In Germany, the Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) is responsible for the amateur radio exam, where you can take the exam for the "small" E and the "large" A license.
FASCINATION
AMATEUR RADIO
Guide for new and returning users
Consistent
Amateur radio continues to enjoy great popularity as a hobby.
Diverse
Technical interest, computers and radio technology, that's what amateur radio is all about.
Innovative
New trends and technology do not let radio amateurs get bored.
Boundless
There are countless interests and possibilities.
AMATEUR RADIO
A HOBBY CONNECTS THE WORLD
It is hardly possible to find a universal definition for amateur radio. Due to its diversity, it is much more than just "radio" as a communication technique, which has long since found its way into our everyday lives in a more regulated form with modern radio telephones. Amateur radio today is a mixture of technology, experimentation, communication and competition. A hobby in which - whether organized collectively or independently - everyone finds his place. The only entrance hurdle to obtain an amateur radio license is to pass an examination. However, this also ensures a higher level compared to other media and hobbies. Nevertheless, there are already about 80,000 radio amateurs in Germany alone, many of whom are members of the Deutsche Amateur-Radio-Club e. V. (DARC), are organized.
DIVERSITY AND TOLERANCE IN ACTION
Most hobbies have many beautiful sides. But with hardly any of them is this as pronounced as with amateur radio. With it, every corner of the earth can be reached. It is exciting to try out how far one's own equipment can reach under the current technical and meteorological conditions - even with a handheld radio, many 100 km can be bridged with overreach. Or to communicate with radio amateurs in other countries, across borders and languages. Radio amateurs build their own equipment, antennas and even their own satellites. They try out morse code radio, as it was common more than 100 years ago, as well as voice radio, image transmission or the most modern digital transmission methods. And they hold contests, collect confirmation cards for radio contacts, or run athletically through the woods in the so-called fox hunt. Yes, amateur radio is not a "couch potato" hobby. And this is only a small part of the whole range of amateur radio.
THE HOBBY
This video of the DARC shows all facets of the hobby amateur radio
THE LICENSE TO...RADIO!
In contrast to CB radio operators and all other radio users, whether police, firefighters or craftsmen, radio amateurs may also use self-built equipment. To ensure that they can do this and know how to handle them so that they do not cause any interference, they are only allowed to go on the air after passing an examination. Every radio amateur gets a personal callsign after passing the amateur radio exam. Many clubs offer their own training courses for this purpose, but the necessary knowledge can also be acquired from books, online courses or correspondence schools. By preparing for the license exam, radio amateurs acquire special knowledge and skills that they can often later use to their advantage in technical jobs. At the same time, they become part of a unique community, which is what makes amateur radio so special. The organization in local associations, the common networking and the openness also beyond national borders distinguish this hobby. There are different license classes, for whose acquisition in the examination more or less knowledge is necessary and with which then more or less devices, frequencies and transmitting powers may be used. So it is possible to first acquire a "small" license with a simpler exam and "get started" and later, when you get the desire for more, to upgrade to a "large" license.
Since amateur radio is a cross-border hobby and radio amateurs want to radio not only abroad but also when traveling from abroad, it is possible in most countries to apply for a guest license of a corresponding class before traveling on proof of having passed the amateur radio examination. If the own license corresponds to the "large" CEPT license or the "small" CEPT novice license and there are also such classifications in the host country, radio operation in the host country is also possible in Europe without prior application under the CEPT conditions - the CEPT is the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations.
Germany
Austria
In Austria, examinations (only oral, not written) have to be taken at the locally responsible telecommunications office ("Fernmeldebehörde 1. Instanz"), there is as the largest license the "Bewilligungsklasse 1" and as the smallest the "Bewilligungsklasse 4". The Austrian Amateur Radio Association is called Austrian Experimental Transmitter Association (ÖVSV).
Switzerland
In Switzerland it is the Federal Office of Communications (Bakom), the "small" license is the "HB3 license" and the "large" is the "HB9 license". The Swiss amateur radio association is the Union of Swiss Shortwave Amateurs (USKA).
NEW TRENDS: TECHNOLOGY IS ADVANCING, ESPECIALLY IN AMATEUR RADIO.
Although amateur radio operation in Morse telegraphy is still possible today as it was 100 years ago, it is only voluntary for those who wish to do so. Morse no longer needs to be learned for the amateur radio license. However, since amateur radio operators are very inventive people who are always discovering and researching new technologies, new things are constantly being added, such as:
01 Radio teletype
now actually an old technology again (RTTY - Radio Teletype), as is fax.
02 Television
no longer analog, but digital, and also via satellite.
03 Digital radiotelephony
can be forwarded around the world via converters.
04 Chat and data radio
Whether as packet radio, as "amateur radio Internet" or even broadband similar to WLAN.
05 Signal Reception at it's limit
Invented by Nobel Prize winner Joe Taylor, WSJT makes it possible, with computer assistance, to still receive signals that are actually so weak that they sink inaudibly into the noise.
06 SDR – Software defined Radio
radios, most of which are implemented in software and can thus be easily modified to new procedures.
WIMO BLOG
Stay curious! In the WiMo blog you will find interesting facts about current information, product presentations as well as insights into the daily WiMo life.
November 15, 2023
From the end of the year, WiMo will take over the general distribution for Chameleon Antennas in Europe. This is an important step aimed at offering our customers better prices and improved delivery capability. Chameleon Antennas USA is internationally recognised for its highly versatile and rugged antennas that appeal to radio amateurs as well as professional services such as the military and intelligence agencies...
It is worthwhile not only for radio amateurs, but also times with the whole family to observe such shooting star showers optically. To do this, you should look for a place in the region that is as dark as possible. Unfortunately, the light pollution in densely populated areas is enormous, so it is difficult to find a place that is sufficiently dark. Helpful are maps on the Internet, which show the degree of light pollution, e.g. https://www.lightpollutionmap.info oder https://darksitefinder.com/. Or ask the local astronomy group, where they go for observation... No matter if you look at the shooting stars, listen to them or use them actively as reflectors - we wish you a lot of fun and "Clear Skies".
November 02, 2023
The cold season is upon us, and while most people are preparing their homes for winter, you as a radio amateur should not forget to winterise your antenna system either. Amateur radio is not only a popular hobby, but also an important method of communication that can be invaluable, especially in emergencies. In this blog post, you'll learn why it's so crucial to winterise your antenna system and what steps you can take to ensure you can stay on air during the coldest months of the year.
