Code name “Transmitter”. PRL Security Service towards Radio Solidarity in Świdnik in the years 1983-1989

Abstract

In the years 1983-1988 in Świdnik, there operated an underground radio station called Solidarity, which during its several-minute broadcasts gave the listeners information about the real situation in the country, informed about the activities of the opposition in Świdnik and the repressions of the Security Service against the oppositionists. Security Service officers had been trying to stop the broadcast of the underground radio station for 5 years. For this purpose, various methods were used. Among others, a special apparatus was used to track down and identify transmitters, information from secret collaborators and data obtained through observation of people suspected of underground activity were also used. It turned out that the most effective method was the introduction of a secret collaborator to the radio community, which led to the seizure of the transmitter by the Security Service officers and to the arrest of persons broadcasting the programs.