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Author Topic: Operating in Greece  (Read 773 times)

K1WMT

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Operating in Greece
« on: August 06, 2019, 02:57:05 AM »

We are going on holiday to Greece and I would like to bring my VHF radios with me.  As an Extra Class licensee I understand that I may operate in Greece based on an CEPT T/r 61-01 ruling as a portable or mobile operator.   I am well aware that different rules apply than in the USA and that I must be compliant, following the Greece band plan, wattage and so on.
  
I was startled to read of the arrest of a ham operator some years back (http://hamgallery.com/gallery/D/dj6si.htm) after only operating for a few days.  While I can appreciate that a mistake was made,  I was surprised that Greece was monitoring traffic so closely.  Perhaps world terrorism has caused the step up monitoring?  I'm not condoning illegal activity, but the Greek response seemed like lightning compared to an FCC response which are often initiated in response to a complaint.  Then again, their spook agencies may be driving this monitoring?   Who knows, the NSA is probably monitoring our activity too!

I am interested in hearing experiences any American travelers have had using Ham equipment, VHF, HF, etc. in Greece.  Tips and tricks are also appreciated.

Thank you,

73,

Bill
« Last Edit: August 06, 2019, 03:10:57 AM by K1WMT »
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W9IQ

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2019, 03:11:16 AM »

I had no problems as SV8/ during the austerity riots . Follow the requirements by carrying the CEPT license documents and your license copy. Be aware of their call sign districts for proper identification. On VHF, observe the 15 watt limit.

Enjoy Greece!

- Glenn W9IQ
« Last Edit: August 06, 2019, 03:14:40 AM by W9IQ »
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

N5GWU

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2019, 09:39:17 PM »

I was stationed on the island of Crete in 1982 and got my Novice ticket then and with the help of Charlie Jackson, SV0AA, now a silent key, I got the Greek issued license which enabled me to work all power levels and all subbands without restrictions.  I called as KA2PFV/SV9 and when I had the chance I would use the base MARS station to contest and stuff (after I had run the requisite number of phone patches).  I had a Swan 350A and ran it to a TH3JR yagi that I initially put up in base house at the lofty height of 18 feet.  After the base approved the antenna, I gave it a few weeks for the neighbors to get used to it and then slid in another 6 feet of water pipe.  I did this every 2 or 3 weeks for a while and finallly had it up to a reasonable 36 feet and normally got a really good signal out.  Those were the days.
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WW5F

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2019, 04:47:06 AM »

I inquired a few years ago (1992) (via snail mail) and got a letter back from:

Republique Hellenique
Ministere des Transport et des Communications
Administration des Postes det des Telecommunications
49 Avenue Syngrou
GR - 11780 Athens
Greece

saying, paraphrased, according to Greece Legislation and the agreement of reciprocity between the USA and Greece, our administration may grant you the following:

A.  A provisional license for a year.  Your call sign during your stay in Greece will be SV/ your international call sign /P or /M.

B.  A radio amateur's licence for three years with new call sign SV0.

An application needs your name/address, type of equipment, time and place you are going to operate and a copy of your American license.

I was assigned SV0JG when I was on Crete with a Greek form with handwritten information and some stamps on it.

This was a few years ago, so I'd first start by writing a letter of inquiry with the above information to the above address and a copy of your license and see what comes back.

You may want to contact someone in the Radio Amateur Association of Greece first and ask questions.  Email today makes it a bit faster, if they respond...

http://www.raag.org/homepage.asp?ITMID=2&LANG=EN

In the Licensing tab of the above web page, it says:

For Applications and Information Contact:

Mr G.Velonis (g.velonis@mindigital.gr)

Ministry of Digital Policy,
Dpt. of Communication Control

FRAGKOYDI 11 & ALEKSANDROY PANTOY
P.O. 10163
KALITHEA
GREECE
Telephone: 0030- 2109098879
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W9IQ

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2019, 04:57:49 AM »

Guy,

Things have changed a bit since then. Greece is a CEPT country so if you are an extra or advanced class licensee, there is no need to apply for anything. Just carry the required CEPT documents (English, German and French), your license and your passport then you can operate per their country rules. It sure makes things a lot easier!

http://www.arrl.org/cept#targetText=Under%20the%20CEPT%20Agreement%2C%20to,have%20implemented%20the%20CEPT%20Agreement.

