EA5RKO: From CB Roots to Contest-Ready Heights in Ontinyent

ONTINYENT, ALICANTE — In the quiet corridors of the old RENFE station in Ontinyent, every Friday night from 8 p.m. until midnight, a different kind of journey takes place. No trains arrive. No tickets are issued. Instead, a tight-knit group of amateur radio operators connects with voices across continents, guided by Juan Fernando Llopis Enguix (EA5OK) — though friends know him simply as Juanfer.

A Veteran of the Airwaves

Juanfer’s radio story began not with formal training, but with passion and a CB rig, back in 1988. Like many Spanish amateurs, his path traced the now-familiar route from DXing on 27 MHz to eventually earning an EB and EC license in 1995. With regulatory changes came the upgrade to EA5HUR, and today, proudly, EA5OK.

Three decades on, his enthusiasm remains palpable. Not only has he stayed active, but he’s also helped maintain and lead a URE regional section that bridges analog legacy with modern ambition.

A Station that Commands Respect

While many club stations limp along with aging gear, EA5RKO in Ontinyent boasts a setup that would make many contesters envious:

• YAESU FT-710 & FT-891

• ALINCO DR-638 for dual-band action

• ACOM 1000 amplifier for that extra punch

• LZ 12-7 antenna covering seven bands from 10m to 40m

• Yagi arrays for 50 & 70 MHz

• Diamond X200 vertical

• Full-size wire dipoles for 60m, 80m, and 160m

This is not a museum of old gear—it’s a modern, active contest and DX station, carefully tuned for performance.

An Open Door on Fridays

The Ontinyent section meets in its converted railway station, providing a rustic yet atmospheric backdrop to late-night QSOs. Fridays (except holidays) are when the station comes alive, with members gathering from 20:00 to 24:00 for on-air activity, technical discussions, and the irreplaceable camaraderie that defines local radio clubs.

It’s a model of what grassroots radio should be: accessible, welcoming, and equipped to keep pace with a rapidly evolving hobby.

A Legacy of Commitment

Despite the digital shift, EA5RKO maintains an analog soul. The station’s equipment and structure reflect a deep respect for the traditions of amateur radio, even as it embraces new technologies and contest modes. Under Juanfer’s leadership, the club is not just surviving—it is thriving, one Friday night at a time.

So if you're spinning the dial on 40 meters or scanning 6-meter openings, listen carefully—you just might catch EA5OK or EA5RKO lighting up the ionosphere from a repurposed railway station in southern Spain.