Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the most resilient form of communication in a disaster: independent, worldwide, with its own emergency-radio community. In Switzerland you need an exam with OFCOM and a call sign for this – the entry level (HB3) is quite achievable.
HB3 or HB9? The two licence paths
In Switzerland there are two amateur-radio licence classes. The HB3 entry-level licence corresponds to the CEPT Novice licence (T/R 61-02) and is the fastest way into radio. The HB9 licence is the full CEPT/HAREC licence (T/R 61-01) and is widely recognised abroad.
Both exams are taken with OFCOM (Federal Office of Communications, Biel) – not by the clubs. The subjects examined are technology as well as regulations and operation. A Morse exam has not been compulsory for years and is only voluntary.
- HB3 (entry level): max. 50 W on VHF/UHF (2 m and 70 cm), max. 100 W on the shortwave bands 160 m, 80 m, 15 m and 10 m. Only commercial, unmodified devices.
- HB9 (full licence): access to all Swiss amateur bands, up to 1000 W (band/rule-dependent, often lower standard limits), self-building of devices permitted.
- For beginners: with HB3 you can already reach other continents on shortwave – the entry level is therefore not "light radio".
- Expert tip: the HB3→HB9 upgrade requires only the full technology exam; the regulations subject is identical for both classes and is waived on upgrading.
Understanding call signs
A Swiss call sign begins with the country prefix HB plus the class digit and an individual suffix (one to three letters), e.g. HB9XYZ.
- HB9 – full licence and club stations
- HB3 – entry-level licence
- HB4 – military amateur-radio stations
- HE9 – listening amateurs (SWL), assigned by the USKA
- Caution: HB0 belongs to Liechtenstein, not to Switzerland.
Simplex, repeaters and calling frequencies
In simplex operation two stations communicate directly on the same frequency – range roughly line of sight. A repeater is usually located high up, receives on one frequency and simultaneously retransmits on a second one (duplex). It thus connects even weak handheld devices over long distances.
In repeater operation your radio transmits with a frequency offset (shift). In IARU region 1 – so also in Switzerland – the offset is 600 kHz in the 2 m band and 7.6 MHz in the 70 cm band. Many repeaters additionally open only with an inaudible CTCSS sub-tone (e.g. 88.5 Hz).
- 2 m FM calling: 145.500 MHz – first nationwide point of contact on VHF
- 70 cm FM calling: 433.500 MHz – local to regional
- 2 m SSB calling: 144.300 MHz – greater distances without a repeater (HB9)
- For beginners: program the offset and the CTCSS tone of your local repeater correctly once – after that, just press the PTT button.
- Expert tip: emergency-radio traffic preferably runs over simplex, so as not to depend on the availability (power, location) of a repeater.
Emergency radio in Switzerland
The USKA (Union of Swiss Shortwave Amateurs, founded in 1929) is the national umbrella association with regional sections and represents around 3500 of about 5000 licensed radio amateurs. It coordinates emergency radio – radio links without a public power and telecom network – and trains for it.
- Repeater stations cover large parts of Switzerland; shortwave reaches other continents without any infrastructure.
- Ranges are experience values: 2 m/70 cm simplex a few kilometres (built-up) up to over 30 km with line of sight; via a well-placed repeater regionally up to around 100 km; shortwave continental to worldwide, depending on band, time of day and propagation.
- In a real emergency, any person – even without a licence – may send an emergency call by radio. In everyday life, transmitting without a concession is not permitted.
- For beginners: attend an emergency-radio exercise of your USKA section before you need it – routine is what counts when it matters.
How to start
- Aim for the HB3 entry-level licence (OFCOM exam)
- Attend a course at a USKA section
- Start with a VHF/UHF handheld transceiver and a local repeater
- Join the sections' emergency-radio exercises
Good to know
- Repeater stations cover large parts of Switzerland
- Shortwave reaches other continents without infrastructure
- In an emergency, even non-radio-amateurs may send an emergency call
Further sources
- USKA Association & emergency radio
- OFCOM Licence & exam
- Satellite communication Commercial satellite alternative without licence/setup effort
- Nomad Network & Reticulum Encrypted messages: what applies on amateur-radio bands