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THE AM BULLETIN BOARD => QSO => Topic started by: k4kyv on March 31, 2009, 01:57:32 AM



Title: Amateur Radio in Somalia
Post by: k4kyv on March 31, 2009, 01:57:32 AM
Somalia is in a virtual state of chaos with no functioning government for decades and pirates attacking international shipping off the Horn of Africa, but the present government is trying to exert control over the country.  Believe it or not, they have established an amateur radio service!  Their regulations are interesting, and even include an "amateur broadcasting service":  :-\

To increase knowledge in broadcast technology needed in Somalia’s development, additional frequencies outside the normal two way communication international amateur bands have been assigned to all Amateur Radio Licenses permitting some amateur radio operations to be easily received by the general public...

Broadcasting of all types of program material (for example technical free courses covering electronics) using Music (for example local music or chants not covered by copyright), Voice and Data is permitted provided...

...That it be confined to the following frequency bands:

  1.600 to 1.700 MHz Mawjada Dhexe (Medium Wave).
25.900 to 26.100 MHz Mawjada Gaaban (Short Wave).
88.000 to 108.000 MHz Hirka Aadka Usareeya (Very High Frequency).


They have a more sensible power limit than what we have in the US.  Unfortunately electricity in very scarce, since the infrastructure has been almost completely wiped out during years of fighting.

SSB Power level shall not exceed 3 kilowatts output mean carrier power for un-modulated AM, FM, CW and data or 3 kilowatts (3000 Watts) peak output power for SSB.

Their translation is a little awkward.  From what I can make out, this should read:

Power level shall not exceed 3 kilowatts mean un-modulated carrier output power for AM, FM, CW and data or 3 kilowatts (3000 Watts) peak output power for SSB.


Maybe the person who helped them write their regulations is an AM'er. 

https://sites.google.com/site/somaliahamradio/somalia-amateur-radio-regulations





Title: Re: Amateur Radio in Somalia
Post by: N3DRB The Derb on March 31, 2009, 02:58:05 AM
A: I'd be a bit worried that any owners of a transmitter would be killed after being accused of favoring some faction or another and all the radio loot ripped off after the former owners have assumed GROTESQUE POSTURES of DEATH.

B: repeat A for new owners of said transmitter.

and over, and over, again, some more, do it again......


no tanks.



Title: Re: Amateur Radio in Somalia
Post by: k4kyv on March 31, 2009, 04:25:46 PM


no tanks.



Actually, there are plenty of tanks, or at least the carcasses thereof.  But very few tubes and components to build a 3 kw radio station or electricity to run it with.  Just as the State Dep't has said that civilian travel to Mogadishu at this time is roughly equivalent to suicide, I suspect so is operating any kind of radio station within the territory of Somalia.


Title: Re: Amateur Radio in Somalia
Post by: Ed/KB1HYS on March 31, 2009, 05:48:30 PM
Maybe they just run pirate radio stations...  ::)
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