The Restless Life of OK1RI and the Rise of CN3A

  Jiri Sanda OK1RI is a legend of European contesting, and in this conversation, we follow his path from clandestine club station operations under Communism to building one of the world’s most formidable multi-multi contest stations at CN3A. Along the way, we get the full sweep of postwar European ham radio: the political barriers, the VHF culture of the 1970s, and the relentless competition among national stations in an era before the internet shrunk the globe. Jiri’s story is defined by restlessness and reinvention. He moved from VHF field days in Czechoslovakia to high-stakes single-band competitions, before turning toward the camaraderie and complexity of multi-ops. His turning point came after one grueling 40-meter CW session: with trophies in hand and his back aching, he simply asked, “Why?” From that moment, the mission became collective—teams, builds, logistics, antennas that could survive Saharan sand and Atlantic salt. His stations popped up in Czech hills, on Gambian beaches, and finally in Morocco, where CN3A now lives. Technically, this episode is dense with gold: hauling 1,500 kilos of gear into West Africa; why limestone soil makes verticals impossible; running QRP with 80-meter yagis just for fun; and why they built five over five over five stacks pointed at Europe from Morocco. And the human detail? A guard in Gambia paid 70 cents a night. A beach overrun with goats. Tower collapses. A rented station where the rotator was locked pointing north. It’s all here. Thanks to Icom for powering Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Whatever your corner of the hobby, there’s an Icom built for you. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio.