Signal Over the Sea: Mataró’s Long-Wave Dedication to DX and Digital

In Mataró, a seaside town known for its Roman heritage and textile industry, the rhythm of the waves finds a modern counterpart in the rhythm of radio pulses. Here, from a post office box in the 08300 postal district, Joan Aliberas Sans (EA3BYN) quietly oversees a legacy that extends far beyond the Mediterranean coast: the URE Mataró Section — a modest but enduring outpost of global connectivity.

Joan, a licensed amateur radio operator since 1972, is not new to the ether. Over the decades, he has cultivated a deep respect for DX hunting — the sport of long-distance radio communication — and for the ever-evolving world of digital modes, where algorithms and protocols extend the human voice across oceans.

Unlike flashier tech cultures, amateur radio is built on discipline, patience, and curiosity. The Mataró section exemplifies this ethic. Its reach is global, but its structure is reassuringly local. Joan’s style is soft-spoken yet focused, reflecting a generation of hams who prefer signal over noise and conversation over commentary.

The URE Mataró’s presence is not marked by frequent public events or loud proclamations, but rather by a steady commitment to the core values of amateur radio: experimentation, service, and international goodwill. From a quiet Catalonian apartment or hilltop station, messages travel to Japan, Alaska, or Argentina — not for profit, not for influence, but for the joy of contact and the thrill of reception.

As digital modes such as FT8 and JS8Call continue to expand what’s technically possible with low power and modest equipment, Joan and his peers are adapting without abandoning their analog roots. Experience meets innovation, as decades of know-how meet the next wave of digital experimentation.

Mataró’s coastline may shimmer with touristic appeal, but for those listening carefully, a different kind of current flows inland — one that speaks of friendship, frequencies, and a fierce devotion to the art of communication.