Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio

Contest Crew: Episode 002 with host W1DED

Seasoned ham radio contesters, Chris Hurlbut KL9A and Dan Craig N6MJ, were able to join me late Monday night for our weekly Contest Crew discussion. They responded to questions posed by a couple of relative newcomers to the contest world, N0GJW and M6ECG. Per usual, their answers and perspective are useful reminders of what to do, and not to do, when working the pile-ups. Despite being undisputed champs, these two are also well known for their humor, humility and willingness to help the rest of us improve our skills. Join me for this second episode of the Contest Crew and subscribe if you like what you hear. PS. Randy K5ZD and Scott K0MD couldn't join us this week but they'll be back for future Contest Crew conversations.

Behind the Scene at W8S Swains Island DXpedition: Max George NG7M

Max George NG7M was one of the ten W8S ham radio operators to activate Swains Island in October 2023. Despite elaborate planning that spanned years and continents, their path included damaged crates, missing gear, delayed boat transport, debilitating illness, relentless mosquitoes and unbearable, sweltering heat. With thousands of QSO's in their logs, and the team safely back home, Max talks about some of the highs and lows of the 2023 Swains Island DXpedition. If you've ever wondered what needed to happen to get W8S in your log, listen to Max tell his story in this short video interview.

Rising Star: Philipp Springer DK6SP

Philipp Springer, DK6SP, was only 10 years old when he was first licensed (2008) and immediately became hooked on ham radio contesting. The specific interest took him to the 2018 World Radiosport Team Championship in Germany where he operated as Y82D. Although Philipp continues to study for his Master of Science degree in Logistics and Digitalization, he finds time to engage in ham radio leadership in very meaning ways. He is currently a board director of the World Wide Radio Operators Foundation, the president of the German DX Foundation, and a contest committee member with Youngsters on the Air. He’s also been the chair of the IARU Region I Youth Working Group. Philipp has some interesting, and very positive, perspective about youth in ham radio that focuses on networking and developing relationships with older amateur radio operators. Beyond contesting, Philipp has a particular interest in operating from DX locations and has an impressive list of countries where he has operated including 9A, 9J, A4, EI, ES, GW, P4, PJ2, PJ4, W8 and Z6. Listening to Philipp speak, and considering his oversized role in this hobby, will leave you encouraged about the future of ham radio. Thank you for watching, and subscribing, to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio.

Geochron Maps the World: Patrick Bolan KJ7ZSU

Established in 1964, long before the internet revolutionized our world, the mechanical Geochron world clock stood as a marvel. It elegantly anticipated sunrise and sunset times worldwide, while also displaying the current global time. Notably, President Ronald Reagan presented a Geochron to Mikhail Gorbachev, symbolizing American innovation. This remarkable timepiece even made an appearance in the movie "The Hunt for Red October." Despite the internet's widespread influence, Geochron continued to produce a limited quantity of mechanical clocks. It was during this era that Patrick Nolan, KJ7ZSU, found himself in possession of one of these clocks in need of repair. To his surprise, he discovered that they were manufactured not far from his home. This revelation and subsequent interactions inspired him to acquire the company. In this interview with Patrick Bolan, we delve into his journey and challenges as he transitioned the company into the digital age, expanding its presence in ham radio enthusiasts' setups worldwide. Learn more about how the digital Geochron now tracks the grey line, satellites, QSOs, propagation, and more, catering to ham radio operators' evolving needs.

Why The ARRL Matters: Bob Inderbitzen NQ1R

Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, serves as the Director of Marketing and Innovation at the ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio. Bob has been a valuable member of the ARRL team since 1991, accumulating three decades of experience at the Newington headquarters. His extensive background uniquely qualifies him to provide insights into the organization's past and future trajectory. Bob is credited with developing the Five Pillars of the ARRL, which encompass Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership. His unwavering commitment to the membership's best interests is evident. When addressing current questions and controversies regarding necessary changes at the ARRL, Bob consistently emphasizes the organization's effective promotion and protection of the amateur radio hobby.

