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hamman
  12/30/2010 11:00 EST

Would like to contact any hams in Cuenca, Ecuador

dickdecker
  12/30/2010 20:15 EST

I am a ham thinking of retiring in cuenca also. Would like to know too if there is ham activity there.

dickdecker K6SUU

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denalex89
  12/31/2010 11:37 EST

There are ham radio clubs in Ecuador. Here is a link to the club in Cuenca.
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=4296

73's
Dennis K0daa

DrBob
  12/31/2010 20:06 EST

Hi Dick,
I'm also a ham AF6QH thinking of retiring in Cuenca. I did locate a couple of clubs in Ecuador, don't believe they are in Cuenca though. I live in San Diego, seriously thinking of full time retirement w/in the next year. Cuenca looks good. I'm an ex-Peace Corps Volunteer from Chile. How about you?

coulterj
  1/2/2011 17:28 EST

We are also planning on moving to Cuenca and as an avid ham radio operator, I hope to operate there. We are taking our first exploratory trip 1/15-30, 2011. Not sure when we will make the move. There is a an amateur club in Cuenca and I think you must join and operate portable /HC5. Don Sanders, W4BWS in Bahia has a lot of information. Do a google search and you will find information on the Cuenca Club.

dickdecker
  1/3/2011 21:55 EST

I live in Turlock, CA up by Modesto. Last year I was in Cotacatchi and San Clemente on the coast. Cotacachi too quiet. Wife didn't like sand fleas in San Clemente. Planning to go to Cuenca for the first time March, 2011. I worked for Uncle Sam and travelled all over the world. Hablo un poco and love Andean flute music. Coming up on age 64. I also have a doctorate but in bus admin. Let's put up a repeater on top of one of the condo's. Either you or I will have to buy a penthouse to get the best antenna location!

Dick K6SUU

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eidsness
  1/4/2011 08:38 EST

Hello Dick Decker - Was hoping to send you a personal message, but was unable to get a PM box to open up. Could you contact me please at [email protected]
Thanks, Carl

hamman
  1/4/2011 08:46 EST

Thanks,
This is a good start
k4vdq

DrBob
  1/4/2011 11:49 EST

I'd like to piggy-back on hamman's post(s) because I wasn't able to get a PM box to open up. I'd like to make contact with coulterj in particluar. Also hi to Dick Decker.
Glad to hear there is a radio club in Cuenca which is why these posts are so important for shared information. I've been experimenting with digital D-Star which also opens up some amateur possibilities.
73's
drbob AF6QH [email protected]

w0sd
  1/6/2011 19:46 EST

I am W0SD and my XYL W0OE will be in Cuenca for a winter vacation for a couple of months starting around January 20th. We hope to rent an apartment. I will certainly post here when we have a place in Cuenca.

I find nothing about any recent Cuenca Amateur Radio Club news. What I see ends about the year 2000.

Ed W0SD
Edith W0OE

denalex89
  1/7/2011 20:05 EST

If you go to this site from the arrl, it will give the info for the Ecuador country radio club info for getting your radio license.

http://www.arrl.org/select-countries-e-h

73's
Dennis K0DAA

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coulterj
  1/8/2011 07:53 EST

I believe the information on operating in Ecuador on the ARRL site is for those who are planning a short term "Dx-pedition." It is my understanding that once you get your permanent visa, you can bring in your ham equipment duty free with your household goods as long as the total value is not more than $4000/person. Also this must be done within 3 months of obtaining your permanent visa. You can operate with your call/HC. Also, it is expected that you join one the ham radio clubs. I expect you also have the option of becoming licensed as a HC if you are fluent in Spanish and can take the test. Dr. Don Sanders, W4BWS/HC5 who lives in Bahia has good information and has published a book that is invaluable for expats.

withoutego
  1/9/2011 10:55 EST

I was W(zero)GMT until a couple of years ago. I am encouraged now that I have been in Ecuador five weeks to think about renewing my license and operating here when I get residence.

I pretty much stayed on HF CW and low power most of the time so a station would be easy to import. Thanks for the link, the Cuenca ARC would be the way to go for me, I really like Cuenca.

I think too it would be neat to exercise the Spanish in CW contacts! get the brain into second gear.

Thanks for the info and reminder. I got my general when I was twelve so getting back on the air in my second childhood seems appropriate.

sin undas cortas

DSanders
  3/22/2011 16:05 EST

For those Ham Radio operators moving to Cuenca, I suggest making contact with my friend Pablo Zambrano HC5AI.
He is a professor and speaks English well and likes the practice.
His address is PO Box 0101-1300, Cuenca, EC
His phone is 093887382

I do not believe the Cuenca Radio club is still active but it may be that whom ever had the web page is no longer available to update it.

