Roskilde's Enduring Wavelengths: A Danish Radio Club Celebrates 80 Years Amidst Historical Revival

ROSKILDE, DENMARK – In the historic Danish city of Roskilde, the local chapter of Eksperimenterende Danske Radioamatører (EDR), Denmark's national amateur radio society, operating with callsigns OZ9EDR and OZ5W, is marking a significant milestone in 2025: its 80th year of continuous activity. Founded in the immediate post-war era of 1945 by pioneering local amateurs such as Arne Wagenblast (implied OZ5AW) and Kurt Jensen (OZ2KJ), the club not only sustains regular weekly meetings but is also actively engaged in a project to compile and present its extensive history – a task described on its website as currently "under opbygning" (under construction).

The club's annals, currently being researched and assembled by members like Gorm (OZ6GH) and OZ7QC, paint a vivid picture of early Danish amateur radio. Anecdotes recall experiments with 5-meter transceivers conducted from the local water tower, and the ingenuity displayed in utilizing surplus components. One such popular item was the RV12P2000 vacuum tube, so ubiquitous that its "P2000" designation colloquially lent its name to a glass of schnapps (just as another popular tube, the RL12P35, was nicknamed "P35" and equated to a beer). This spirit of hands-on construction, exemplified by a 5-meter transmitter built by Paul Størner (OZ7EU) and later used by the club, and a receiver crafted by OZ2KJ in the 1940s, underscores a deep-rooted tradition of technical exploration and experimentation. The club even designed and produced its own award diploma in 1970 for special occasions.

Today, the EDR Roskilde chapter maintains its vitality with weekly meetings every Thursday at 7:30 PM at its premises located at Vestergade 17 (first floor) in Roskilde. While steeped in a rich history, its current operational practices are contemporary. For instance, QSL confirmations for radio contacts are handled exclusively through modern digital platforms such as Logbook of The World (LOTW), Club Log, and eQSL. This seamless blend of historical reverence and modern methodology is characteristic of many enduring amateur radio societies that have adapted through decades of technological change.

The ongoing effort to build out its historical record includes an open call to the community for contributions – historical information, personal accounts, or photographs. This collaborative approach to preserving its legacy aims to ensure that the story of its eight decades is comprehensively documented for future generations of radio amateurs. For those wishing to connect, the club provides its locator (JO65ap) and other operational details for on-air contact.

As OZ9EDR Roskilde celebrates eight decades, its commitment to not only maintaining current activities but also diligently curating its rich past ensures its legacy endures. This active engagement with its own history, from tales of post-war ingenuity to its present-day digital engagement, provides a valuable chronicle of amateur radio's evolution in Denmark and the unwavering spirit of its "experimenting" enthusiasts.