SDRA Educates
One of the main objectives of our organization is the training of new radio amateurs, through this section we intend to guide and orient people interested in amateur radio, willing to learn and become radio amateurs.
We intend this tool to be useful to motivate and awaken the interest of new radio amateurs.
Amateur radio is a hobby and a service that brings people, electronics and communication together.
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the official definition is the Amateur Service and establishes it as "Radiocommunication service for the purpose of individual instruction, intercommunication and technical studies, carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technology on an exclusively personal and non-profitbasis".
While hams get involved in the hobby for different reasons, they all share a knowledge of technology and operating principles. Communication and experimentation are the main purposes sought by hams around the world.
Hams can communicate from the top of a mountain, your home or behind the wheel of your car, all without relying on the Internet or a cell phone network. You can take the radio wherever you go! In times of disaster, when regular communications channels fail, hams can spring into action assisting emergency communications efforts and working with public service agencies.
You can communicate with other operators using your voice and a microphone, interface a radio with your computer or tablet to send data, text or images, or Morse code, which is still incredibly popular. You can even talk to astronauts aboard the International Space Station, talk to other operators through one of several satellites in space, or bounce signals off the moon and back to Earth!
Some hams like to build and experiment with electronics. Computer hobbyists enjoy using communication opportunities in digital modes. Others compete in "DX contests," where the goal is to see how many contacts in distant locations they can make. Mostly we use ham radio to form friendships over the air or through participation in ham radio clubs around the world.
Every amateur radio station has a call sign or call sign by which it identifies itself. The prefixes of these call signs have been assigned worldwide by the International Telecommunication Union. For example, the call signs whose first letters are AA, AL, K, N or W belong to the United States of America, as well as the call signs KP4, identify the island of Puerto Rico, and the prefixes YV describe our colleagues in Venezuela.
In our country, the prefixes are HI, which stands for Hispaniola, followed by a numeral, from 0 to 9 according to the geographic zone, as explained in Art. 13.1 of the Amateur Radio Service Regulations.
If you are interested in learning more about the amateur radio world or want to start the process of becoming one, use the Contact Us form and send us your information so we can help you.
In the meantime, we recommend that you take advantage of the material contained in this page.
Amateur radio services in the Dominican Republic are covered by the following laws and regulations:
1. General Telecommunications Law No. 153-98.
2. Resolution No.129-2023 of INDOTEL which contains the Regulations for the Amateur Radio Service.
And in the Amateur Radio Manuals:
These manuals are the study guide for each of the categories. You can click on the links to download.
Pursuant to Article 5 and following of Resolution No. 092-2020 which approves the Regulations for the Amateur Radio Service, any person interested in operating the Amateur Radio Service must request INDOTEL to register in the corresponding Special Registry, as established in the Regulations. The registration in the Special Registry constitutes the license or authorization required to operate such service in the Dominican Republic and authorizes its holder to own, install or operate equipment or Amateur Radio Stations, in the authorized bands, according to the category of the registration; except in the case of special events for those organizations when applicable.
The categories for Special Registration Entries for Amateur Radio will be:
a) Novice Category, with a duration of 1 year, non-renewable. After three (3) months in this category may be examined for promotion to Technical Category.
b) Technical Category, with a renewable term of 5 years.
c) General Category, with a renewable term of 10 years.
b) Superior Category, for a term of 10 years, renewable.
Requirements for requesting Registration in the Special Registry for the Operation of the Amateur Radio Service.
Any person interested in operating the amateur radio service in the Dominican Republic, must by means of a written communication in one original and two (2) copies request the Executive Director of INDOTEL, to proceed with the registration in the Special Registry and to issue in its favor the corresponding Certificate of Registration. Said communication must be written in Spanish or translated into Spanish by a court interpreter of the Dominican Republic. The same must be signed by the applicant or an attorney-in-fact of the latter, in which case, said request must be accompanied by a copy of the power of attorney granted before a Notary Public and legalized by the Attorney General's Office of the Republic.
a ) Dominican natural persons:
- Certificate of good conduct issued by the competent Magistrate Prosecutor.
- Two (2) 2×2 front view photos
- Copy of identity card and voter's registration card
- Affidavit Form duly completed and signed by the interested party, which is available at INDOTEL's offices and on the web page of said Regulatory Body. www.indotel.gob.do y,
- In case of renewal, copy of the previous license or certificate of registration, as the case may be.
