Amateur Radio in Kursk: Signals from the Heart of Black Earth

Kursk, famed for its fertile black earth and storied wartime history, is also home to a quieter kind of strategic network — the Kursk branch of the Union of Radio Amateurs of Russia (СРР). From a modest office on Sumskaya Street, operators link their oblast to the rest of Russia and beyond, using both high-frequency and VHF channels.

Leadership with a Steady Signal

The branch is led by Alexander Sergeevich Kholodkov (RW5W), whose call is as steady on air as it is in managing the club’s daily affairs. His council includes:

• Alexander Ponomarenko (R3WCP) – secretary, keeping the paperwork as clear as the signal reports.

• Ruslan Anatolievich Kuldasov (RW3WX) – responsible for HF/VHF sport, ensuring Kursk’s operators remain competitive on the national stage.

Structured for Reliability

Oversight comes from Alexander Dmitrievich Dorokhin (R5WZ), while the Qualification Commission, chaired by Ivan Vladimirovich Shor (RA3WDK), maintains the high standards expected of licensed operators. The QSL Bureau, run by Maxim Kardashov (R3WCH), keeps the flow of confirmation cards steady — a tactile reminder that amateur radio remains as much about tradition as technology.

Round Tables and Local Frequencies

Kursk hams keep a regular rhythm:

• Thursdays at 20:00 MSK – 145.500 MHz VHF check-in.

• Sundays at 09:00 MSK – morning nets that draw voices from across the oblast.

The club’s collective station on Sumskaya Street also hosts monthly licensing sessions on the last Sunday, blending formal qualification with community gathering.

A Modest Hub with Broad Reach

While Kursk’s radio community may operate from a small second-floor office, its reach is broad — both in the airwaves and in local life. In a city known for decisive battles, these operators wage their campaigns on static and signal strength, ensuring that no call for contact goes unanswered.