LZ2KAF – Gorna Oryahovitsa City Radio Club

LZ2KAF — History of the City Radio Club Gorna Oryahovitsa

The origins of amateur radio in Gorna Oryahovitsa date back to around 1949 when organized training for radio telegraphers began. The initial instructors were professional flight radio operators from TABSO airlines at the local airport.

Morse code telegraphy training class in Gorna Oryahovitsa (1952–1954)

1. Founding of LZ2KAF and Early Years (1953–1957)

In May 1953, amateur station LZ2KAF officially aired. The first appointed station trustee was Boyan Adzharov (sk), holding a Class „B“ license.

In 1954, Adzharov temporarily returned to Plovdiv. Lacking a replacement Class „B“ operator, the station was sealed. In late 1954, Strahil Bogoev (LZ1BA – sk) joined the airport staff. By early 1955, Bogoev reopened the station and constructed a new transmitter with help from the Veliko Tarnovo regional club.

Left: LZ2KAF station setup in 1955. Right: Strahil Bogoev (LZ1BA – sk)

2. Military Hardware and the LZ2KLC Transition (1958–1967)

In 1958–1959, the club gained official full-time status. A former military officer took charge as manager, replacing custom gear with military surplus equipment including an RSB-F-3 transmitter and US-P receiver.

Despite heavy operating conditions, members logged contacts around the clock. Operators were mostly students from the newly established technical high school. Key operators included Racho Kazakov, Ivan Dimitrov, Hristofor Mihaylov (LZ2DW), Pavlina Dzhipova, and Yordan Musliyski (LZ2EY – sk).

Operators inside LZ2KAF shack (1961) and Hristofor Mihaylov (LZ2DW) operating CW

In 1967, operators temporarily moved operations to nearby LZ2KLC in Lyaskovets. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Nikolay Granitski designed and built a new custom transmitter (VFO-BU-FD-PA topology) featuring a 250W GK-71 final power amplifier, paired with military KVM receivers.

3. Engineering Growth, Monastery Expeditions, and SSB (1969–1975)

Equipped with the new transmitter, the club competed actively in national and international contests, securing top positions. A military R-250 receiver was regularly borrowed for the annual LZDX Contest.

LZ2KAF station team (1969): Stefan Krastev (LZ2DB – sk), YL Liliya Yordanova, Hristo Rachev (LZ2HG), and Todor Papazov (LZ1WR). Right: Contest operation during LZDXC

In 1973, Hristofor Mihaylov (LZ2DW) built a custom VFO adapter for the Volna-K receiver, creating the club’s first CW transceiver setup. By late 1974, a commercial CW/SSB transceiver brought the station onto phone (SSB) modes.

Under club manager Ivan Enchev (appointed 1972), members organized field operations at the Lyaskovets Monastery. Installing an 18-meter mast with an Inverted Vee antenna for 80/40/20/15 meters provided noise-free reception away from urban QRM.

The distinctive custom QSL card of LZ2KAF featuring Tsarevets fortress artwork

Subsequent club managers included Stefan Krastev (1977–1979), Milan Genov (LZ2BN), Balkov, Ventsislav Nikolov (ex LZ2WU), and Mihail Bozgunov (LZ2BK – sk).

4. Individual Radio Stations and ARDF Foxhunting

Gorna Oryahovitsa’s first individual station belonged to Dimitar Drachev (LZ1BC – sk / ex LZ2BC) during 1962–1965. In 1972, Kostadin Petkov (LZ2HL) constructed his own transmitter and later an all-band transceiver designed by Chavdar Levkov (LZ1AQ).

Under teacher Ivan Kovandzhiev, members also organized regular Foxhunting (ARDF) training sessions using equipment donated by the regional radio club.

Dimitar Drachev (LZ1BC – sk) — holder of the first individual station license in Gorna Oryahovitsa

5. Roster of LZ2KAF Operators and Alumni

Dozens of licensed radio amateurs and operators honed their skills at club station LZ2KAF in Gorna Oryahovitsa: