Best Signal Between Vineyards and Rivers

MÓRA D’EBRE, CATALONIA — In a territory shaped by vineyards, limestone ridges and the slow flow of the Ebro, radio waves find their own kind of poetry. The Secció de la Ribera d’Ebre, Terra Alta i Priorat, under the seasoned leadership of EA3TV – Ramon Pascual Urgell, offers a compelling glimpse into how amateur radio blends technology with topography.

Here, signal propagation takes on new dimensions. The elevated terrain of Priorat, combined with rural quietude in Terra Alta and the moisture-laden banks of the Ebre, provides an enviable natural lab for experimentation. Ramon, with decades of experience and a reputation for approachable leadership, has positioned the section as a quiet powerhouse for local and contesting activities.

A Radio Culture Rooted in Terrain

While some radio clubs thrive on urban density, EA3TV's domain thrives on space and silence. From HF contests to UHF repeater experiments, the region’s unique conditions foster creativity and clear reception. Club activities prioritize hands-on learning, and members often engage in field day operations with spectacular views, making ham radio here both technically enriching and aesthetically rewarding.

Pascual, a longtime operator and mentor, leads with a minimalist ethos: good gear, clean installs, and strong signal discipline. His open-door approach (figuratively, and often literally during events) encourages both veteran hams and younger experimenters to learn from one another.

A Section With Signal and Soul

Though small in number, the section's operators have big ears and stronger voices—often showing up in logs across Europe during contests or SOTA activations from the hills of La Fatarella to the cliffs above Siurana. EA3TV’s callsign is well known among Mediterranean DXers, and it’s not uncommon to find the group mentioned in IARU bulletins and regional reports.

The spirit here is self-reliance, camaraderie, and curiosity—qualities well suited to a region that prizes quiet determination over noise.