The Amateur Radio Village: The Story of Polikraishte’s Radio Clubs
On October 10, 1966, a group of young enthusiasts launched organized amateur radio in Polikraishte village. Operations began in a small room on the village square.
The founders were Boncho Vasilev (LZ2AS – sk), Boyan Adzharov (sk) from Gorna Oryahovitsa, and Milko Pendov (LZ2UC). They set up a modified „Orfeus“ receiver, a Morse key, and a code buzzer. This marked the start of shortwave listening and code classes for local school students.
Meanwhile, members built the club’s first transmitter. Components were supplied by the Veliko Tarnovo regional club LZ2KBA, managed by Ivan Popov (LZ2SA).
On January 15, 1968, club station LZ2KPK officially aired. It operated with a 50-Watt homebrew transmitter (GU-50 tube) and a VS1AA wire antenna.
1. Station Upgrades and Antenna Arrays
The „Orfeus“ receiver was replaced by a military KV-M. Later, the station acquired a Bulgarian „Signal“ receiver.
The club received strong support from the municipality and the local school. The agricultural cooperative provided vital financial backing.
A 10-meter steel mast was installed atop the cooperative building. Members built a 4-element Quad antenna for 14/21 MHz with a 9-meter boom. A 3.5 MHz Delta Loop was also erected.
2. Training, Second Club (LZ2KAB), and National Milestones
Training programs expanded quickly. The club hosted three annual courses: two for Morse code and one for Foxhunting (ARDF).
Active membership reached 20 operators. This led to the opening of a second club station, LZ2KAB, at the Youth Center.
Operators competed regularly in national and international HF contests. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 1986, Polikraishte hosted the IV National Amateur Radio Family Convention.
Club activities gradually faded during the 1990s. Official club operations ceased after 2000.
However, the radio tradition endured. By 2010, Polikraishte boasted 9 individual stations holding 22 callsigns over time.
By Milko Pendov (LZ2UC)