- Letter of request for registration in the Special Registry for the Amateur Radio Service, addressed to the Executive Directorate of INDOTEL.
b) Foreign individuals residing in the country:
- Certificate of good conduct issued by the competent Public Prosecutor.
- Two (2) 2×2 front view photos
- Copy of valid passport issued by the country of your nationality.
- Copy of residency card issued by the Dirección General de Migración.
- Affidavit form duly completed and signed by the interested party, and,
- In case of reciprocity agreement, copy of the current license issued in the country of origin or copy of the previous license or certificate of registration, in case of renewal.
- Letter of request for registration in the Special Registry for the Amateur Radio Service, addressed to the Executive Directorate of INDOTEL.
c) Foreign natural persons with temporary stay in the country (portable HI):
- Copy of valid passport
- Two (2) 2×2 front view photos
- Copy of the current amateur radio license issued in the country of origin and,
- Affidavit form duly completed and signed by the interested party.
- Letter of request for registration in the Special Registry for the Amateur Radio Service, addressed to the Executive Directorate of INDOTEL.
If you are interested in obtaining your amateur radio license, use the Contact Us form and share your information, we will gladly help you.
Once you have obtained your Registration in the Special Registry for the Amateur Radio Service , you will be able to operate the modes allowed in the bands and frequencies designated for each category.
Amateur radio operators registered in the novice category shall have the right to operate stations under the following conditions:
(a) Operate with equipment of up to 100 watts of maximum output power from the final amplifier in the HF band and up to 50 watts of maximum input power to the antenna feed line in the VHF band, in the segments allocated for the Amateur Radio service in the National Frequency Allocation Plan.
(b) To operate in the frequency bands authorized for the amateur radio service of this category:
| Band | Range | Mode |
| 80 Mts | From 3,500 KHz to 3,725 KHz | Telegraphy or digital modes |
| 40 Mts | From 7,000 KHz to 7,125 KHz | Telephony, Telegraphy or digital modes |
| 15 Mts | From 21,000 KHz to 21,200 KHz | Telegraphy or digital modes |
| 10 Mts | From 28,000 KHz to 28,300 KHz | Telegraphy or digital modes |
| 2 Mts | From 144 MHz to 148 MHz | In all modes |
Radio amateurs who have been registered in the technical category shall have the following powers:
(a) To operate fixed stations in the frequency band authorized for the amateur radio service for this category.
(b) To operate fixed stations in VHF and in the bands between 144 to 148 and 220 to 225 MHz and in the UHF band in the frequencies assigned in the .
(c) To install a fixed station and a mobile station. For both the fixed station and the mobile station, the amateur radio operator must declare in his inventory the equipment forming them.
(d) To install a fixed station with:
I. Equipment up to 1,000 watts maximum output power of the final amplifier in the HF band.
II. Equipment up to 75 watts maximum input power to the antenna feed line in the VHF and UHF band in the segments allocated for
the Amateur Radio service in the National Frequency Allocation Plan for the Amateur service.
(e) Install and operate a mobile station with:
I. Equipment up to 250 watts maximum power output from the final amplifier in the HF band.
II. Equipment up to 75 watts maximum power at the input of the feed line in the VHF and UHF band in the segments allocated for the Amateur Radio service in the National Frequency Allocation Plan for the Amateur service.
The radio amateurs who are in possession of a General and Superior category Registration shall have the following powers:
(a) Operate in all frequency bands authorized for the amateur radio service.
(b) Install a fixed station and a mobile station. For both the fixed station and the mobile station, the amateur radio operator must declare in its inventory the equipment that makes them up.
(c) Install and operate in the fixed station:
I. Equipment up to 1,500 watts maximum output power of the final amplifier in the HF band.
II. Equipment of up to 100 watts maximum input power to the antenna feed line in the VHF band from 144 to 148 and 220 to 225 MHz and in the UHF band in the frequencies allocated in the National Frequency Allocation Plan for the Amateur service.
III. Exceptionally, those working in emergency situations may use up to 300 watts and for moon bounce may use a power of up to 1200 watts in the VHF band and with antennas of high directivity and gain.
(d) Install and operate in the mobile station:
I. Equipment up to 750 watts maximum output power from the final amplifier in the HF band.
II. Equipment up to 100 watts maximum input power to the antenna feed line in the VHF 144 to 148 MHz and 220 to 225 MHz band and in the UHF band on frequencies allocated in the PNAF for the Amateur service.
