Hungary: Honfy József Rádióamatőr Klub – HA1KHJ, Fostering Education and Research at Széchenyi University

GYŐR, Hungary — A new and promising amateur radio club, the Honfy József Rádióamatőr Klub, operating under the callsign HA1KHJ, has been established within the Department of Telecommunications at Széchenyi István University in Győr. Located at Egyetem tér 1, the club's primary focus is on education and research within the field of amateur radio and telecommunications.

Honoring a Legacy: József Honfy

The club is named in honor of József Honfy, a pivotal figure in Hungarian telecommunications history. Honfy was a distinguished machine technician, electrical engineer, and broadcast specialist engineer.

His career began at the Electrical Division of the Csepeli Tervező Intézet (Designing Institute in Csepel), where he contributed to the planning of industrial electronic systems. He later moved to the Pestvidéki Gépgyár (Machine Industry of Vicinity Budapest), tackling similar challenges.

Honfy's deep involvement in medium- and shortwave radio broadcasting and telecommunication systems began at the Radio and Television Board of the Hungarian Post. There, as a senior engineer, he famously led the construction and installation of the formidable 2000 kW Solt Radio Station.

His influence extended further, as he directed the adaptation of stereo technology for Hungary's second national radio program (Petőfi), oversaw the implementation of the FM CCIR band in Hungary, and played a key role in launching Hungarian commercial radio broadcasting.

From 1986 until his retirement, Honfy dedicated himself to teaching at the KTMF (College for Traffic and Telecommunication) and its legal successors. He imparted theoretical and practical knowledge on subjects such as wave propagation, radio broadcasting, satellite telecommunications, and CATV technology. He also conducted training sessions on these topics at various institutions, including the Ányos Jedlik Machine and Informatical Technology School, the Puskás Tivadar Telecommunication Technology School, Pannon GSM, and NOKIA Komárom Ltd.

József Honfy's profound knowledge, the engaging atmosphere of his courses, and his genuine affection and reverence for his profession profoundly influenced multiple generations, inspiring many technically-minded young people to choose telecommunications as their specialty. The Honfy József Rádióamatőr Klub aims to continue this legacy of educational excellence and passion for the field.