Call Signs & CEPT
How callsigns are allocated — the Swiss HB scheme, suffixes (/p, /m, /mm, /am) and the CEPT guest licence for three months’ radio operation abroad.
Every licensed radio amateur is allocated a call sign by the licensing authority. The call sign is personal and remains valid only for as long as the radio amateur is alive and holds a valid licence. After a waiting period, the call sign expires and is reallocated. In Switzerland, OFCOM allocates the call signs.
A call sign consists of a country-specific identifier (allocated by the ITU; see ARRL — ITU Country List) and an identifier (allocated by the authority). In Switzerland, call signs are allocated according to the following scheme:
| Prefix | Usage |
|---|---|
| HB0 | Liechtenstein (not within OFCOM’s jurisdiction) |
| HB1–2, HB4–8 | Contest call signs and special call signs |
| HB3 | Beginner licence class, followed by an X or Y and two further letters (e.g. HB3YAA) |
| HB9 | Sections, clubs and contest call signs consisting of 1–2 letters (e.g. HB9A); historically, also older individual allocations |
| HB9 | CEPT licence class, followed by one to three letters |
| HB | followed by 2 digits and letters are special call signs — see also USKA club callsigns (e.g. HB90ABC or HB65ABC) |
| HE | Listening amateur call signs, issued by the USKA to USKA members without a licence |
Prefix, call sign and suffix
The call sign is used in the format prefix – call sign – suffix. A prefix in the form of a country code is added at the beginning if the radio amateur is located in the country in question and the licensing authority has stipulated this. A suffix is generally optional, but compulsory in certain contest situations, and describes the current location or the purpose of the station.
| Additional information | Spelling | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| portable | /p | A radio transceiver operated outside its usual location (unless one of the following criteria is met). |
| mobile | /m | Radio transceiver operated in or on a vehicle on land or on inland waterways. |
| maritime mobile | /mm | A radio transceiver operated on a vessel at sea. |
| aeronautical mobile | /am | Radio transceiver operated in the air (aeroplane, hot-air balloon, etc.). |
The list of all call signs allocated in Switzerland is managed by OFCOM and is not accessible to the USKA. The list of all USKA members with call signs can be accessed by members here: USKA membership list.
CEPT guest licences
Switzerland is a CEPT member country. Radio amateurs from CEPT signatory states may conduct radio operations in other signatory states using their CEPT licence without requiring further authorisation — and Swiss radio amateurs benefit from this when abroad.
CEPT countries and documents
Albania, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, the Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, United Kingdom, Vatican City, Cyprus.
| Source | Website | Document | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEPT — Members | cept.org | — | 2007 |
| ECO / TR 61-01 | docdb.cept.org | [DE] TR 61-01.pdf | 16 February 2024 |
| CEPT TR 61-02 (HAREC) | docdb.cept.org | [DE] TR 61-02.pdf | 16 February 2024 |
| CEPT Novice (HB3) — ECC/REC (05)06 | docdb.cept.org | [DE] Rec0506.pdf | 27 May 2016 |
Time limit
Radio operations under a CEPT licence are limited to three months. This is regulated by the Ordinance of 9 March 2007 on Frequency Management and Radio Licences (FKV), SR 784.102.1, Art. 8c.
… with radio equipment used in Switzerland for no longer than three months by persons resident or having their registered office abroad, provided that OFCOM has concluded a corresponding agreement with the competent foreign telecommunications authority (e.g. CEPT TR 61-01).
How to obtain a guest licence
First, check whether your destination is a CEPT country. If the country is not on the CEPT list, you must actively seek a guest licence — contact the relevant authority. The IARU national federations can also offer assistance.
Whether it is a CEPT country or not, everyone must comply with local regulations — band plans, transmit power limits and other provisions may differ from the information we have. Make sure you find out in good time before travelling. Good points of contact are the national amateur radio associations. CEPT membership alone is not sufficient everywhere; in some countries, amateur radio can lead to problems with military or political organisations.