Dr Don HC4/W4BWS

guideaux
  8/31/2011 13:38 EST

We are thinking of moving to Manta area next year. 84 year old Father is Ham operator and he might come with us. Is there a club along the coast there that speaks english?
Victoria

vega2499
  9/1/2011 12:11 EST

I would be interested also in finding a club midcoast from Manta to Bahia. I'm K0VMZ and moving soon to San Clemente.

AlohaRitch
  1/4/2015 20:06 EST

Do you have an email for that contact?

withextraego
  1/5/2015 08:30 EST

Good to see the possibility of more amateurs moving to Ecuador. I have been here for four plus years. In Vilcabamba now, started in Cuenca.

My new call is KC1CCG. I finally got the extra class. Before that K7PKR, WAzeroUNR, WzeroGMT and no doubt a couple I've forgotten.

I have been given leads to people in a club in Loja. Havn't had time to investigate. Finally have the ideal QTH (location) high up overlooking the valley. In the near future I will contact the club and see what I need to do for the DX call.

Sad note for people going to Cuenca. I have never heard a nosier (RFI) environment. That is Radio Noise from millions of cables strung along streets. Five over nine (very strong) so Short Wave would be a challenge in the city. Here in Vilca....don't know yet but I expect its low.

A CW (Morse code) net would be fun. Something hams do iinto their 80's to keep the brain agile.

Maybe Susan might join in.

maxego

OceanHideaway
  1/5/2015 14:07 EST

I'm no ham...I perform on the legitimate stage :)

b3rick
  1/5/2015 22:36 EST

I am new to the forum but can offer some current information about Amateur Radio in Ecuador. My US callsign is KK4GV and I am licensed in Ecuador as HC1GVT. Here is the story:

When I wanted to go to Ecuador the first time I looked up the instructions on ARRL but they are out of date. Emailing the Guayaquil club and checking their website did not help. After months of searching for a way to get an HC license I happened to hear of another ham planning an Ecuador DXpedition. I wrote to him and he helped me get the license.

I have made over 1000 QSO's (contacts) including 65 DX (countries) and 40 States from Ecuador. We explored Ecuador extensively before deciding where to live and met some really nice hams around the country. I operated an ICOM-706 into dipoles from almost everywhere we stayed and worked many pile-ups (lots stations from around the world calling all at once to compete for a contact with Ecuador).

As it turns out a club in Ecuador must sponsor you and your temporary license is good for 90 days and renewable only once. The fellow I contacted handled me through the club in Quito. The fees are not much, something like $30 to the club and $10 for SENATEL, their version of the US FCC. I had to get my passport and US ham license notarized and apostilled in my home state in the US and fill out the application and send small passport type photos to appear on the license. The FedEx envelope to Quito was the greatest expense, $86. I have done this twice now and will have to wait for my residency and cedula to be complete before I can apply for my regular license.

It appears that the ITU appointed the Guayaquil club to be the ITU representative for the country but I am not sure they are currently handling any licenses. Any official Ecuador club can sponsor you. In fact, I plan to join the Manabi Radio Club in Portoviejo and hopefully get HC4GV. Right now I hold HC1GVT, the T meaning temporary. The US and Ecuador have reciprocity so I do not think I will have to take a test for the regular license. Even with reciprocity one has to go through whatever licensing process each country requires. Pre-pending an HC/ to a US call sign is not an option under Ecuador's rules.

I don't have Cuenca specific information but I have worked a few hams there so their club should be somewhat active. I am happy to see a lot if interest because Ecuador needs more hams prepared to help in emergencies and participate in their clubs.

73, Rick
KK4GV
HC1GVT

AlohaRitch
  1/6/2015 16:30 EST

Many thanks for the info folks! I hadn't thought about all the "noise" in Cuenca but that sure makes sense, especially when one sees any urban telephone pole!
Rick, are you doing the dipole in a urban setting? Also, let us know if you have to do any exam over...if you would. And how's your spanish? Or is there a lot of English from those ECO club hams? This is good info and helps a bunch.
Ritch
KC4ZTF

b3rick
  1/6/2015 20:26 EST

The dipoles were used in mountain and coastal resorts where I could find trees and space to hang them. Have not tried urban areas but I can imagine horrendous power line RFI.

Still a beginner in Spanish. I have made some QSO's in Spanish but they were limited to name, signal report, and mucho gusto y 73. The few hams I met at clubs spoke little or no English. The others were ex-pats.

