The new issue of HBradio 4/2026 is now available online
The new issue 4/2026 of ‘HBradio’ has been published. USKA members can now download the magazine as a PDF from the members’ area of the USKA website.
The editorial team, led by Editor-in-Chief Dr Willy Rüsch (HB9AHL) and Technical Editor Dr Mathias Weyland (HB9FRV), once again offers a wide range of technical articles, contest analyses and the latest news from the Swiss amateur radio scene across 84 pages. Some highlights from the latest issue:
World record at 76 GHz: First EME QSO
Manfred Plötz (DL7YC) describes the technical journey from 70 cm right up to the microwave band. On 22 April 2026, together with Sergei (RW3BP), he achieved the world’s first Earth-Moon-Earth link at 76 GHz in Q65-60E mode. The article explains the complex technology involved, such as high-power SSPAs, pre-amplifiers and precise antenna tracking at the libration minimum.
Legal framework: Importing radio transceivers yourself
Urs Lott (HB9BKT) highlights the pitfalls of directly importing commercial amateur radio equipment from abroad. The article summarises the requirements set out by OFCOM and Customs, and explains the special regulations and tolerance practices for HB9 and HB3 licence holders.
After the disaster: A fresh start with ÜberSDR on the Rigi Scheidegg
Following a lightning strike in May 2026 that destroyed around 70 per cent of the remote station, Wolfgang Sidler (HB9RYZ) and Frédéric Furrer (HB9CQK) report on the rebuild. The new WebSDR server, situated at 1,660 metres above sea level, offers, amongst other things, real-time access to the HF spectrum (0–30 MHz) as well as integrated decoders for digital modes.
Consultation: USKA’s submission on the Requisition Ordinance
The USKA is calling for private emergency radio facilities and relay stations to be exempt from state requisitioning, so as not to weaken civil crisis resilience in the event of an emergency.
Contest results: Helvetia H26 Contest 2026
Contest manager Dominik Bugmann (HB9CZF) presents the full standings, log statistics, as well as experience reports and photos from numerous participants.
