Founding of the Unterwalden Radio and Technology Association

On Saturday, 10 May 2025, more than 30 people founded the ‘Unterwalden HB9UW Radio and Technology Association’ in Hergiswil. District Council President Toni Niederberger and Bernard Wehrli, President of the Union of Swiss Shortwave Amateurs, jointly signed the founding deed as ‘founding godfather’.

After the founding resolution and approval of the statutes, Thomas Huber was elected to the board as secretary and Oliver Hiltbrunner as treasurer. Markus Walker was unanimously elected as the first president.

In addition to promoting radio communications, the association has set itself the goal of representing the interests of its members vis-à-vis the cantonal and national authorities. With the establishment of an additional emergency radio network, which will operate without electricity and without a public telecommunications network, local licensed radio amateurs will be able to make an important contribution to supporting the emergency services in the event of a disaster. The aim is to conclude an agreement with the cantons of Obwalden and Nidwalden in future, as is already the case in our neighbouring cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Zug and Lucerne.

The founding godfathers (left and right) with the board of HB9UW (centre)