Radio stations in interwar Poland
Encyclopedia
The pioneers of radio
in Poland
were army officers — Poles who served in German
, Austria
n and Russia
n armies in the World War I
. In the fall of 1918, shortly after the war, these experts started organizing Polish radio. On November 4, 1918 in Kraków
, a field station, previously used by Austrian army, sent first Polish radio signals. Soon, more field stations – this time German — were captured by the Poles in Warsaw
and Poznań
. Obviously, at first radio was used for military purposes only. Knowledge of Polish experts in this field was used to a great effect during the 1920 Polish-Soviet War
.
In 1924 radio in Poland no longer was the domain of the army. In April an Act of Parliament was passed that, among others, legalized buying, selling, and operating radio equipment by private citizens and businesses; on October 10, Minister of Industry and Trade issued regulations that set out conditions of obtaining broadcasting licenses and running radio stations. Soon after, an experimental station was opened by Polskie Towarzystwo Radiotechniczne.
, managed by Zygmunt Chamiec — on April 18, 1926 started to broadcast regular programs. The first station was located in Warsaw and the equipment was an English
station Marconi Wireless. It was soon replaced by a stronger unit, with 10 kilowatts output. Old equipment was moved to Kraków. Later on, Warsaw’s station was expanded — among others, five new studios located at Zielna street were commissioned.
During the following years, Polish Radio S.A. opened new stations in other main cities across the nation. In 1927 in Kraków and Katowice
, at the beginning of 1928 in Wilno (see: Polish Radio Wilno
), and in mid-1928 in Poznań. In 1930 additional two stations in Lwów (see: Polish Radio Lwów
) and Łódź were added. Also, the same year, a temporary station Warsaw II was established.
On May 24, 1931, new transmitter, located at Raszyn
near Warsaw, was commissioned. With power of 120 kilowatts, it was the strongest transmitter in Europe
. At the same time, Polskie Radio increased power of stations in Wilno and Lwów to 16 kilowatts.
Further stations were opened in Toruń
(1935), a permanent station Warsaw II (1937) and in Baranowicze (1938, see Polish Radio Baranowicze
). A station at Łuck, Volhynia (see Polish Radio Łuck), was almost completed by September 1, 1939 — the transmitter was to be brought from Warsaw by October. Due to outbreak of Second World War, the station never went on air.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
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...
were army officers — Poles who served in German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n armies in the World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In the fall of 1918, shortly after the war, these experts started organizing Polish radio. On November 4, 1918 in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, a field station, previously used by Austrian army, sent first Polish radio signals. Soon, more field stations – this time German — were captured by the Poles in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
and Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
. Obviously, at first radio was used for military purposes only. Knowledge of Polish experts in this field was used to a great effect during the 1920 Polish-Soviet War
Polish-Soviet War
The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine and the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic—four states in post–World War I Europe...
.
In 1924 radio in Poland no longer was the domain of the army. In April an Act of Parliament was passed that, among others, legalized buying, selling, and operating radio equipment by private citizens and businesses; on October 10, Minister of Industry and Trade issued regulations that set out conditions of obtaining broadcasting licenses and running radio stations. Soon after, an experimental station was opened by Polskie Towarzystwo Radiotechniczne.
Polish radio and its expansion
In August 1925, bids were invited for the organization of a nationwide radio network. The winner — Polskie Radio S.A.Polskie Radio
Polskie Radio Spółka Akcyjna is Poland's national publicly funded radio broadcasting organization.- History :Polskie Radio was founded on 18 August 1925 and began making regular broadcasts from Warsaw on 18 April 1926....
, managed by Zygmunt Chamiec — on April 18, 1926 started to broadcast regular programs. The first station was located in Warsaw and the equipment was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
station Marconi Wireless. It was soon replaced by a stronger unit, with 10 kilowatts output. Old equipment was moved to Kraków. Later on, Warsaw’s station was expanded — among others, five new studios located at Zielna street were commissioned.
During the following years, Polish Radio S.A. opened new stations in other main cities across the nation. In 1927 in Kraków and Katowice
Katowice
Katowice is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, on the Kłodnica and Rawa rivers . Katowice is located in the Silesian Highlands, about north of the Silesian Beskids and about southeast of the Sudetes Mountains.It is the central district of the Upper Silesian Metropolis, with a population of 2...
, at the beginning of 1928 in Wilno (see: Polish Radio Wilno
Polish Radio Wilno
Polish Radio Wilno was a station of the Polish Radio, located in the city of Wilno , which in the interbellum period belonged to the Second Polish Republic....
), and in mid-1928 in Poznań. In 1930 additional two stations in Lwów (see: Polish Radio Lwów
Polish Radio Lwów
Polish Radio Lwów was a station of the Polish Radio, located in the city of Lwów , which in the interbellum period belonged to the Second Polish Republic. It was regarded as the second most popular station of the Polish Radio, behind Radio Warsaw .- History :The station was opened on January 13,...
) and Łódź were added. Also, the same year, a temporary station Warsaw II was established.
On May 24, 1931, new transmitter, located at Raszyn
Raszyn
Raszyn is a village in Pruszków County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Raszyn. It lies approximately east of Pruszków and south-west of Warsaw. The village has a population of 6,700.Raszyn has been the site of two battles...
near Warsaw, was commissioned. With power of 120 kilowatts, it was the strongest transmitter in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. At the same time, Polskie Radio increased power of stations in Wilno and Lwów to 16 kilowatts.
Further stations were opened in Toruń
Torun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
(1935), a permanent station Warsaw II (1937) and in Baranowicze (1938, see Polish Radio Baranowicze
Polish Radio Baranowicze
Polish Radio Baranowicze was a station of the Polish Radio, located in the city of Baranowicze, which in the interbellum period belonged to the Second Polish Republic. Opened in the summer of 1938, it was active only for a little more than a year .The station was opened on July 1, 1938...
). A station at Łuck, Volhynia (see Polish Radio Łuck), was almost completed by September 1, 1939 — the transmitter was to be brought from Warsaw by October. Due to outbreak of Second World War, the station never went on air.
List of Polish radio stations, summer 1939
| Location | Opened | Frequency | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw I | 18 Apr 1926 | 224 kHz | 300 km |
| Kraków | 15 Feb 1927 | 1022 kHz | 45 km. |
| Poznań | 24 Apr 1927 | 868 kHz | 100 km |
| Katowice | 4 Dec 1927 | 758 kHz | 160 km |
| Wilno | 15 Jan 1928 | 536 kHz | 140 km |
| Lwów | 15 Jan 1930 | 795 kHz | 100 km |
| Łódź | 2 Feb 1930 | 1339 kHz | 45 km |
| Toruń | 15 Jan 1935 | 968 kHz | 60 km |
| Warszawa II | 3 Mar 1937 | 1384 kHz | 45 km |
| Baranowicze | 1 Jul 1938 | 520 kHz | 120 km |
| Łuck, Volhynia | Was to be opened in the autumn of 1939 | 424 kHz | most probably 120 km |