A True Radio-Ham: Personal Memoirs of Jordan Gaydarov (LZ1UC)
My first exposure to Morse code happened in 8th grade in Gorna Oryahovitsa. Out of curiosity, I enrolled in a telegraphy course taught by Petko Nikolov, a commercial radio operator at TABSO airlines.
I progressed quickly. Recognizing my aptitude, Nikolov began bringing me to the local radio club located in an attic room. The station operated a 25-Watt homebrew transmitter into a Windom antenna.
After completing the course, I logged my first CW contacts under his supervision while building up my speed.
1. Moving to Dimitrovgrad and Operating at LZ1KRA
When my family moved to Dimitrovgrad, I immediately joined the local radio club headed by Mladen (LZ2MC – sk).
Using the club’s training equipment, I pushed my receiving speed to 100 characters per minute. After passing my Class „C“ exam, I began operating legally from club station LZ1KRA.
During my military service, my telegraphy skills earned me an immediate placement in the active duty signal group.
2. Building Up LZ2KLC in Lyaskovets
Later, my family relocated to Lyaskovets. I joined club station LZ2KLC, which had been left without active operators.
The station transmitter ran a single GU-50 tube, connected to an 80-meter long-wire antenna anchored directly to the local church dome. Despite the crude setup, the station produced great signal reports worldwide.
For the 1966 National Championship, we deployed to the plateau above Lyaskovets. Operating next to a TV relay tower with a G5RV antenna, our team claimed 3rd Place nationally.
New members joined the team, including Stefan Krastev (LZ2DB – sk), Todor Papazov (LZ1WR), Pavlina Dzhipova, Pepa, Dora, and Elena. I was appointed station manager, turning LZ2KLC into one of the country’s most active stations.
3. Veliko Tarnovo (LZ2KBA) and Personal Callsign LZ1UC
As a student at Veliko Tarnovo University, I also joined regional club station LZ2KBA, managed by Hristo Devdzhiev and later Ivan Popov (LZ2SA).
LZ2KBA featured superior hardware, including a 1 kW transmitter. During major contests, I operated from LZ2KLC, while operators Nikolay Pisarov (LZ2JF) and Angel Lichev (LZ2UG) ran LZ2KBA.
In 1971, I began working at Radio Stara Zagora, joining club stations LZ1KSZ and LZ1KWT. In 1988, I was officially issued my individual callsign — LZ1UC.
Memoirs by Jordan Gaydarov (LZ1UC)
