Amateur Radio Activity in Central America and the Caribbean (Current Snapshot)

Prepared 9 Jan. 2026. Scope: sovereign states in Central America and the Caribbean (island Caribbean). This is a practical “activity snapshot” oriented around (1) national amateur-radio organizations, (2) publicly listed VHF/UHF repeater infrastructure, and (3) typical regional operating patterns.

Primary data sources
IARU Member Societies listings1, repeater directories2 and regional repeater compilations3. A national VHF/UHF listing is also referenced where available4.
Interpretation
Directory listings are conservative indicators: they usually undercount HF activity and informal/temporary systems, and they may lag real-world changes. All directory-based statements should be treated as “as listed” on the access date.

Regional overview

Across Central America and the Caribbean, amateur radio remains a blend of local VHF/UHF coordination (often via repeaters) and international HF operating (DX, contests, and digital modes). Island geography and mountainous terrain drive strong reliance on repeaters and, increasingly, internet-linked systems where connectivity exists.

The most operationally consequential driver remains natural hazards (hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, seismic events): many national societies and clubs emphasize readiness, message handling, and rapid deployment of portable stations.

Central America country profiles

Belize Central America

National society
Belize Amateur Radio Club (BARC) 67
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: V31DL (President, Dr. Andre T. Scholz).
Activity snapshot
  • Small but organized national community; strong presence of visiting/portable operators due to tourism and marine activity.
  • VHF/UHF infrastructure is primarily local/regional; repeaters are publicly listed in online directories.

Guatemala Central America

National society
Club de Radioaficionados de Guatemala (CRAG) 89
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: TG9AFX (President, Christian Flores).
Activity snapshot
  • Active club structure and multi-band operating from major population centers (e.g., Guatemala City).
  • Publicly listed VHF/UHF repeaters support local ragchews and emergency preparedness.

Honduras Central America

National society
Radio Club de Honduras (RCH) 1011
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: HR2PQ (President, Oscar Armando Rivera).
Activity snapshot
  • Mixed HF and VHF activity with emphasis on practical communications and community support.
  • Repeaters are listed in public directories and concentrated near key cities and transport corridors.

El Salvador Central America

National society
Club de Radio Aficionados de El Salvador (CRAS) 1213
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: YS1MS (listed phone contact; club officers include YS1MS/YS1RS).
Activity snapshot
  • Compact geography favors VHF/UHF coverage; local repeater use supports coordination and training.
  • HF activity includes DX and regional contacts; emergency communications is a recurring use-case.

Nicaragua Central America

National society
Club de Radio-Experimentadores de Nicaragua (CREN) 1415
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: YN1J (President, Juan de la Cruz Rodriguez).
Activity snapshot
  • A smaller national footprint with activity focused around Managua and regional centers.
  • Public repeater listings indicate continuing VHF/UHF infrastructure; HF operations are often the most visible internationally.

Costa Rica Central America

National society
Radio Club de Costa Rica (RCCR) 1617
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: TI2HAS (President, Hugo Soto).
Activity snapshot
  • Well-established club culture; consistent HF and VHF activity from San José and surrounding highlands.
  • Repeaters and linked systems support routine operating and emergency coordination.

Panama Central America

National society
Liga Panameña de Radioaficionados (LPRA) 1819
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: HP4BQS (President, Dowgert Sabin).
Activity snapshot
  • Strategic geography (canal, maritime traffic) supports sustained interest in practical communications and HF DX.
  • Public repeater listings indicate continuing VHF/UHF activity across key population centers.

Caribbean country profiles

Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean

National society
Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Radio Society (ABARS) 20213
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: V21JM (President, Fitzmorris Martin).
Activity snapshot
  • Island geography favors VHF/UHF for local coordination; HF is prominent for inter-island and DX contacts.
  • Caribbean repeater directories provide concrete examples of active infrastructure.

Bahamas Caribbean

National society
Bahamas Amateur Radio Society (BARS) 2223
Example
National society is listed by IARU; repeaters are documented in public directories.
Activity snapshot
  • Geographic spread across many islands drives a mix of HF and VHF/UHF operations.
  • Repeater directory listings indicate ongoing local infrastructure.

Barbados Caribbean

National society
Amateur Radio Society of Barbados (ARSB) 243
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: 8P5AA (President, Corey H. W. Carrington).
Activity snapshot
  • Steady local VHF/UHF operation typical of small island states; HF activity includes DX and contest participation.
  • Caribbean repeater listings provide example repeater frequencies and usage patterns.

Cuba Caribbean

National society
Federación de Radioaficionados de Cuba (FRC) 255
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: CO2TZ (President, Iraldis Vidal Avila).
Activity snapshot
  • Large national amateur population relative to the region; activity spans HF, VHF/UHF, and organized events.
  • FRC is the principal organizing body for country-wide activity, including training, coordination, and on-air events.

Dominica Caribbean

National society
Dominica Amateur Radio Club Inc. (DARCI) 263
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: J73CPL (President, Pierre-Louis Clement).
Activity snapshot
  • Small but continuous activity; local repeaters enable island-wide coordination where terrain allows.
  • Caribbean repeater directories provide examples of active repeater frequencies.

