The UBA and Short Wave Listeners (SWL)
Listening is an important part of radio amateurism. You can get a quick start with this hobby, without an exam, by getting acquainted with the possibilities of radio amateurism while listening. Many candidate radio amateurs were first listeners (called Short Wave Listeners) for a while, and this is certainly an excellent learning experience if they want to become active on the various amateur bands immediately after obtaining their radio amateur licence.
While listening, you enjoy radio and build up experience in this very special world of radio amateurism.
As a listening amateur, you can experiment with technology, antennas and receivers and gain experience in the properties of radio waves. In the UBA, you will find fellow radio amateurs as well as enthusiastic listening amateurs, with whom you will build up experience in radio communication together.
As a listening amateur, you can also make contacts with the heard radio amateurs. Via receiver reports, QSL cards, which are distributed worldwide free of charge for UBA members through the UBA QSL bureau. Many radio amateurs reply to these reports with their own QSL cards. To send QSL cards you use a special personal "call".
All members of the UBA will receive a membership number, namely the ONL number. Even he who has been a radio amateur for many years continues to keep an ONL number with the UBA. The ONL number is used by listening amateurs as identification (their "call") on their SWL QSL cards and this "call" is of course needed to receive QSL cards through the UBA QSL bureau. The ONL identification number, unlike the call sign of radio amateurs, is not assigned by the BIPT.
The UBA ONL committee encourages listening amateurs in Belgium with their hobby. Every short wave listener can ask their questions by using the contact form (as subject select "Regarding short wave listeners"). A special column in CQ-QSO (the UBA's bi-monthly magazine) is regularly reserved for ONLs. The ONL manager is responsible for this ONL column. This column brings news specific to listening amateurs and reports on all their activities. All UBA contests have a special ranking for listening amateurs.
Although the UBA is an association of radio amateurs, it is obvious that listening amateurs, and very particularly aspiring radio amateurs, are also coveted members for the association. Besides this group of temporary listening amateurs, there is a very small group of listening amateurs who do not want to become radio amateurs for certain reasons. This group of radio enthusiasts are also very welcome in our association.
A listening amateur does not have to take an exam with BIPT, nor apply for any licence for anything. However, he must be in line with the legislation relating to the use of receiving equipment outside the broadcasting bands.
Use the registration form to join the UBA and enjoy the many benefits the UBA offers its members.