In regards to bringing a rig here, I had no problem bringing my old Kenwood HF rig or my cheap Baofeng 2m/70cm handheld here. Operating from an apartment was a bit tough, but a longwire antenna run to a nearby tree seemed to do the trick for HF.

The paperwork for a US Extra getting a Swiss license was easy: I just sent in the form to BAKOM -- https://www.bakom.admin.ch/bakom/de/...ateurfunk.html -- and included a copy of my US Extra license and they mailed me the card (and a bill!) a few days later. Very fast turnaround, though the annual renewal costs are not insubstantial (CHF 100 or so).

I really do suck at Keep up on this thread.


Sorry K6AAF, didn't see your post, I am here permanantly as can be designated as no plans to go back to the US in the mid-term (say that decision is a rolling 3 year forecast). Happy to meet up, just PM me.


@WX9I you should have no Problem bringing your rig so Long as you have your US license with you in case any questions are asked. You would not be the first to do so.


As far as operating Location, one good spot if you're in Zug would be the Rigi mountain top - you take a train up the mountain, can be a bit on the expensive side but could be interesting experience operating from up there. However, you'll see there are many places where you have a clean line of site to the well loved F layer allowing low angle of take off.


HB9 is not a rare entity DX wise but at least you'll have some fun operating from this side of the pond.


All the best,


W2CDR

I just want to use my USA call with the /HB9 added to it.

You can do that under the CEPT rules for up to three months using HB9/ as a prefix to your US callsign. However, if you are a Swiss resident or operate here for more than three months, you need to get and use a Swiss callsign. You can, of course, continue to maintain your US callsign for when you're in the US or operating in other CEPT countries.

As an alternative to getting your own Swiss callsign, you can become a member of a local amateur radio club and operate at the club using the club callsign.

Hi ALL
HB9GHR / KM6CEZ here
Relatively new to the hobby after 30+ years QRT
Want to put up the Mosley TA-33-WMARC antenna eventually
(if and when the building commission says I can)
XYL wants the antenna assembled and installed professionally
(in other words, by someone familiar, experienced and knows what they're doing vs. her semi-experienced to no experience in this field husband hihi)
Anyone out there up for the job/task/project or can give me guidance/direction to someone who can get the job done?
The person/people/company will be paid for their services
Many thanks in advance for your knowledge/wisdom/help/reply
73
Roger
HB9GHR / KM6CEZ

Hi HB9GHR,


Ok I just put up a Mini Mosley TA 33 WARC on my balcony, I didn't bother to get permission from the Gemeinde.


What I did do was to put on a tiltable base (Penninger Tipper Base) and a telescopic mass, so I can tilt it down when ever I want. The reality is that I leave it up all the time and if I get a complaint from the neighbors, well they can eat me because I can tip it down and Claim it's a "temporary" Installation and use it only when I'm on the air.


I did the same with a 6BTV, 25 foot vertical, also was on a titlable base, so if the neighbors wanted to complain well all I had to was park it. What i did do was "SHOW" the neighbors that every Thing was tippable so even if they would complain they would "know" I have a Counter arguement ready...they can't stop me from using something when I wanted to use it then park it when I want right? So I'm immune from the swissies! (hi hi).


My back up plan was to have by small microdishes and Mount those to my balcony and aim into their Windows, tell them I was bouncing microwaves off their houses to get my contacts (just kidding).



Ok, so my Installation is Swiss proof and Sound high winds have not been an issue, the the Mosely takes it well.


Now the Antenna. It's a bitch to assemble (the instructions are terrible, which was unexpected for a Company like Mosley) and a bitch to tune. In fact I still have have SWR's that are not acceptable at the Moment I have to take it down again. The middle element (WARC) for 12 and 17 does not resonate, there is a phasing rod that connects that to the driven element and i get nothing. I've checked all Connections and everything is in check. I Need to call Mosely but time has not been on my side. I'm thinking of elminating the WARC element in the spring and see what happens anyways.


This is not an antenna for People who have limited time (i have a 22 month old who does not give me time). You Need time to really Play with this antenna and get it right - and I recommend an antenna analyzer something I don't believe in (old time hams never had one). To do it right you Need a full day - uninterrupted with Zen - something I never had. So I'll do that in the spring.


If you want, you can come over when i do it and you can see my Installation - see me take it down and see if it is for you. I think if I don't gett it going I'm going to just go with a simple Dipole (use the driven element).


Best,


W2CDR

Hello there,

bringing it up and would like to ask
if anybody here uses CB radio? Listen to channels 09 and 19 on CB band, the channels are for emergencies and did not hear a transmission during last week.

Licence is not required for this band in Switzerland by the way since quite recent times.

I have an international marine VHF radio licence and think of converting it to local one.
am in Lausanne area.

Thanks,

Actually I was wondering too about the changes in license requirements. Does anyone know a good resource in English? I don't have a license, but was thinking of buying a handheld radio just for listening. If I get a cheap one from outside Switzerland, will I be allowed to import it without a license? Does it depend on its transmitting capabilities?

The law is described here

It doesn't explicitly mention receivers but does mention transceivers at one point.

The whole point of a licence when transmitting is to ensure you have the knowledge and information to ensure you don't block frequencies or cause other interference.

A receiver won't do this so I'd say you don't need one for receiving only but the law does not say this.

Can’t you listen on the internet?

https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/list...io-online.html

Aw that'd be no fun. Then I wouldn't have an excuse to buy a new gadget.

Having recently done my HAM license, if you're looking to do the exam (in English), there's an easy way.

Take the course, online, in the UK. It's free with most clubs (or near free - I think I paid £5 for the advanced course. The intermediate maybe also). You can then do the exam in the UK online/remotely as well.

Once you pass all three exams, get the pdf of your certificate and convert it to a Swiss one.

Costs are substantially less this way, but you also get to study in English...

One thing to keep in mind - with a UK license, there are no fees after the exam... With a Swiss license you pay 120chf/year. With a UK license you can broadcast in CH for a year... so are long as you aren't building a base station, you may be able to get away with a UK license...

EDIT: Putting some links:

I used Essex ham for the foundation:
https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/foundation-online/
It's free and on demand.

Then for intermediate and advanced, OARC:
https://www.oarc.uk/course-details

OARC have a pretty active community as well, and strongly recommended.

Can I do this as an American, or do I need to be a UK citizen?

Does the HB3 also convert to the Swiss equivalent?

As long as you have a UK address to send the certificate to, the RSGB don't care in the slightest where you are from. Lots of online UK mailbox services you can use. In fact, you don't even "need" the certificate as if you email the RSGB they will send you a PDF of it (that's what I did as I wasn't coming to the UK for a while).

Legend has it that the shack of the Oxford HAM society has the worlds densest population density, with literally hundreds of people registered in a few sq.ft. with that address as their home-station location.

Conversion - the UK "Full" is what you need to convert to the Swiss license.

I can share my experience. I took the US ham license exam and got it converted to a Swiss one. It's fairly easy.



There's an annual ham fest in Friedrichshafen (near Lake Constance) where some American hams administer the exam. You need someone in the US to receive the license by post and scan it for you, or I guess you could also download it online from FCC. This year, the exam is on 24th June. Here's the details for the US license exam this year in Friedrichshafen https://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/germany-fg-00000-263



There might also be online exams these days, you need to check.



As someone already mentioned, you pay annual fee for the Swiss license, but the US license is valid for 10 years at a time.