50 Years of Amateur Radio in Bad Salzungen: The X36 Story

50 Years of Amateur Radio in Bad Salzungen: The X36 Story

From Humble Beginnings to International Connections

The DARC Ortsverband X36 Bad Salzungen boasts a rich history spanning over half a century. What began in 1965 as club station DM4EK in Dietlas/Rhön has evolved into a vibrant community of radio enthusiasts with members now scattered across Germany and beyond - from Hamburg to Munich, and even as far as China!

Key Milestones:

  • 1965: Founded by Peter "Pit" Fischer (DM2CKK)

  • 1975: Moved to "Junge Techniker" station at Burgsee

  • 1990: Transitioned to DARC as OV X36 after German reunification

  • 2015: Celebrated 50th anniversary with special callsign DKØWK

  • Today: Active contest station with global reach

Technical Evolution Through the Decades

The club has continually adapted to changing times:

Antenna Highlights:

  • Started with simple dipoles

  • Progressed to FB53 beam antennas

  • Currently operates a 25m mast

Notable Callsigns:

  • Y39ZK (GDR-era club station)

  • DLØSLZ (1990s "tongue-twister" callsign)

  • DKØWK (current contest-friendly callsign)

Education & Community Engagement

The X36 team has always prioritized nurturing new talent:

  • Youth programs since the 1970s

  • Fire department collaborations (since 2003)

  • Public demonstrations at local festivals

  • Special events like their golden anniversary celebration

Field Days & Contests

The club maintains an active contest schedule:

  • Regular participation in major competitions

  • Historic success in both CW and SSB events

  • Strong presence on both HF and VHF bands

Meet the Team

Current Leadership:

  • Chairman: Lutz Bergmann (DL3ARK)

  • Vice Chairman: Mario Kastl (DL5ASE)

Contact:
📍 Stadtgartenstr. 43, 36433 Bad Salzungen
📧 dl3ark@darc.de

Join the Legacy!

Whether you're:

  • A seasoned contester

  • A tech enthusiast

  • Simply curious about radio

The X36 team welcomes you to be part of their continuing story. From building antennas to making global contacts, there's always something exciting happening in Bad Salzungen's amateur radio community.

*"From the Rhön mountains to the world - 73 de X36!"*

More Information:
For additional club details, visit the DX Club Werratal website.

Reading next

Amateurfunk in Meiningen: Der Ortsverband X37
Amateurfunk in Hildburghausen: Der Ortsverband X33

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