Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio

Contesting from the Pacific Northwest USA: Mitch Mason K7RL

Mitch Mason K7RL is one of the most accomplished ham radio contesters in the Pacific Northwest. Operating from his station on Camano Island, Washington, Mitch has mastered the unique geographic and propagation challenges of the region. With decades of experience, he’s built an impressive station featuring a 135-foot rotating Bertha pole that is supplemented with a second tower. Those are outfitted with a tribander and stacked mono-banders in addition to what Mitch calls his “JA tree antennas” allowing him to excel in both domestic and international contests. In this interview, Mitch shares how his technical expertise and dedication to improving his station have led to multiple WRTC qualifications. Whether it’s single-op marathon sessions or teaming up for multi-two entires, Mitch’s ability to adapt and overcome the limitations of his location is truly inspiring. Tune in for an inside look at Mitch’s ham radio contesting journey, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join the conversation.

Ask the Crew: Ham Radio Contesting Insights from the Contest Crew

The Contest Crew— Randy Thompson K5ZD, Daniel Craig N6MJ, Christopher Hurlbut KL9A, and Bill Fehring W9KKN—have operated from some of the best contest stations in the world. They’ve contributed to designing and building top-tier stations, explored and implemented new technologies, honed their operating skills through persistent practice and hundreds of contest entries, and won both single-operator and multi-operator categories in major worldwide competitions. Three of the Crew are past WRTC competitors, with N6MJ and KL9A having won the WRTC 2014. Currently, N6MJ and K5ZD are ranked #1 and #2, respectively, in the U.S. qualifying for WRTC 2026. Simply put, the Contest Crew knows contesting inside and out. In this episode, they answer audience questions submitted over the past several days. This was a fun format, and we’re sure to do it again soon. Thanks for watching, and please subscribe to the channel. 73, Kevin, W1DED

HF Operating for Technicians: Tim Shoppa N3QE

Tim Shoppa, N3QE, is back with us to explore how technician-class ham radio operators can expand their operating options. A veteran contester, Tim offers practical insights into technician license holders' opportunities in contests like the ARRL 10-meter and by learning contesting skills in the Parks on the Air program. He also touches on the potential impact of the ARRL's 2018 Technician Enhancement proposal, which could open up new HF privileges. If you're a technician curious about stepping up your game, Tim shares valuable advice on making the leap.Join the conversation, and don’t forget to subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio for more great content.

Inside the Epic CY9C St. Paul Island Ham Radio DXpedition 2024

Experience the CY9C DXpedition on the rugged and remote St. Paul Island, located off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. In this exclusive on-island interview, team member Craig Thompson, K9CT, provides an in-depth look at St. Paul Island, ranked 50th on the DXCC most-wanted list. He discusses the island’s challenging weather, its historical significance, and the extraordinary efforts required to reach this isolated location, including the rare use of helicopters. Craig introduces the dedicated team of operators and details the radio and antenna capabilities driving the CY9C operation. Gain insights into the leadership and teamwork that keep the mission on track in such a demanding environment. As the DXpedition enters its final days, the team encourages radio operators worldwide to make contact with CY9C before the operation concludes.

Inside the State QSO Party Challenge: Dave WN4AFP and Anthony K8ZT

Dave Edmonds, WN4AFP, has had a long, 48-year history in amateur radio, culminating in his deep involvement with State QSO Parties, where he serves as the South Carolina State QSO Party Administrator. After rediscovering his passion for ham radio in 2013, Dave shifted his focus toward State QSO Parties, challenging the conventional belief that high-power stations are necessary to succeed in contests. He advocates for a strategy-first approach, emphasizing the importance of preparation and understanding propagation. His knowledge and experience, supported by his modest setup of an Icom 7300 and an 80-meter off-center fed dipole, demonstrate that success can come from well-executed planning rather than sheer power. Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, brings a unique perspective with his 43-year history in the hobby. Initially driven by his love for DXing, Anthony has become a QRP (low power) operator, successfully logging over 115,000 QSOs (contacts) with minimal power. His approach to contesting, particularly in the State QSO Parties, is all about precision and strategy, making him a master of “search and pounce” techniques. Anthony’s work in promoting youth involvement in amateur radio and his dedication to providing educational presentations further highlight his commitment to the hobby. In this interview, Dave and Anthony delve into the culture surrounding the 47 State QSO Parties held each year, providing insights into how these contests offer a unique blend of strategy, community, and challenge. They discuss the rise of the State QSO Party Challenge, which has revitalized participation by creating a year-long contest series that ties together these individual events, likening it to a NASCAR cup series for ham radio. The discussion offers valuable perspectives for both seasoned operators and those new to the hobby, particularly in understanding how smaller, state-focused contests can offer just as much excitement and satisfaction as the larger international events. Please join us for the conversation, and if you like what you hear, please subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio. 73, Kevin Thomas.

