Equitorial Guinea cancels Ham licenses

[EAFrizzle]

Interesting. I wonder what exactly was "accessed" by this rogue HF rig?

Linky

 

[KJ4DHF]

3C0W - cancelled (DXCC: Annobon, IOTA: AF-039)

 

[AK9R]

From the article:

The decision was adopted in a meeting chaired by the Vice President of the Republic in charge of Defense and State Security, H.E. Nguema Obiang Mangue, together with the Prime Minister and representatives from the sectors of Security, Defense, Finance, Transport, Treasury, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Office (ORTEL). The suspension stems from a breach in the established protocols for granting licenses.

The measure was taken following the discovery of a case in which a foreign national, operating as a radio amateur, accessed sensitive areas such as Annobón and Batete using unauthorized telecommunications equipment. This individual had obtained licenses in 2018 and again in 2025, paying a total of 531,000 F.CFA, without proper verification of the equipment’s legality or the compliance of the assigned frequencies with national regulations.

 

[EAFrizzle]

I get the feeling this might be a case of whackerism.

 

[WB5UOM]

Well, if one reads news about that area, the fine government has shut off internet to the folk on the island for about a year now.

 

[EAFrizzle]

What's the party line? "Security concerns" or "infrastructure problems"?

I'm amazed that some of these countries ever accepted amateur radio post-WW2.

 

[GlobalNorth]

"Show me the man and I’ll find you the crime" - Beria.

 

[trentbob]

Interesting. I wonder what exactly was "accessed" by this rogue HF rig?

Linky

The vice president of the country who is also the Secretary of Defense made reference to security measures. As has been mentioned.

They had a radio show on a shortwave radio station which focused on cultural affairs and it was was shut down in 2012. This is a very very poor country with hunger, poor services and frequent blackouts.

Sounds like your garden variety Banana Republic. I wonder how many people are affected as I would think you would need some kind of wealth to have a Radio setup. I wonder if anyone has made contact with this country and if there are any qsl cards out there?

What's the party line? "Security concerns" or "infrastructure problems"?

I'm amazed that some of these countries ever accepted amateur radio post-WW2.

This country was controlled by Spain until 1968 when they gained independence.

"Show me the man and I’ll find you the crime" - Beria.

Excellent quote and I think you're right on the money, often these Banana Republic dictatorships are very similar to Stalin's regime.

Here's an oddball bit of information.. in a non AI article about obtaining a license in Equatorial Guinea, I guess written before the ban, it says, there are 29 licensed ham radio operators.

Morse code was required at one time but that requirement was lifted, 29 licenses?

 

[EAFrizzle]

I wonder when the last time someone logged one of them was?



"The measure was taken following the discovery of a case in which a foreign national, operating as a radio amateur, accessed sensitive areas such as Annobón and Batete using unauthorized telecommunications equipment."

I'd bet an Arizona Iced Tea that someone with a CCR started kerchunking army repeaters. 🤣

 

[alcahuete]

I wonder if anyone has made contact with this country and if there are any qsl cards out there?

I got 3C3CA in August 2023. Confirmed on QRZ and LOTW. Not sure if I have a paper QSL.

 

[bolo928]

3C3CA is Ersoy, TA2OM. He has returned to Turkey.

The recent activation of 3C3W was Yuris YL2GM and Eugene EA5EL from September 1st to the 5th. I was able to work them on 17m FT8 and 20m CW.

They flew to Annobon Island on September 7th to operate as 3COW then the drama ensued about their license. They left on September 12 to return home.

I don't collect QSL cards but have Equatorial Guinea confirmed in Logbook of the World.

 

[trentbob]

3C3CA is Ersoy, TA2OM. He has returned to Turkey.

The recent activation of 3C3W was Yuris YL2GM and Eugene EA5EL from September 1st to the 5th. I was able to work them on 17m FT8 and 20m CW.

They flew to Annobon Island on September 7th to operate as 3COW then the drama ensued about their license. They left on September 12 to return home.

I don't collect QSL cards but have Equatorial Guinea confirmed in Logbook of the World.

View attachment 189995

Very cool, and from Allentown PA!

 

[AK9R]

Equitorial Guinea is 126th on the Club Log list of most wanted DXCC entities. Sounds like making amateur radio contact to that country hasn't been all that rare in the past.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

the crooked govt is silencing dissent.

Equatorial Guinea enforces yearlong internet outage for island that protested construction company

Residents of Annobón island in Equatorial Guinea have faced severe internet outages since complaining about dynamite explosions by a Moroccan construction company.

apnews.com