(e) To carry out, for experimental purposes, emissions of the particular type of modulation indicated in the respective standards.
(f) To install and operate stations of the Amateur Radio Satellite Service.
(g) To install and operate Amateur Radio stations for moon bounce experience with the technical characteristics established in the respective standard.
Now that we have our registration and know where we can operate the question arises, what do I need to go on air?
If you are registered in the Novice category, you can start with a VHF equipment to operate in the 2 mts band, since it is the one that gives you the easiest installation, here we tell you what equipment you need to communicate, we have divided them into three parts:
The vast majority, but not all, of radio communicators are powered by 12 volts, as this gives the possibility of mobile use in a vehicle and has become the standard.
To use a radio communicator of these only a 12v power supply with sufficient amperage to support the consumption of this is necessary.
So, to simplify the process, here are some general guidelines for choosing the right size power supply for your radio.
- Use the radio manufacturer's ampere rating as a rule of thumb.
- Use the maximum (transmit) load rating of the radio, not the receive or typical consumption.
- If you connect multiple radios, add the total amps of all radios during the combined maximum load.
- Choose a power supply based on continuous rating, NOT on maximum or surge rating.
- Choose a power supply with a maximum continuous ampere rating considerably higher than the maximum ampere draw of the radio.
- Consider the difference between a linear (regulated) and a switching power supply.
- Choose a power supply with a built-in cooling fan
- Stay with a power supply from a trusted brand-name manufacturer.
- Consider the warranty, as power supplies have a shelf life.
- DO NOT purchase a power supply based on price alone.
For example, suppose you have a 50 watt radio and the maximum draw is listed at 10 amps. Buying a power supply advertised with a maximum load of 10 amps could still be a bad decision.
First, power supplies have two ampere ratings: continuous and maximum. The continuous rating is usually the number you want to look for. Also consider the load. If a power supply is under a constant load that is near its maximum, it will generate more heat and that can shorten the life of the unit. For that reason, it is good practice to buy one with a built-in cooling fan.
Choosing a power supply is not really that complicated, although it may seem so at first. Simply put, to turn your two-way mobile radio into a base station, we recommend that you buy a higher amperage power supply than is absolutely necessary. When it comes to power, you can't overbuy. When in doubt, go bigger. At the end of the day, you'll be glad you did.
However, if the radio you have or purchase is a handheld radio, you can use the built-in battery.
There are several types of radio communicators, including handheld, vehicle portable and base radios, varying in functions, price and quality.
For starters, we suggest a 2 meter portable car radio, which has more power and can be placed on your desk or somewhere in your home.
The cost of new equipment ranges from $175 to $700 dollars, but used equipment appears much lower, we recommend that if you are going to buy a new one, choose a quality one, consider it an investment.
Look for equipment that has the following characteristics:
- Transmitting frequency range 144 to 148 MHz, receiving frequency range 118 to 174 MHz.
- 50 watts of power
- 100 memories
- CTCSS and DCS Encoder
- 13.8v power supply
If you want to start with a handheld radio, prices range from $32 to $700 dollars, the disadvantage of this type of equipment is the power output, it is not more than 8 Watts.
If you choose this option, look for equipment with the following features:
- Transmitting frequency range 144 to 148 MHz, receiving frequency range 118 to 174 MHz.
- 5 watts of power
- 100 memories
- CTCSS and DCS Encoder
- Battery and charger included
In both cases the radio can be Dual Band, that is, it can have both VHF and UHF range. Although as a novice you are only allowed to use VHF, when you change category you can use the other.
The antenna system is composed of the antenna and the coaxial feed cable, for the antenna we have several suggestions, among them you can buy one already made or build it yourself,
The reference antenna would be a vertical omnidirectional antenna, installed on the roof of the house, costing about $80, of the ¼ or ⅝ wavelength ground plane type, or a J-Pole, which is ½ wavelength.
There are also other models of vertical omnidirectional base antennas that are called collinear, meaning that they consist of several sections of ¼ λ one on top of the other, which being in phase produce much more gain than a simple ground plane.
You may want to build your own antenna, as part of the experimentation and learning process, there are several designs you can make, the simplest is the J-Pole, which takes materials easily available at hardware stores, the M0UKD website has a calculator for the J-pole antenna, with the diagram to make it. The materials to use are recommended aluminum or copper, but some have made it with steel conduit pipe, with excellent results.