Contest Expedition Style: N6DE & NN6U

Within ham radio, two seemingly distinct communities—contesters and Parks on the Air (POTA) activators—are discovering a surprising synergy. Contesters, known for their intense, high-skill competitions, and POTA enthusiasts, who relish the challenge of operating from remote, natural locations, are finding common ground that offers new opportunities for both. Dean Wood, N6DE, a seasoned contester and chairman of the California QSO Party, and John Owens, NN6U, a passionate POTA activator and contester, discuss how portable operations are breaking down traditional barriers to contesting. With the accessibility of portable radios, antennas, and power sources, setting up a station in the field has never been easier, allowing operators to escape the noise and restrictions of home stations. Importantly, many contests are offering expedition and overlay categories that encourage portable contesting. John’s experience of operating from California’s state parks and Dean’s analysis of terrain advantages highlight how strategic POTA locations can offer competitive benefits, such as lower noise floors and enhanced signal propagation. This new approach is not only making contesting more accessible but also bringing a fresh sense of adventure to the hobby. This interview with Dean and John explores how state QSO parties, like the California QSO Party, are encouraging POTA activators to participate, offering special awards and incentives. As more POTA enthusiasts dip their toes into contesting, and contesters embrace the flexibility of portable operations, a new niche in ham radio contesting is emerging—one that combines the thrill of competition with the joy of outdoor exploration. Join me for this conversation with Dean Wood N6DE and John Owens NN6U and, if you enjoy the interview, please subscribe. 73, Kevin Thomas W1DED

Deep Dive into RBN and Online Scoreboard: Contest Crew

The Contest Crew reminds us that the contest isn't over when the last QSO is logged. As the holders of the US #1 and #2 positions in the CQ WPX CW, Randy K5ZD, Dan N6MJ, and Bill W9KKN could be relaxing and enjoying their success. Instead, they are busy reviewing data from the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), analyzing the Raw Scores and associated public logs, and drawing lessons from the Contest Online Scoreboard. In this episode, the Contest Crew guides us through their data analysis process, how it might influence future contest strategies, and the improvements they are considering for their stations before the next big event. Thank you for joining us and subscribing to the channel. 73, Kevin W1DED

ARRL Field Day: Is it a Contest or Not? The Contest Crew Opines

The Contest Crew agrees that it is not officially a contest, but as Randy K5ZD likes to say, "if there is stack ranking, it sure looks like a contest!" Field Day takes place every year on the fourth full weekend of June, and in 2024 that's June 22-23. Randy K5ZD, along with Chris KL9A and Bill W9KKN, discuss the long-standing tradition of Field Day, sharing their personal experiences and offering tips on how best to enjoy this non-contest event. They also talk about the fun and camaraderie, not to mention the great food. Join us for this light-hearted discussion about setting up radio gear, towers, and antennas in nature, all in the spirit of camaraderie and a bit of (quiet) competition. Listen to the end for a bonus track by N2NT.

Distributed Category Tech: AA0Z, KD9SLV and the Contest Crew

The IARU HF World Championship took place the second weekend of July. In this contest, every IARU member entity puts their headquarters station on the air, with each counting as a multiplier. Special rules allow for IARU member HQ stations to operate from multiple sites. The IARU Headquarters station NU1AW/0 did just that. Under the leadership of Ward Silver, N0AX, and with the technical expertise of Kyle Krieg, AA0Z, and Connor Dickey, KD9LSV, they put nine physical stations on the air. Kyle and Connor joined the Contest Crew to discuss how they accomplished this and how everything turned out. As a bonus, Kyle shared some additional ideas about the future of contesting. Join us for this episode of the Contest Crew, and if you like what you see, please subscribe. 73, Kevin, W1DED

Antenna Design, Orography and HFTA: Claudio Capelli I4LEC

Claudio Capelli, I4LEC, has had a long, 30-year history in competitive HF contesting that ended with his successful 2010 WPX SSB effort from NQ4I in Georgia. After that contest, Claudio abruptly shifted his interests toward other facets of the hobby; primarily, tailored antenna setups based on specific locations and orography, challenging the conventional belief that more elements, longer booms, and higher antennas are always better. He advocated for a "do more with less" approach, ensuring each setup was optimized for its environment. His knowledge and experience with antenna design and selection, buttressed by HFTA and extensive experimentation, are impressive. Claudio has also turned his attention to SDR platforms, rig performance and measurements, and innovative antenna designs. The discussion provides unique insights and perspectives, inspiring us all to delve further into the technical aspects of ham radio that contribute to improved performance. Please join us for the conversation, and if you like what you hear, please subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio. 73, Kevin W1DED