Europe Ham Radio
National amateur radio societies, clubs, licensing, contests, and events across Europe. Each country has its own society affiliated with IARU Region 1.
National Societies
Each European country has a national amateur radio society affiliated with IARU Region 1. These organizations represent amateurs to their national regulators and coordinate band plans, contests, and operating events.
Radio Society of Great Britain. Founded in 1913, the RSGB is one of the oldest national radio societies. Publishes RadCom magazine and coordinates UK amateur radio licensing through Ofcom.
Visit RSGB →Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club. Germany's national society with over 33,000 members, making it one of the largest in the world. Organizes the annual HAM RADIO fair in Friedrichshafen.
Visit DARC →Réseau des Émetteurs Français. France's national amateur radio organization. French amateurs use the F prefix.
Visit REF →Unión de Radioaficionados Españoles. Spain's national society. Spanish amateurs use the EA prefix.
Visit URE →Associazione Radioamatori Italiani. Italy's national society. Italian amateurs use the I prefix. ARI hosts the popular Italian DX Contest.
Visit ARI →Vereniging voor Experimenteel Radio Onderzoek in Nederland. Dutch national society. PA/PH/PD prefixes. Hosts the PACC Contest each February.
Visit VERON →More European Societies
| Country | Society | Prefix |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | IRTS (Irish Radio Transmitters Society) | EI |
| Sweden | SSA (Foereningen Sveriges Saendareamatoerer) | SM/SA |
| Finland | SRAL (Suomen Radioamatoeriliitto) | OH |
| Norway | NRRL (Norsk Radio Relae Liga) | LA |
| Denmark | EDR (Experimenterende Danske Radioamatoerer) | OZ |
| Belgium | UBA (Union Belge des Amateurs-Emetteurs) | ON |
| Switzerland | USKA (Union Schweizerischer Kurzwellen-Amateure) | HB |
| Austria | OEVSV (Oesterreichischer Versuchssenderverband) | OE |
| Poland | PZK (Polski Zwiazek Krotkofalowcow) | SP |
| Czech Republic | CRK (Cesky Radioklub) | OK |
| Hungary | MRASZ (Magyar Radioamator Szovetseg) | HA |
| Portugal | REP (Rede dos Emissores Portugueses) | CT |
| Greece | RAAG (Radio Amateur Association of Greece) | SV |
| Romania | FRR (Federatia Romana de Radioamatorism) | YO |
| Croatia | HRS (Hrvatski Radioamaterski Savez) | 9A |
| Slovenia | ZRS (Zveza Radioamaterjev Slovenije) | S5 |
| Bulgaria | BFRA (Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs) | LZ |
CEPT Licensing
The CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations) license allows amateur radio operators from participating countries to operate in other CEPT member states without obtaining a separate license. US amateurs can also benefit under certain reciprocal agreements.
If you hold a full amateur radio license from your home country and plan to travel in Europe, check the CEPT T/R 61-01 recommendation for details on reciprocal operating privileges.
European Events
HAM RADIO Friedrichshafen
Europe's largest amateur radio exhibition, held annually in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Organized by DARC. Attracts exhibitors and visitors from around the world, with lectures, flea markets, and demonstrations.
The RSGB's annual convention in the UK, featuring lectures, workshops, demonstrations, and a trade show. A major gathering for UK and European amateurs.
Learn More →WRTC
World Radiosport Team Championship. Held every four years, top contest operators from around the world compete on equal footing with identical stations. Often called the "Olympics of Amateur Radio."