Both antennas can be installed in a low altitude tube on the roof of the house, or if you live in an apartment without access to the roof you can easily put it outside through a window. If you have access to the roof it would be much better, but we always do our best.
The antenna is connected to the radio communicator via a coaxial cable, whose characteristic impedance is 50Ω (ohms).
There are several types of 50Ω coaxial, among the most common are the RG58, whose diameter is 5mm that serves well for short distances, widely used in vehicle installations, the other is the RG213, whose diameter is 10.3mm that serves very well for fixed installations.
There are other criteria when choosing a coaxial cable to feed an antenna, since, among others, the transfer loss, the distance to be covered, power to be handled, etc. must be considered. For the moment we will only concentrate on these cable models.
This cable is terminated at both ends with a PL-259 connector that connects one end to the antenna and the other end to the radio.
Now let's see a little bit about propagation, that is, the way and conditions in which our signal leaves our station, is refracted in the ionosphere and then returns to earth.
Since radio communication is carried by electromagnetic waves traveling through the earth's atmosphere, it is useful to know something about the characteristics of the waves and the way in which their behavior is influenced by conditions during their journey from transmitter to receiver. While knowledge of propagation is not entirely essential for one who wishes to install an effective antenna, a few details must be understood before the principles of antenna design can be properly applied. Although an antenna radiates applied power with a high degree of efficiency, if that power does not travel to the desired receiver point but goes somewhere else, the antenna is failing.
THE IONOSPHERE
The ionosphere is a set of zones located between 60 km and 600 km above sea level, where the air is ionized, mainly due to solar activity. This happens because there is a large amount of ions and free electrons in this area, which greatly influences the propagation of electromagnetic waves. (Remember that ionization consists of an atom losing or gaining an electron).
In this zone of the atmosphere there is a great quantity of gases and the impact that produce in the atoms the cosmic rays and ultraviolet radiations tear off some electron leaving them turned into positive ions, The conditions of propagation of the radiations are excellent in the high layers of the atmosphere and to them arrive with facility the ultraviolet radiations of the Sun.
When ionization has taken place, the ions and free electrons that have formed collide and recombine with each other incessantly; a positive ion has the tendency to leave its structure stable by recovering the missing electron or electrons, but this process continues uninterrupted because the radiations continue to reach all areas of the atmosphere (especially the ionosphere).
Ionization is not constant or equal at all points of the ionosphere, it is influenced by the rotation of the Earth, the formation of sunspots, solar flares and, above all, the amount of radiation that arrives depending on whether it is day or night. What is important is the ionization density, i.e. the number of ions per unit volume, since the propagation of waves depends on this.
Radiation does not penetrate with the same intensity in all areas of the atmosphere, because while the upper layers are fully reached by all the radiation, only a small percentage of it reaches the lower layers.
In the upper part of the ionosphere, although the ionization is very large, so is the number of recombinations, so it undergoes significant variations. Each ion has a very short life time because it recombines immediately with one of the many electrons in its vicinity. Very little radiation reaches the lower part of the atmosphere because it has been absorbed and damped by the entire thickness of the atmosphere it has had to pass through.
Ionization will be more important in the central zone because although a little less radiation arrives than in the upper part, the ions formed last longer and this is more important for the propagation of electromagnetic waves.
In order to study it better, the area known as the ionosphere has been subdivided into several subzones or layers according to the distance separating them from the surface and the degree of ionization they contain.
Efforts have been made to unify the heights of the different layers as much as possible and the study starts from a considerable margin of kilometers between one layer and another.
D layer
The layer closest to the troposphere is the D layer, which ranges from 20 to 80 km although its central value is approximately around 60 km. Here the ionization is very small and comes only from very intense solar radiation, which means that, in practice, it exists only during the day when the Sun radiates the most energy on the Earth's surface. During the night this layer hardly exists and has no practical use. It is of very little importance because, being at very low altitudes, it practically covers the same distance as the tropospheric waves and is used for the propagation of long waves.
E-layer
Above 80 and up to 140 km (average value 100 km) the E-layer allows electromagnetic waves to be returned up to a distance of 2,000 km from the point of origin. The maximum propagation takes place during the day, but does not undergo a total cancellation during the night, although its influence is then greatly reduced. This layer is important for practical purposes of medium wave conduction.
