Rostov Region: On the Air from the Don

Where the River Don rolls towards the Sea of Azov, the Rostov Region has long been a conduit for trade, ideas—and radio waves. From the industrial city of Shakhty to the port of Taganrog, the local branch of the Union of Radio Amateurs of Russia (SRR) operates a dense network of operators and repeaters, binding together towns scattered across the steppe.

A Networked Leadership

At the centre is Vyacheslav Svateev (RC6L), based in Shakhty, who chairs both the regional office and its council. His deputy, Oleg Belov (R7LP), keeps VHF roundtables running each Friday night on 145.725 MHz, while Natalya Abadeeva (R6LII) serves as the council’s meticulous secretary. The bench of municipal leaders stretches across the map—from Vladimir Drozdov (RQ6M) in Rostov-on-Don to Andrey Kharchenko (UB7M) in Taganrog—mirroring the spread of the region’s radio coverage.

Repeaters Across the Steppe

Four main VHF repeaters dot the landscape: two in Rostov-on-Don, plus others in Zverevo and Volgodonsk. They keep the net alive over flat plains, industrial sprawl, and the river delta, extending coverage far into neighbouring districts. The QSL bureau, under Sergey Lifar (RQ7L) in Millerovo, ensures that the paper trail of amateur radio—confirmation cards—travels almost as fast as the signals themselves.

On-Air Culture

The region’s operators are not just connected—they are organised. Each municipal branch maintains a qualification and examination board, ensuring a steady inflow of trained and licensed hams. Sports and contesting are encouraged, particularly under the watch of Alexander Girenko (R7NK), deputy chairman for sporting affairs.

The Don’s Radio Identity

The Rostov Region’s radio community reflects its geography: broad, open, and interconnected. Signals leap across the steppe with ease, bridging coal-mining towns, riverside ports, and agricultural villages. In a place where distance once meant isolation, a call sign now brings the far side of the Don within arm’s reach.