Rick KK4GV

janl162
  1/7/2015 01:29 EST

According to the 2000 regulations on the Quito Radio Club site, these are the requirements for a foreign permanent resident to get a radio license in Ecuador: (translation below)

- Para ciudadanos extranjeros

a) Formulario de solicitud (especie valorada);
b) Copia certificada de su pasaporte por inmigración;
c) Copia del certificado de residencia y de las actividades a las cuales se dedica;
d) Características técnicas de los equipos y copias de los planos de los sistemas de
transmisión/recepción;
e) Diagramas de bloques de las instalaciones;
f) Copia de la licencia de radioaficionados otorgada en el país de origen;
g) Dos fotos tamaño carné;
h) Certificado de ser afiliado a un Radio Club; e,
i) Fe de presentación al CC.FF.AA. para que otorgue el Certificado de Antecedentes Personales.

With a lot of help from the translators connected to spanishdict.com translates something like this:

-For foreign citizens

(a) form (valued species);
(b) certified copy of your passport by immigration;
(c) copy of the certificate of residence and activities dedicated to them;
(d) technical characteristics of the equipment and copies of the drawings of the systems of
transmission/reception;
(e) the facilities block diagrams;
f) copy of the amateur radio licence granted in the country of origin;
(g) two photographs passport size;
(h) certificate of being affiliated with a Radio Club; e,
(i) Fe's presentation at CC.FF.AA. so that it granted the certificate of personal background.

I went through the whole set of regulations dated 2000, so I have a very, VERY rough translation of the whole thing, and I will e-mail it to you if you PM me.

janl162
  1/7/2015 01:33 EST

Sorry about the double post. I got an error message on the first attempt.

b3rick
  1/7/2015 20:11 EST

Here is a link to the Quito Club page with all the rules and more:

http://www.quitoradioclub.com/quito_radio_club_006.html

I typically copy and paste whole pages into Google Translate and that works pretty well.

73, Rick

w0or
  1/29/2015 13:21 EST

I am also new to the forum. I got my license through the Quito Radio Club. I joined the club as a foreign member with dues of $50 per year. I know of at least one other U.S. ham who is a member of the Quito Radio Club and he is HC1MD, who is a doctor in Michigan with the U.S. call of NE8Z. He gave me the information that I needed to get the Ecuador license. Before obtaining my HC1 license (which are my initials plus the "T" for temporary), I was told by the President of the Guayaquil club that it was permissible to use the call HC1/ (US call) without going through the process of obtaining an HC call. I have not been told that the Temporary call is only renewable once, but I have been told by the President of the Quito Club that once a call is assigned, in my case HC1WDT, it is the call I will have for life. If we should obtain permanent residency status in Ecuador, in theory the "T" would be dropped. My wife and I are not permanent residents, but we own a house in Ecuador and intend to travel here during the winter for extended periods. I have read the amateur radio regulations for Ecuador and I have not found a reference to a limit on the number of times a temporary license may be renewed. If someone knows for sure that is the case, I would appreciate a reference.

withoutego
  1/29/2015 21:22 EST

HC1WDT de KC1CCG

Thanks for sharing your experience with getting the call. I have been a resident of Ecuador for several years and this is the clearest info I have seen in a while.

I have a location now that encourages me to set up a station. QRP CW just to keep it simple. That is low power, 20 watts or less...and Morse code. With home made equipment.

Hope to see you on the air one of these days.

sinego

b3rick
  1/29/2015 23:24 EST

Below is a Google translate of the relevant rule to English. Article 7C mentions the 90 days and renew only once that I was subject to as HC1GVT.

Also, although the ITU would accept "HC1/US Call" as a valid format, I do not actually see in the rules that Ecuador allows it. Maybe they use it for the international license?

73, Rick KK4GV

Art. 7. To operate an amateur station is essential to obtain the credential
operation, which will be unique, personal and not transferable.
a) The duration of the credential general amateur radio is five years;
b) The duration of the credential amateur rookie is two years;
c) The duration of operation amateur credentials in transit shall be ninety days
renewable only once; and,
d) The duration of the international credential will be in accordance with the terms of the agreements
international signed by the country, such as reciprocity and IARP.
The SNT distinctive grant special call for certain events when the request it
concerned.

OceanHideaway
  1/30/2015 01:13 EST

And may I add...you folks rock!

...no other expat forum has gotten this info together...only ExpatExchange ... thanks!

w0or
  1/31/2015 07:17 EST

In my earlier posting I indicated that the "T" at the end of a call was for "temporary" That is actually not the case. The "T" is for "transito", which means "in transit". Because this license is limited to 90 days, it appears that it corresponds to the normal tourist visa limit of 90 days. As for the license being renewable only once, that could be interpreted to mean an extension on the 90 days. In my case I have been licensed in Ecuador twice, each time for 90 days, both times with the call HC1WDT. However, now, on my second trip to Ecuador, my visa is good for 180 days. I was told by officials at the Quito Radio Club that my current license is renewable for a second 90 days. I certainly intend to ask the authorities to clarify that interpretation the next time I am in Quito. In any case, the final clause of the regulation would seem to indicate that if one holds a license in a country, such as the U.S., that has a reciprocal agreement with Ecuador, that it is permissible to operate in Ecuador. That is the interpretation I was given by the president of the Guayaquil club.

b3rick
  1/31/2015 10:00 EST

I have called it T for temporary as well but I do agree that it does actually mean "in transit."

The interpretation and local usage of all these rules, especially usage of the "HC/US call" identifier, is really up to the Ecuadorians and I can respect that. Who am I to say how it should be done in Ecuador?

Trying my best to follow their rules and be a good ham.

73, Rick KK4GV - HC1GVT

withoutego
  1/31/2015 15:29 EST

So, the key would seem to be going thru a club. The one in GYE or one in Loja.

Yes, doing it legally is the right way. I was describing all this to someone a few weeks ago and, not having any experience with the hobby, they ask, "why not just get on? Ignore the regulations"

I was speechless (briefly). As the brits would say...."because its just not cricket". I think they were from eleven meters (CB). A cultural thing. Why not play chess with your own rules?

Amateurs really were the first users of wireless communication. Maybe being in the linage of the nerds of a century ago calls for respecting tradition and law. And it would make contest points difficult as well.

sinego, KC1CCG

WB4OZM
  1/7/2017 10:35 EST

Good day! I have been here in Cuenca EC for two months and having a blast with my 706MKIIG and a 130' long wire end fed antenna.. My container just came and I'm setting up my ICOM 7851, Alpha 8100 and Palstar AT-AUTO tuner, horizontal loop and my 60' Glen Martin tower with Hazer unit for my Force 12 C-3E and my N260 40 m two element yagi. I have my HC5/WB4OZM ticket, and next month(February) I"ll be getting my HC5DS call sign! Yay!
Any hams in the area of Cuenca wanna meet up? If so, email me from QRZ or [email protected]
73
Good Dxing
David-

withoutego
  1/8/2017 03:26 EST

David

How did you get a HC5 call so quickly? And too, how do you handle the QRM (man made radio noise) in Cuenca, its pretty severe as I recall

sinego, KC1CCG from Vilcabamba

richaard
  1/8/2017 18:56 EST

The easiest way is to join a radio club,give them copies of your licenses, and for ten bucks plus the club fees, almost within a week you will have your license...HC6RO/KT7B

WB4OZM
  1/9/2017 06:19 EST

Hello KC1CCG,Sinego,

I gave all my paper work and the reciept of the Visa to get my call sign.
How is Villcabama treating you? Placing my 40 beam up today.. The QRM was high in the city of Cuenca, but I'm outside about 35 minutes from El Centro, it's about an S-4 here.
David
HC5/WB4OZM

WB4OZM
  1/9/2017 06:26 EST

Hello, QRM was high in Cuenca the city, but now 35 minutes outside in a little barro called El Carmen(6 miles from Challubama)

noise is much less here.

Lets have a QSO one day...
HC5/WB4OZM
David

withoutego
  1/9/2017 08:56 EST

David

I am assuming you are not just operating portable....that you are a resident and have a unique HC5 call.

As a resident I am required to take the same path a citizen takes in getting on the air legally. The process explained to me at the Loja Radio Club required a cold start...the stateside license having no status at all.

Maybe the Cuenca club would be a better route. How often do they meet?

Glad to read that the noise level is down away from Cuenca. Seeing how the town is "wired" along the streets its not surprising how bad the QRM is. I should be ok here on the edge of Vilcabamba. Room for a long wire antenna too.

I would like to see how the propagation between here and Cuenca on 40 meters is. I enjoy working CW and building my own equipment. Looking forward to combining CW Morse with Spanish....that should wrench my ancient brain a bit.

73 - siengo aka KC1CCG (Maine)

Backdoc
  1/11/2017 11:09 EST

Yes, There is a very active Amateur Radio Club in Cuenca.

Backdoc HC4/w4bws

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