The Polski Związek Krótkofalowców (PZK) (in English

English language

English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

, Polish Amateur Radio Union) is a national non-profit organization

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 for amateur radio

Amateur radio

Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...

 enthusiasts in Poland

Poland

Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

. Key membership benefits of the PZK include the sponsorship of amateur radio operating award

Amateur radio operating award

An amateur radio operating award is earned by an amateur radio operator for establishing two-way communication with other amateur radio stations. Awards are sponsored by national amateur radio societies, radio enthusiast magazines, or amateur radio clubs, and aim to promote activity on the amateur...

s, radio contests

Contesting

Contesting is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information...

, and a QSL

QSL

QSL is one of the Q codes used in radiocommunication and radio broadcasting. A Q code message can stand for a statement or a question . In this case, QSL? means "do you confirm receipt of my transmission?" while QSL means "I confirm receipt of your transmission". Some also take it to mean "Query...

 bureau for members who regularly communicate with amateur radio operator

Amateur radio operator

An amateur radio operator is an individual who typically uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other similar individuals on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. Amateur radio operators have been granted an amateur radio...

s in other countries. PZK represents the interests of Polish amateur radio operators before Polish and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. PZK publishes a membership magazine called Świat Radio. PZK is the national member society representing Poland in the International Amateur Radio Union

International Amateur Radio Union

The International Amateur Radio Union is an international confederation of national amateur radio organisations that allows a forum for common matters of concern and collectively represents matters to the International Telecommunication Union...

.

History

On February 22-24, 1930 Polski Zwiazek Krotkofalowcow (Polish Amateur Radio Union) was founded and professor Janusz Groszkowski of the Warsaw University of Technology

Warsaw University of Technology

The Warsaw University of Technology is one of the leading institutes of technology in Poland, and one of the largest in Central Europe. It employs 2,453 teaching faculty, with 357 professors . The student body numbers 36,156 , mostly full-time. There are 17 faculties covering almost all fields of...

 was elected as its first President. World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 broke out in 1939 and amateur radio

Amateur radio

Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...

activities were ordered out of existence in Poland. It took years for PZK to be reborn on January 11, 1957 and to have amateur radio licenses being issued. PZK activities were financed by the government then on and the 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 is financed by members & donors and its membership is no longer a requirement for licensing in Poland.

Organizational Structure

The PZK National Convention is supreme decision making body, while daily affairs are run by Headquarters, the 5 member Presiding Committee. Committee members are elected for four years terms by the general membership delegates during National Convention and 33 field divisions directors. Executive officers are elected or appointed by the Committee itself.