are running short of time drop off your application, copy of your license and a copy of the first page of your passport at the Telecom office in the morning and they will have your license ready after lunch. After July 1 it is half price. Cash is accepted.

Bob (VP2VI) and Arthur (VP2VA) are both SK. Colingston Georges (VP2VQ) has a great QTH in Josias Bay and will be glad to help if you have problems.

For a low cost ($110/night) QTH the lower unit of Chateau Relaxeau Carib is on the beach at Little Apple Bay. Great takeoff to NA and Europe. Covered patio to work from. Several places to hang wire and good WIFI access.

Even better is Cow Wreck Beach on Anegada. Three isolated cottages on the north shore. 150 yards to a low key beach bar. No trees so bring your own poles. I worked over 600 QSOs from West Coast US to Israel over 2 days using a vertical 20 meter Moxon set up on the beach between a pair of telescoping poles. Had to go split and drop back to 50 watts to maintain control of the pileup.

Glenn Ashmore W4WGA

Addition From: Jordan Makower [mailto:[email protected] ]
Date: 24.6.2008

The person presently in charge is: D. Woodley
The phone number is 284-468-3701 extension 4165
Their FAX number is 284-468-6786

Jordan, WA2BRV

DX Holiday VP2V - British Virgin Islands

For tourist info see: SubWWWay to the Caribbean

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