BOCRA Two way radio Legalities

[taraleegoosen]

Technically, it's illegal to use a Radio in Botswana that is not licensed here. A two-way radio is considered a weapon of war (this law was put in place, when there were terrorist wars in neighbouring countries). All radios should carry a Botswana Communication Authority license (or a temporary one) and the fine for not having this is P20,000.

The problem in using your radios here, is the frequency channels. We in Maun have a Maun Neighbourhood watch and we have heard campers chatting to each other on this radio a few times.

I don't think this is highly regulated here though (the Botswana border posts are supposed to freeze your radio channels somehow on entry, but I don't think they have ever done that) – and think you’ll be okay provided you have an SA license. Not having ANY license, will land you in deep water here, so make sure your SA license is valid for your entire stay.

What you legally are required to do :
You need to apply for a temporary license (using a BOCRA application form, called a FREQUENCY APPLICATION FORM – which you download from the BOCRA website). After filling in your radio’s details, you email this form to one of the following email addresses :

TEBOGO KETSHABILE
Senior Engineer Spectrum Management
TEL: +267 368 5500(SB) +267 368 5566 (DD)
[email protected] ; www.bocra.org.bw

[email protected] or
[email protected] or
[email protected]

They say you should have this license within 5 - 7 working days from date of application.

To download the form : http://www.bocra.org.bw/sites/defaul...0LICENCE_0.pdf

Generally, they wont charge you anything for this depending on your length of stay and number of radios – but if they do, it should be around P168.

BOCRA :
T : +267 395 7755
F : +267 395 7976
E : [email protected] / [email protected]

[taraleegoosen]

** DIRK, please can you Pin this post ** thanks!

[Farmgirl]

Thank you Tara!

[mtbbiker]

I have sent a mail to BOCRA (info provided here) so that I this year can use my radios legally in our upcoming trip.

I have not yet receive any replies to my mails.

[Subok]

Subscribed

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

[taraleegoosen]

I have sent a mail to BOCRA (info provided here) so that I this year can use my radios legally in our upcoming trip.

I have not yet receive any replies to my mails.

Botswana has had a couple of public holidays this week (1st & 5th) so perhaps they will reply late. I suggest calling them on the phone to follow up.

[JGN]

I have had no response form Bocra for more than two weeks now.


Johan

[SamM]

In my experience the quickest wat to get a Bots licence is to get someone you know in Bots to submit the application on your behalf.

Sam
ZS1SAM
V5/ZS1SAM
www.sammnet.com

[mtbbiker]

In my experience the quickest wat to get a Bots licence is to get someone you know in Bots to submit the application on your behalf.

Sam
ZS1SAM
V5/ZS1SAM
www.sammnet.com

Hi Sam
Do you what is the correct application form to complete to use a VHF radio, ORRA frequencies?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hilux Jan]

My question, is a license also needed for a PMR 446Mhz radio with a range of 3-5km ?

[Russ Kellermann]

I have 2 Arial's on my truck which will be disconnected from the actual radio face / unit. I wont be carrying the units into bots, but is it ok if i still have my "dry" Aerials still atached to my vehicle, i dont want to uninstall them.

[Family_Dog]

Just remove the whips.


-F_D

[Fluffy]

My question, is a license also needed for a PMR 446Mhz radio with a range of 3-5km ?

Not if it is an unmofified ICASA approved PMR.

Range of a radio is very dependent on location and terrain. It is possible and common to get much greater ranges out of a PMR, >20km if both radios are on high points eg hill tops with no obstructions between them.

[Hilux Jan]

Thank You Fluffy !

[Hilux Jan]

My question, is a license also needed for a PMR 446Mhz radio with a range of 3-5km ?

You need a license for these radios. The correct person to communicate with is:





TEBOGO KETSHABILE


Senior Engineer Spectrum Management





BOTSWANA COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORYAUTHORITY


PLOT 50671, INDEPENDENCE AVENUE


PRIVATE BAG 00495, GABORONE, BOTSWANA


TEL: +267 368 5500(SB) +267 368 5566 (DD)


FAX: +267 395 7976


[email protected] ; www.bocra.org.bw



This will cost you BWP 168 including VAT, but the surprise comes when doing a international transfer. All included R612-00. Find attached banking details for BOCRA.

[PeetS]

You need a license for these radios. The correct person to communicate with is:





TEBOGO KETSHABILE


Senior Engineer Spectrum Management








BOTSWANA COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORYAUTHORITY


PLOT 50671, INDEPENDENCE AVENUE


PRIVATE BAG 00495, GABORONE, BOTSWANA


TEL: +267 368 5500(SB) +267 368 5566 (DD)


FAX: +267 395 7976


[email protected] ; www.bocra.org.bw



This will cost you BWP 168 including VAT, but the surprise comes when doing a international transfer. All included R612-00. Find attached banking details for BOCRA.

Jan, is this per vehicle, or for all the radios in your vehicle, or per Radio?

[Hilux Jan]

Sorry, the amount I mentioned was for two radios.

[Marcb]

Hi,

Regarding the (SA) licence-free 446 MHz radios (Zartek-758 for example), there are two contradictory answers in this thread in terms of the need for a licence in Botswana. I have emailed BOCRA for clarity, but since I am going there soon I can maybe get a quicker final answer from this forum. The tour operators will surely know something about this.

Thanks,

Marc.

[Marcb]

Well, this Mr Ketshabile is on the ball. I got my answer in less than 3 hours. You do need to licence these walkie-talkies. Pity, I'll have to leave them at home.

[Ritteling]

Hello - I had a response from them. You will need to fill in the attached form as well.

Thanks