W5LK

In short, the Carnival Magic February 2013 "Ham Radio Cruise" was every ounce, a real success. We had 54 participants, which included approximately 5 XYL non amateurs. There were 3 folks who were forced to cancel at the last moment, due to health reasons... as well as at least 3 fellow amateurs aboard the Magic, who were non registrants among the 3500 fellow passengers.

Participation in radio operations was largely on a "first come, first served" basis... which generally worked very well. We often coordinated the efforts by using the simplex frequency 147.450 MHz, throughout the multiple deck levels of the ship.

For the most part, radio operations ran around the clock, generally following available propagation. Some operators kept PC logs, while others utilized a common logbook. To my knowledge, there is still no final tally of contacts... but appears there were well over 1000 contacts, which largely consisted of a mixture of brief "rag chews" and DX format contacts, yielding at least 45 nations worked.

During passage through the Florida Straits, I indeed was able to receive at least one Havana 2 meter repeater "full quieting", although owing to the mere 5 watts of my WOUXUN HT and limited skills with "Espanol", there was never a true 2-way exchange achieved... despite transmitting from well over 100' above the waterline, on the 12th deck, into a repeater in downtown Havana, atop a 35 story hotel.

As for the "future", it appears plans are already underway for a 2014 cruise to the western Caribbean.

73s - W5LK

In concurrence with many of the previous posts on this subject, many cruise lines forbid "amateur radio operations".

HOWEVER, after many months of considerable arrangements being made (in writing), with Carnival Cruise Lines, the Houston, Texas area travel agency, "My Pin Money" has gotten approval for their 2nd "Ham Radio Cruise", departing Galveston on February 10, 2013 aboard the Carnival Magic.

HF operations will include 2 Kenwood TS480HX (200 watt) radios, using 2 mobile, "tunable" antennas, mounted on the 10th deck, external railing.

To participate, personal documentation requires: Copy of Amateur License, International Amateur Radio License - (IARP, an OAS document obtained from ARRL), and Passport.http://www.arrl.org/iarp

The only "personal" amateur radio equipment allowed will be "HT" type equipment, which ALSO requires a written authorization from the captain (all arranged through the above travel agency).

ALSO; given the Carnival Magic will be transiting the Florida Straits during this event... we should likely be in range of several Cuban 2 meter repeaters. (Cuba has no 440 repeaters). After considerable research, I've posted a listing such repeaters on: http://www.flysouth.org/cuba.htm