W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio

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

DXpedition Pilot at TX5S: Glenn Petri KE4KY

Glenn Petri, KE4KY, has had a long, nearly 50-year history in ham radio, starting with his novice license in 1975. His journey through the hobby saw him participating in significant DXpeditions such as to Campbell Island ZL9HR and Mellish Reef VK9MT, becoming an expert on the role of DXpedition Pilots, and speaking at ham radio conferences such as Visalia. In this interview, Glenn focuses on the expectations of a DXpedition pilot, a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of the hobby. He challenges the conventional belief that pilots are merely logistical support and advocates for their integral role in real-time propagation feedback and operational optimization. Glenn opines that the best DXpedition pilots blend DXpedition experience with highly effective communication techniques and supported by tools like Groups.io and Starlink. Glenn has also turned his attention to mentoring and supporting the next generation of ham operators, emphasizing the importance of community and collaboration in the hobby. Please join us for the conversation, and if you like what you hear, please subscribe to W1DED Worldwide. 73, Kevin W1DED.

IARU HF World Championship: Contest Crew

After a brief hiatus, the Contest Crew is back with their experiences, analysis, and tips from the mid-July IARU HF World Championship. Despite the summer heat and distractions, Bill W9KKN, Dan N6MJ, and Randy K5ZD put in the work to make this annual contest memorable and boost their WRTC '26 qualifying totals. Their insights will provide valuable tips for any contester at any level, helping you improve your score in future competitions. I hope you can join us for this episode and add us to your watch list in the weeks ahead. 73, Kevin W1DED

HF Contesting for Technician Class Ham Radio Operators: Contest Crew

“What’s your best advice to a Technician class ham radio operator who wants to get involved in HF contesting?” That was the question posed to the Contest Crew and, despite the limitations on Technician Class licensees, Randy Thompson K5ZD, Christopher Hurlbut KL9A and Bill Fehring W9KKN, provide a clear path for techs to get started. If you're a Technician class and want to learn more about how you can take your first steps into the exciting world of ham radio contesting, watch the show. For all others, join us for the usual friendly repartee between "Team Contest Crew" and to learn what is on their short term contesting horizon.

Software Engineer WO5T is On the Air: Contests, DXpeditions and Parks on the Air

Sam Mauldin, WO5T, is a young and accomplished ham radio operator who has rapidly ascended in the hobby since getting licensed in 2022. In this interview, Sam shares his journey, from his initial interest sparked by family tradition and friends, to his extensive involvement in Parks on the Air (POTA) and contesting. He discusses his equipment preferences, including his go-to KX2 transceiver and DX Commander vertical antenna, and the unique challenges of operating portable and in contests. Sam's experiences range from setting up in parks to participating in multi-single DX operations, including a significant trip to Bonaire. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, adaptability, and community support in ham radio. As a software engineer, Sam also touches on how new technologies might shape the future of the hobby while expressing his preference for its traditional aspects. This engaging conversation highlights Sam's achievements and provides valuable insights for both new and veteran ham radio operators, inspiring listeners to explore the diverse and dynamic world of amateur radio.