- Glenn W9IQ

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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

WW5F

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2019, 10:11:28 AM »

Well, it wouldn't hurt to make an inquiry first.  I would.  I was the 6th to last person to leave the communications squadron at Iraklion Air Station, Crete.  We closed it in 1993.  Best 2 years of my ham radio (SV0JG) life!  Packed up all our Air Force stuff and left.  Why?  Because of the political situation over there.  And I don't think it has gotten any better.

And I would want to have some papers, any papers, ready in case something like what happened to DJ6SI happened to me these days.

Along with my passport, ham license and a copy of the FCC's CEPT Public Notice (translated and printed in GREEK), I would want the return email from Mr G.Velonis (g.velonis@mindigital.gr), Ministry of Digital Policy, Dpt. of Communication Control saying something like, "yes, no problem, just keep your passport, ham license, and a copy of the CEPT Public Notice with you."

Most American's get into trouble over seas because they assume they have "rights."  This isn't always true.  Better safe than sorry.

I was arrested in Morocco in the late 80's for taking pictures of a bar and, incidentally, the Police Station next to it.  (That's illegal?  I didn't know!)  I was able to explain to them in broken French why I was taking pictures.  Long story short, my grandfather owned that bar two weeks before the Americans landed in WWII.  After spending some time in lockup, I'm sure they were able to verify my name on the passport they confiscated with property records, take my film and let me go.  I was then followed (conspicuously) until I got on the plane and left.  That was a harrowing experience for me.  They must have thought I was a terrorist.  I guess that's why I'm so cautious these days.  I don't like to be "detained" in foreign countries.
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K7MEM

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2019, 11:03:54 AM »

Well, it wouldn't hurt to make an inquiry first.  I would.  I was the 6th to last person to leave the communications squadron at Iraklion Air Station, Crete.  We closed it in 1993.  Best 2 years of my ham radio (SV0JG) life!  Packed up all our Air Force stuff and left.  Why?  Because of the political situation over there.  And I don't think it has gotten any better.

The situation was similar in Germany. I was contracted to the Air Force and worked at Zweibruken AFB in 1980. At the time I only had a Novice license, but that translated for a full Class A German license and the call sign DA2EU. But after a couple of years, with contracts changing, I came back to the US. A few years after that, the air base was given back to the Germans. Today, if I look at a Google map, I can barely recognize the area. The only thing I can still recognize is the Ice Rink, Bowling Alleys, and food vendors, which are now run by the Germans.

I was never arrested while I was there but one day, the XYL and I were heading to Ramstein AFB because they had the big BX. The line getting in was longer than usual and when we got to the gate, everyone was pointing guns at us. It turned out that, just hours before we got there, a terrorist set off some fire extinguisher bombs (car in the parking lot) and blew all of the windows out of the head quarters building and ruined a few cars. Only one of the bombs actually went off. We were lucky because, it happened in the early morning, before most people got to work. I did know a few people that were in the building when it went off, but no one was injured.

After that, security at the entrances was beefed up and everyone tread very lightly.
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N9LCD

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2019, 12:00:50 PM »

Bill:

See if there's a Consulate General or Consulate of Greece in Boston.

They either have or could direct you to the latest correct and official information.

73!

N9LCD
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W9IQ

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2019, 12:07:12 PM »

Maybe you could renounce your US citizenship, become a Greek citizen and then take their amateur radio test to earn a Greek license.

Or you could learn how CEPT works across Europe.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

WW5F

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2019, 05:00:31 PM »

<sarcasm deleted>

Or you could learn how CEPT works across Europe.

- Glenn W9IQ
Glenn, yes, that's the problem.  Just because it's known at the international level doesn't mean it's known at the local police level.  And unless you've experienced being at the mercy of a local cop who thinks he's god and the supreme ruler of the local area and the one who takes money under the table for special treatment from the local businesses, you won't understand that the freedoms and rights we take for granted here in the good 'ole USA can't be taken for granted in a little Podunk corrupt community in a country that doesn't have a "bill of rights" with a corrupt cop who sees an opportunity to heavily fine the rich American on some stupid or outdated or unknown law of the local land and pocket half the money.

Most American's just can't believe that happens any where in the world.

K1WMT, inquire, or don't inquire.  Take some extra precautions or don't take some extra precautions.  Greece is a wonderful place filled with history, culture and customs.  They love tourists... as long as you follow all their rules.  Good luck.
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W9IQ

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RE: Operating in Greece
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2019, 05:12:54 PM »

Well, I put on a couple of hundred thousand miles a year of international travel and I have never had the police even show the slightest interest in my amateur radio operations. I rarely get questioned even at customs or immigration.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.
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