Dominican Republic Caribbean

National society
Radio Club Dominicano (RCD) 27284
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: HI8RG (President, Ruben Gonzalez).
Activity snapshot
  • Among the most active Caribbean jurisdictions by population; substantial VHF/UHF infrastructure and active HF operators.
  • A national repeater list and RepeaterBook both provide examples of current repeater activity.

Grenada Caribbean

National society
Grenada Amateur Radio Club (GARC) 293
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: J39DE (President, Reuben Pursoo).
Activity snapshot
  • Small but organized amateur presence; HF DX and local VHF are typical.
  • Caribbean repeater directories provide example repeaters for the island.

Haiti Caribbean

National society
Radio Club d’Haiti (RCH) 3031
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: HH2JR (President, Patrick Almonor).
Activity snapshot
  • Activity level varies with infrastructure conditions; organized amateur radio remains a key resilience capability.
  • Public repeater listings indicate continuing VHF/UHF presence; HF is also used for longer-haul communications.

Jamaica Caribbean

National society
Jamaica Amateur Radio Association (JARA) 3233
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: 6Y5HN (President, Nigel Hoyow).
Activity snapshot
  • Consistent multi-band activity with a visible club structure; VHF repeaters support local operations and training.
  • Repeater directory listings provide concrete examples of active infrastructure.

Saint Kitts and Nevis Caribbean

National society
St. Kitts-Nevis Amateur Radio Society (SKNARS) 343
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: V44KHR (President, Roosevelt Howe).
Activity snapshot
  • Small-island activity with repeaters and HF capability; active during regional events and visiting operations.
  • Caribbean repeater directories provide example repeater frequencies.

Saint Lucia Caribbean

National society
No IARU member society entry located on the IARU Member Societies page as of access date. 353
Example
Local activity is evidenced through Caribbean repeater listings and regular DX operations under the J6 prefix.
Activity snapshot
  • Activity is typically centered on local VHF/UHF coordination plus HF DX/portable operation.
  • Caribbean repeater directories provide concrete examples of VHF/UHF infrastructure.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Caribbean

National society
St. Vincent & the Grenadines Amateur Radio Club (SVGARC) 36373
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: J85K (President, Kumar Persaud).
Activity snapshot
  • Small-island operations with both HF and VHF; repeaters and nets support local coordination.
  • Public repeater listings exist in RepeaterBook and other Caribbean directories.

Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean

National society
Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio Society (TTARS) 3839
Example
IARU-listed officer callsign: 9Y4JAG (President, Bramie Maharaj).
Activity snapshot
  • Large, active amateur community relative to the region; strong VHF/UHF footprint plus HF contesting/DX.
  • RepeaterBook listings provide examples of current repeater infrastructure.

Notes and sources (MLA)

  1. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies.” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  2. “About RepeaterBook.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  3. “Caribbean Repeaters.” Ham Info Projects (J69DS) at QSL.net, QSL.net, https://www.qsl.net/j69ds/repeaters.html. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  4. “VHF / UHF.” Sociedad Dominicana de Radioaficionados (SDRA), SDRA, https://sdra.com.do/vhf-uhf/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  5. “Federación de Radioaficionados de Cuba (FRC) – Sitio oficial.” FRCuba, Federación de Radioaficionados de Cuba, https://www.frcuba.cu. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  6. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Belize entry (BARC)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  7. RepeaterBook. “Belize Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/index.php?state_id=BZ. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  8. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Guatemala entry (CRAG)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  9. RepeaterBook. “Guatemala Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/index.php?state_id=GT. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  10. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Honduras entry (RCH)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  11. RepeaterBook. “Honduras Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=HN. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  12. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for El Salvador entry (CRAS)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  13. RepeaterBook. “El Salvador Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=SV. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  14. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Nicaragua entry (CREN)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  15. RepeaterBook. “Nicaragua Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=NI. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  16. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Costa Rica entry (RCCR)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  17. RepeaterBook. “Costa Rica Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=CR. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  18. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Panama entry (LPRA)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  19. RepeaterBook. “Panama Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=PA. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  20. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Antigua & Barbuda entry (ABARS)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  21. RepeaterBook. “Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=AG. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  22. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Bahamas entry (BARS)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  23. RepeaterBook. “Bahamas Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=BS. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  24. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Barbados entry (ARSB)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  25. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Cuba entry (FRC)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  26. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Dominica entry (DARCI)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  27. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Dominican Republic entry (RCD)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  28. RepeaterBook. “Dominican Republic Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=DO. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  29. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Grenada entry (GARC)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  30. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Haiti entry (RCH)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  31. RepeaterBook. “Haiti Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=HT. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  32. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Jamaica entry (JARA)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  33. RepeaterBook. “Jamaica Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/index.php?state_id=JM. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  34. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for St. Kitts & Nevis entry (SKNARS)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  35. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies.” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, Checked for Saint Lucia entry, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  36. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for St. Vincent & the Grenadines entry (SVGARC)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  37. RepeaterBook. “Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=VC. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  38. International Amateur Radio Union. “Member Societies (entry for Trinidad & Tobago entry (TTARS)).” IARU, International Amateur Radio Union, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return
  39. RepeaterBook. “Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio Repeaters.” RepeaterBook, RepeaterBook, https://www.repeaterbook.com/row_repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=TT. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026. Return