Why membership in BFRA is necessary and beneficial. You can familiarize yourself with the main reasons in the text below.

The main role of BFRA is to unite, assist, and support Bulgarian radio amateurs when needed, and it is a matter of honor and solidarity for every Bulgarian radio amateur to be part of this organization.

BFRA is a full and very active member of IARU, contributing a portion of the collected membership fees to the international amateur radio organization. IARU is the leading international amateur radio body, recognized worldwide and protecting the rights of radio amateurs. In recent years, interest in amateur radio frequencies has grown significantly, and IARU is the only organization whose voice is heard at ITU, working tirelessly and at significant expense to protect the amateur radio frequency spectrum.

As a proven top-level organizer, IARU regularly entrusts BFRA with hosting top-tier events such as European and World Championships in ARDF and HST, as well as the highest-level forum ever held in Bulgaria – the IARU R1 Conference in 2014. In 2019, we were hosts of YOTA 2019. These events, as has often been mentioned, have been essential to BFRA’s survival over the years.

BFRA works closely with the CRC and plays a key role in developing and updating the amateur radio regulatory framework. BFRA was the initiator and driving force behind the approval of operations on new bands, the most attractive being 70 MHz and 5 MHz, as well as the expansion of existing ones. This process took about two years and required coordination between many institutions, including CRC, State Agency for National Security, Ministry of Transport, and others. Thanks to BFRA’s efforts, the power limit during contests was increased to 1 kW (previously limited to only 300 W). Currently, new Technical Requirements regulating amateur radio activities are being prepared, with BFRA actively working to ensure very favorable provisions for Bulgarian radio amateurs.

BFRA operates one of the best-functioning QSL bureaus in Europe. Although financially independent in recent years, the federation has always provided direct support to the bureau, either financially or by transporting and receiving QSL cards during international events such as the Friedrichshafen Ham Radio Exhibition and others.

Thanks to BFRA’s efforts and its active members, a substantial amateur radio repeater network has been built for the needs of all radio amateurs. The main repeaters are located at key strategic points in Bulgaria, based on an agreement between NURTS and BFRA. This network was built and operates without BFRA spending any financial resources – it is entirely the result of donations and the enthusiasm of fellow amateurs.

The federation provides and will continue to provide methodological and administrative assistance to BFRA member clubs, monitoring the regulatory framework and informing them about changes and opportunities to secure funding from local authorities. This, of course, must be initiated by the clubs.

Last but not least, BFRA assists all radio amateurs who need administrative protection in various cases. BFRA always listens to the opinions and recommendations of radio amateurs, and anyone who has made an official inquiry has received a reply. However, dialogue is always better and more constructive when the respective colleague has shown their solidarity by being a BFRA member through their local club.

It is also important to mention the direct benefits from BFRA’s licensing as a sports organization.

In general, the sports license officially allows BFRA to:

• Regulate and organize the national championships in HF, VHF, ARDF, and High-Speed Telegraphy;
• Nominate the champions for the respective sports and age categories;
• Award titles to athletes, coaches, and sports officials;
• Develop and implement specific regulatory, methodological, and administrative rules for the respective sport;
• Select and prepare national teams and represent the Republic of Bulgaria at international sports competitions and forums;
• Provide opportunities for local clubs to secure funding from public budgets;
• Although in recent years the Ministry of Youth and Sports has not provided BFRA with direct financial support (the best period was 2011–2013), the ministry still provides all other forms of administrative support. It is uncertain whether funding will resume in the future, but one thing is certain – without a sports license, BFRA and its clubs cannot rely on any state support.
• Based on the sports license and the legal rights it provides, organized sports events are not considered commercial activities. For the past 20 years, this activity has been a key factor in the federation’s survival.
• Clubs are perhaps the only place where young radio amateurs can experience the magic of radio, surrounded by more experienced operators. All of us started in clubs, and we know very well that without them, the hobby cannot thrive.