Polski Związek Krótkofalowców
National non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Poland.
The Polski Związek Krótkofalowców (PZK), known in English as the Polish Amateur Radio Union, is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Poland. It sponsors operating awards, radio contests, and a QSL bureau for members who communicate with operators abroad. PZK is the national member society representing Poland in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The organization was founded on February 22–24, 1930, with Professor Janusz Groszkowski of the Warsaw University of Technology elected as its first president. Amateur radio activities were banned in Poland after World War II broke out in 1939. PZK was reestablished on January 11, 1957, and amateur radio licenses were again issued. At that time, government funding supported PZK activities, and membership was mandatory for anyone wanting amateur radio privileges. Anatol Jeglinski (SP5CM) was elected president. Since 1990, PZK has been funded by members and donors, and membership is no longer required to obtain a license in Poland.
The PZK National Convention is the supreme decision-making body. Daily operations are managed by a five-member Presiding Committee, elected for four-year terms by general membership delegates at the National Convention, along with 33 field division directors. Executive officers are elected or appointed by the committee itself.
Quick Facts
- Abbreviation
- PZK
- Formation
- 1930
- Purpose
- Advocacy, Education
- Location
- Augustyna Kordeckiego Street 66 lok. U1 / 04-355 Warsaw, Poland / 52.24558 · 21.08956 · yes
- Region Served
- Poland
- Language
- Polish
- Leader Title
- President
- Leader Name
- Krzysztof Horoszkiewicz, SP5E
- Affiliations
- International Amateur Radio Union
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Polski Związek Krótkofalowców was founded on February 22–24, 1930, with Professor Janusz Groszkowski of the Warsaw University of Technology elected as its first President. World War II broke out in 1939 and amateur radio activities were ordered out of existence in Poland. It took years for PZK to be reborn on January 11, 1957, and for amateur radio licenses to be issued again. At that time, PZK activities were financed by the government and membership was obligatory for those who wanted to enjoy amateur radio privileges. Anatol Jeglinski (SP5CM) was elected as the new PZK President.
Since 1990, PZK has been financed by members and donors, and membership is no longer a requirement for licensing in Poland. The PZK National Convention is the supreme decision-making body, while daily affairs are run by the Headquarters and the 5-member Presiding Committee. Committee members are elected for four-year terms by the general membership delegates during the National Convention and 33 field division directors. Executive officers are elected or appointed by the Committee itself.
Reader's Guide
The Polski Związek Krótkofalowców holds significance as the national representative of Polish amateur radio operators within the International Amateur Radio Union. Its key membership benefits include the sponsorship of amateur radio operating awards, radio contests, and a QSL bureau for members who regularly communicate with amateur radio operators in other countries. The organization's history reflects the disruption of World War II, which forced amateur radio activities out of existence in Poland from 1939 until the union's reestablishment in 1957. The shift from government financing and obligatory membership to a member- and donor-funded model after 1990 marks a major change in its structure. The PZK's organizational framework, with a National Convention as the supreme body and a Presiding Committee handling daily affairs, provides a stable governance structure for the amateur radio community in Poland.
Did You Know?
- Amateur radio activities were ordered out of existence in Poland during World War II, which began in 1939.
- The PZK was reborn on January 11, 1957, and Anatol Jeglinski (SP5CM) was elected as its new President.
- Since 1990, PZK membership is no longer a requirement for obtaining an amateur radio license in Poland.
More in Amateur Radio Organizations, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced