GMFF Salutes Our Friends at HBFF Switzerland & Liechtenstein

The Flora and Fauna amateur radio community is built on much more than contacts, references, and awards. It is built on friendship, shared enthusiasm, outdoor radio, respect for nature, and the pleasure of connecting operators across borders.

With that spirit in mind, GM Flora and Fauna (GMFF) is pleased to recognise and salute our friends at HBFF Switzerland & Liechtenstein, also known as HB-LANDs Flora Fauna Awards.

GMFF was established in 2009 and operates as an independent amateur radio awards and activity programme. GMFF is not affiliated with, administered by, endorsed by, controlled by, or connected in any way to WWFF, GxFF, or any of their associated programmes or organisations.

This article is published in the spirit of friendship between radio amateurs. It does not imply any formal relationship, membership, endorsement, authority, partnership, or organisational connection between GMFF and any other programme.

Friendship Through Flora and Fauna Radio

Across the world, radio amateurs enjoy taking their stations outdoors into parks, nature reserves, protected landscapes, mountains, coastlines, islands, castles, historic locations, and other remarkable places.

Different clubs and programmes may use different rules, references, award systems, and administrative structures. However, the spirit of the activity is often the same: portable radio, respect for nature, good operating practice, accurate logging, and friendly international contacts.

HBFF Switzerland & Liechtenstein has made a valued contribution to outdoor amateur radio activity by encouraging operation from beautiful and protected areas across Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

GMFF recognises and respects the work done by radio amateurs in HBFF areas and welcomes friendly contacts between GMFF members, HBFF activators, hunters, listeners, and supporters.

A Beautiful Part of Europe for Portable Radio

Switzerland and Liechtenstein are truly special places for portable amateur radio. Their landscapes include mountains, alpine valleys, rivers, lakes, forests, wetlands, nature parks, and protected areas.

For activators and hunters, contacts with stations operating from these locations are always welcome. The combination of excellent scenery, strong amateur radio tradition, and well-organised outdoor radio activity makes Switzerland and Liechtenstein attractive destinations for portable operation.

GMFF members who travel abroad are encouraged to respect the local rules, local environment, and local radio community wherever they operate.

Shared Values

GMFF and HBFF are separate programmes, but many radio amateurs involved in outdoor activity share similar values:

• responsible portable operation;
• respect for nature and local access rules;
• accurate logging;
• support for activators, hunters, and shortwave listeners;
• friendship across borders;
• promotion of amateur radio in the outdoors.

These shared values are what make Flora and Fauna radio enjoyable, regardless of which country, club, programme, or reference system an operator is using.

Activators, Hunters, and SWLs

Outdoor radio depends on many people working together.

Activators take their portable stations into valid locations and give others the chance to make contacts. Hunters listen for those activations and help bring the activity to life on the bands. Shortwave listeners also play a valued role by logging heard stations and supporting the wider amateur radio community.

One operator may be standing in a forest, on a mountain path, beside a lake, near a castle, or on a remote island, while many others listen from home stations around the world. A simple signal report can become part of a much larger international friendship.

Good Practice for GMFF Operators Visiting Switzerland or Liechtenstein

Any GMFF member planning to activate in Switzerland or Liechtenstein should check the official local information before travelling or operating.

Before going on the air, visiting operators should make sure they understand:

• the correct local reference number;
• whether the station is inside the valid activation area;
• local operating and logging requirements;
• access rules, parking restrictions, and environmental protections;
• how and where to submit any required logs;
• whether advance notification is recommended.

Following the relevant local rules helps activators, local organisers, hunters, and the wider amateur radio community.

GMFF Independence

For clarity, GMFF is an independent programme created in 2009.

GMFF manages its own identity, activities, awards, references, rules, website content, and programme development. GMFF is not part of WWFF, GxFF, or any associated organisation.

The GMFF name, abbreviation, references, lists, award materials, website content, and programme structure are protected intellectual property. They may not be copied, reproduced, adapted, incorporated into another programme, or presented as part of any external organisation without prior written permission from GMFF.

Any unauthorised use of the GMFF name, abbreviation, references, lists, or materials may be treated as misuse of GMFF intellectual property and identity.

Friendship Across Borders

GMFF values friendship, respect, and cooperation between radio amateurs around the world.

We thank the HBFF Switzerland & Liechtenstein community for their contribution to outdoor amateur radio and for encouraging activity from beautiful natural areas.

Every contact between operators in different countries is more than a signal report. It is a friendly link between people, landscapes, stations, and communities.

44 and 73 from GMFF.