F layer
The F layer, which is the most important, has average heights between 180 and 600 km. The D and E layers almost disappear during the night, especially the former, but not the latter, since the difference between day and night or the seasons affect it only in a change of thickness, ionization density and height with respect to the ground. During sunlight hours, the F layer subdivides into two other layers, called F1 and F2. The lower one, F1, moves between 180 and 300 km during the day and rises during the night. The seasons also have an influence, depending on the season in which we are, we receive more or less direct solar radiation and this implies a variation. Although its height varies, it always remains above the E layer. At the end of the day, the two sub-layers F1 and F2 recombine again to form the F layer.
This layer is the one that uses the short wave in its long distance travels.
The propagation varies with the different frequencies and also with the ionization of the atmosphere, the height of the Heaviside layers or clouds, and the hours of the day and night and therefore the following is an idea of the average conditions for each band in our area without this representing the real response in all cases.
160 METER BAND: During daylight hours it is usable only for very short distances - During the night it is possible to make contacts at distances between 1500 and 2000 Km. and in cases of minimum solar activity long distances are achieved. It is a band with a high noise level which makes communication difficult. Maximum performance is achieved from sunset to 30 minutes after sunset and in the morning from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunrise.
80 METER BAND: It is a band whose highest performance is during the night hours but during the day the reflection in the E layer allows communications up to a distance of 800 to 1000 Km. During periods of maximum solar activity it has a high noise level and its maximum performance is achieved during one hour before sunrise and another hour after sunset.
40 METER BAND: During daylight hours the reflection of the E layer allows communications up to 2000 Km. But during the night its range is very large and we can say that any station that is in the night zone can contact another in the same situation. It has a high noise level during periods of maximum solar activity and its maximum performance is during one hour before and after sunset.
20 METER BAND: It is a band that usually remains open 24 hours a day and allows communication over long distances, making it the ideal band for worldwide communications. In the periods of maximum solar activity, the high ionization of the D and E layers produces strong attenuations and during the summer it allows communications at very short distances but normally its zone of silence is from 0 to 500 Km. It must be taken into account for this band that its best performance is from 19 hours to 9 hours of the following day because the D and E layers have less ionization, in this way, the signal is reflected in the F layer which increases its communication distance.
15 METER BAND: It is a clearly diurnal band and only in periods of maximum solar activity it remains open in the early hours of the night. In periods of minimum solar activity it can remain closed all day and even several days and it must be taken into account that its jump distance is at least 1000 km.
10 METER BAND: It is an exclusively diurnal band and very affected by the solar cycles since during its maximum activity it allows communications at great distances with great ease; on the other hand, during the minimum activity it usually remains completely closed for weeks. In normal conditions of reflection its jump distance is very large and can be heard perfectly stations located 4000 km away and not being able to hear others closer. It is a band that almost touches the maximum reflection frequency so it requires the use of very low radiation angle antennas to achieve maximum performance.
6 METER BAND: All types of propagation are found in this band, both H.F. and V.H.F., and during cycles of maximum solar activity, communications of worldwide range are achieved and trans-equatorial range is very common by reflection in the F layer.
2 METER BAND: It is a band of tropospheric propagation so its signal does not reflect in the ionospheric layers, except in cases of auroras or high magnetic field disturbances frequent in summer that allow links up to 3000 km. It also allows communications by meteorite reflection of up to 2000 km but only for 20 or 30 seconds. It is a band where its best results are achieved during the summer.
0.70 METER BAND: In normal conditions its range is slightly lower than the 2 meter band, but since its frequency is higher, there is no noise produced by man's ingenuity and therefore its signals are very clean. Its propagation is tropospheric and somewhat better than the 2 meter band.
Now that you have the basic knowledge you can start communicating. Continue learning and training. You will see that once you start you will be captivated by the hobby of ham radio.
To assist you in the training process, below, we provide you with our Reviews for each category so that as you progress through the material you can evaluate your progress. These reviews can be taken as many times as you wish until you are completely satisfied with the results. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
For proper tracking of your progress, be sure to use a valid name and email address.
CLICK HERE to access the review for the Novice category.
CLICK HERE to access the review for the Technician category.
CLICK HERE to access the review for the General category.
If you are ready to start on the road to becoming a ham radio operator write to us at info@sdra.do and we will walk you through the process. You can also submit a request through our help desk.