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History of ON6WL Waaslandse Radio Amateurs
The UBA (Unie der Belgische Amateurzenders) was founded again officially on January 10th 1948, Shortly after the end of World War II. During the war, of course, amateur radio service was suspended, although, many radio-amateurs were active in the resistance where their skills were very welcome.
In 1939, following the mobilization, a general ban on private radio transmissions was imposed. In June 1939 the defense ministry gave eligible radio-amateurs the opportunity to serve with the transmission troops. They were allowed to used their own equipment. The main reason for this was that this equipment was more efficient than the ( almost ) non-existing military equipment. However, most of the active hams were preparing for a 'long winter' and dismantled their radios or put them in secure places.
The refounded UBA arose from the VRB (Vlaamse Radio Bond, Flemish radio union) and the RB(Reseau Belge, French speaking radio union) in 1945.
In Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Kortrijk, Aalst and Hasselt hams started to form regional clubs. All of these regions had their own regional president. The first president was ON4FL , Max van de Woestijne. In 1949 he was succeeded by Henri Wouters, then ON4HW , later ON5AJ . He was the president of the VRB between 1937 and the general mobilization in 1939.
Since most of the members lived in major cities, most of the activities were held there too. Owning a car was not self-evident in those days and those who attended meetings had to travel by bicycle, train or tram. In the Waaslandregion there were a few well established call signs since the 1920's and soon new people were 'recruited'. In the autumn of 1957 the idea of forming a real 'section' (local club) lead to the birth of UBA section Waasland.
After the necessary contacts and permission of the UBA the new section was officially formed in April 1958. Founders of the club were ON4KD, ON4EB, ON4JL, ON4QP and ON4QA .
ON4TD, the then president of the UBA-Flemish section, entrusted ON4KD to be the first CM (City Manager). ON4KD's reputation was already widespread. Active since 1921 he attracted well known hams like ex-ON4HW (later ON5AJ), ON4FG, ON4VO, ON4WR and many others all located from the northeastern part of the 'land van waas' to join the newly formed section.
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