BUDAPEST, Hungary — The Simonyi Károly Szakkollégiumi Rádióamatőr Klub (Simonyi Károly College for Advanced Studies Amateur Radio Club), known by its callsign HA5KFU, is a distinguished amateur radio club nestled within the Schönherz Dormitory of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). Founded in 1954, originally in Buda Castle, the club relocated in 1980 to the 19th floor of the new dormitory building in Budapest's XI. district, at Irinyi u. 42. Its geographical coordinates are approximately 47° 28′ 24″ N, 19° 03′ 11″ E.
The club is led by László Baráth (HA7DN) and operates as part of the Schönherz Electrical and Computer Engineers' Association, itself a member of the Simonyi Károly College for Advanced Studies, the professional college of BME's Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics. The HA5KFU callsign is synonymous with the club in amateur radio circles.
From Classic Radio to Modern Technologies
HA5KFU operates from the 19th floor of the Schönherz Dormitory, welcoming all students from BME's Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics. While initially focused on classic shortwave (HF) and ultrashortwave (VHF/UHF) amateur radio operations, the club has expanded into more modern fields, including satellite communication and software-defined radio (SDR). Their workshop, located at the very top of the dormitory, is where antennas and circuits for these advanced technologies are built. Notably, the club hosts the backbone router of the Hungarian AX.25 network.
The club also provides crucial radio communication support for electrical engineering faculty events, continuously developing and maintaining their equipment for this purpose.
Fostering Community and Expertise
The HA5KFU community welcomes students from all electrical engineering, computer science, and operations engineering programs. At the beginning of each semester, the club offers courses that teach the fundamentals of amateur radio, covering essential mathematical, physical, IT, and electronic knowledge. Upon completion, participants can join HA5KFU as new members, contribute to existing professional projects, or utilize the workshop and member support for their own project ideas.
Beyond its technical focus, HA5KFU is also a close-knit social group. They organize various community programs throughout the semester to strengthen camaraderie, including summer camps, mid-semester dinners, and other events.
Being a member of HA5KFU offers a unique advantage in the specialized field of high-frequency circuits. Experience gained here can significantly boost a career, as expertise in this area is rare. The club strives to ensure the continuous professional development of its members while also making amateur radio an enjoyable pursuit.
Club Equipment and Facilities
HA5KFU's radio equipment is connected to two rooftop antennas:
- HF antenna: DIAMOND WD-330 T2FD
- UHF/VHF antenna: DIAMOND X50
Their amateur radios include:
- Yaesu FTDX1200
- Yaesu FT857d
For long-distance shortwave communication, the club also has a power amplifier. The workshop is fully equipped for building simple circuits, featuring component drawers, soldering irons, and various tools. Desktop computers are installed with amateur radio and satellite tracking software, along with development tools. For maximum comfort, the radio club also offers a Hi-Fi system and a bed. Decades' worth of amateur radio magazines are available on their shelves.
A Legacy of Excellence: Simonyi Károly and Collaborative Ventures
The Schönherz Dormitory is home to several long-standing professional self-active circles, with HA5KFU being the oldest, founded in 1954. These circles collectively established the Simonyi Károly College for Advanced Studies, which adopted its current name in 2003. This consolidation strengthened internal cooperation, culminating in the highly successful annual Simonyi Conference.
The college is named after Károly Simonyi, a legendary electrical engineer and influential professor at BME. Simonyi, a remarkable personality from a large peasant family, received early support for his studies from his distant relative, former Prime Minister Sándor Simonyi-Semadam.
The Simonyi Károly Szakkollégiumi Rádióamatőr Klub exemplifies the rich blend of academic rigor, technical innovation, and strong community spirit that defines amateur radio at one of Hungary's premier technical universities.
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