Gerry’s Ham Radio Life: 48 Years of W1VE

There are many hams who can claim five decades of amateur radio but there are few who have been immersed in so many facets of the hobby as Gerry Hull, W1VE. Gerry is active throughout his native Canada with several VE callsigns, he's well known for his expertise in the remote ham radio space, he's consulted for and operated the AA7JV Radio-in-a-Box project, and was instrumental in creating the online contest scoreboard concept. He's a competitive contester, consummate DXer, technical writer, a long-time member of the Yankee Clipper Contest Club, and more. In this interview, Gerry talks specifically about his recent CQ WW CW multi-op contest effort at the Maine superstation, K1LZ, and then we do a speed round of questions that cover some of his nearly 50 years in ham radio.

How They Win: Ham Radio Contest Secrets from N6MJ and KL9A

Dan Craig N6MJ and Chris Hurlbutt KL9A are phenoms in the ham radio contesting world. They’ve competed 9 times at the World Radiosport Team Championships and have been on the podium together twice - Gold in 2014 and Bronze in 2018. I caught up with Dan and Chris just days after their 1st (N6MJ) and 2nd (KL9A) place finishes in the 2023 CQ Worldwide CW contest in the very competitive Single Operator High Power All Band category. For that contest, Dan traveled to ZF1A in Grand Cayman and Chris to TI7W in Costa Rica. They are open about their operating strengths and weaknesses but especially talk about the preparation and station excellence that are required to win. There is much to learn from Dan and Chris' commitment to ham radio, their high level of operating skills, and a reminder that at the end of the day we all share a fun and camaraderie filled hobby.

Captivated by Contesting: WRTC Youth Winner Kristers Misa YL3JA

Kris Misa YL3JA has been interested in ham radio contesting since he was first licensed as a teenager. In fact, for years his only QSO's were in contests. Kris has trained with some of the best in Europe while watching them do their magic at multi-op efforts at D4C, ES5TV, ES7A and being mentored by giants such as Roly LY4A and Tonno ES5TV. When Kris attempted to qualify for the WRTC 2002 in Italy, and fell short, these same ham radio peers cheered him on and encouraged him to compete in the Youth category. Andrea IK4VET opened doors for Kris and his WRTC teammate Artem, UR5YKO, to come to Italy to train for the event. The rest is history as Kris and Artem went on to win the Youth category in WRTC 2022. Kris is an exemplar of the kind of young person, given the right support and encouragement, who can make a mark in ham radio today and far into the future. Let's advocate for more Kris Misa's.

Sites and Stations WRTC 2026: Andy Cook G4PIQ

Andy Cook, G4PIQ, got his start in amateur radio contesting with competitive weak signal VHF. In an operating category where a single dB can make or break success, Andy honed his skills in station design. He took those skills into HF when his friend, and operating buddy, Bob Carpenter G4BAH (SK), decided that the M6T contest station needed to be a reality. It’s no surprise that WRTC 2026 Chariman, Mark Haynes M0DXR, called upon Andy to be the Director of Sites and Stations for the first World Radiosport Team Championship to be hosted by England. In this interview, Andy talks about his formative years in ham radio and the specific, yet evolving, plans for WRTC 2026.

Raising the Bar: Dr. Scott Wright K0MD

Dr. Scott Wright is a cardiologist with the Mayo Clinic and a member of the team that developed the use of convalescent plasma as one of the first treatments for Covid-19. That significant contribution to world health during the great pandemic, combined with his history as a DXer, serious contester, and stint as the editor of the National Contest Journal, earned Scott an induction to the CQ Hall of Fame. In this interview, we discuss Scott's first license at the age of 12, the Heathkit HW-101 that he started with, his newfound love for the Elecraft line of ham radio gear, DXpeditions to Chile and Turks and Caicos, the thrill and intensity of contesting and much more. When it comes to representing the ham radio hobby professionally and with enthusiasm, Scott has set a very high bar.