Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio

Bringing Ham Radio to Malawi: Don Jones 7Q6M

In this episode of Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio, Kevin Thomas W1DED travels (virtually) to Malawi to hear the remarkable story of Don Jones 7Q6M (K6ZO). From his base at the Embangweni Mission Hospital, Don has spent years operating on HF, mentoring young operators, and helping grow a national amateur radio community in Malawi. We talk about the challenges of building a station where parts and power are scarce, how the Malawi Project became a pipeline for new operators, and how the Jeffrey Dahn Memorial Foundation now carries forward the mission of training African youth in electronics and radio. Along the way, you’ll hear how partnerships with groups like W3HAC and Yasme Foundation, plus support from the broader amateur radio community, have made a lasting impact. Amateur radio isn’t just about contacts—it’s about transforming lives. Don’s story shows how a signal from rural Africa can inspire the next generation of operators worldwide. Sponsored by DX Engineering. From contest superstations to mission-hospital setups in Malawi, DX Engineering provides the gear that keeps amateur radio operators on the air. Trusted by DXers, contesters, and portable operators around the globe. https://www.dxengineering.com

Contest Crew Returns: SO2R Secrets and CQWW Plans

I'm joined by Chris Hurlbut KL9A, Dan Craig N6MJ, Randy Thompson K5ZD, and Bill Fehring W9KKN for another episode of our popular Q5 Contest Crew series—your backstage pass to the minds and methods of ham radio’s top contesters. Randy is deep into a full station rebuild in Ohio, cranes and all, with a shiny new PGXL amp and a garage full of cables he’s still trying to decode. Dan, meanwhile, operated WAE remotely from N2QV, reveling in a seamless K3-to-K3 setup—but bailing to the spa when solar flares ruined the bands. Chris is juggling Montana wildfire prep and fall contest training, while Bill is mid-move from California to Illinois, paring down old projects and dropping 30 pounds ahead of CQP. The main event: SO2R and 2BSIQ. From legacy Microham boxes to rare YCCC kits and elegant DIY rigs from K6AM, the crew breaks down what works, what doesn’t, and why audio switching is more about what’s between your ears than your radios. For newer ops, it’s a masterclass; for veterans, it’s a reminder that even the pros keep refining. They close with fall CQ Worldwide plans—ZF1A, CQ9A, V47T—and WRTC pairings for England, including the headline: Dan and Chris are teaming up again. Let the trash talk commence. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Big thanks to DX Engineering for backing contesters, DXers, and portable ops with the tools and tech to stay loud and competitive across the globe.

How Flyover Country Made a Contesting Giant: Pat Barkey N9RV

Pat Barkey N9RV is a Contest Hall of Famer whose radio journey began with a childhood plan to stay connected to his best friend over a summer apart. What started as a search for CB radios led him instead to a neighbor’s ham shack — and into a lifelong obsession with CW, contesting, and station building. First licensed in 1967, Barkey quickly found himself handling traffic in Michigan and later immersed in the competitive scene at the University of Michigan, surrounded by future contesting greats like K8QKY and N4KG. Now operating from Montana, Barkey is a consummate station builder and CW competitor with four custom-built multi-tower stations to his name. He's one of the rare contesters more likely to be found with a wrench in hand than chasing someone else’s dream station. His career is defined not just by operating skill — though he's racked up plenty of Top Ten finishes and WRTC appearances — but by a deep, practical understanding of the hardware and human connections that power contesting. In May 2025, Barkey was inducted into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame — a recognition not just of his wins, but of his ethos: contesting as a vehicle for friendship, storytelling, and technical curiosity. From his early days in Michigan to his joke-filled rivalry with KL9A in Montana, Barkey embodies the spirit of radiosport — competitive, collaborative, and never quite finished building. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. This episode of Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio is powered by Icom—innovative radios trusted by amateur operators across the globe.

Out and About with Stuart VE9CF: Founder of Historic Sites on the Air

Stuart Crawford VE9CF is… a Canadian ham with a military past, a marketer’s mind, and a newfound mission to tell stories through amateur radio. First licensed in the ‘90s as VE4SRC, Stuart’s callsign changed with each military posting—from Manitoba to Alberta to New Brunswick. But the hobby took a 30-year backseat as career and family took the wheel—until recently, when he returned to radio with fresh focus and a two-letter callsign that nods to his time in the Canadian Forces. What began as simple Parks on the Air activations quickly evolved into something deeper. Stuart realized that many historic locations—churches, forts, battlegrounds—were missing from existing portable ops programs. So he built his own. Historic Sites on the Air (hsota.org) is now a growing initiative that invites hams to activate places that matter—not just for their scenery, but their stories. His gear is classic field-ready: FT-891s, lithium batteries, and antennas chosen for the setting—from a Buddipole to a truck-mounted ATAS. But the real hook isn’t the equipment—it’s the ethos. Whether he’s operating near an 1850s church or a remote Acadian fort, Stuart’s goal is the same: protect the site, share the history, and get a few good contacts while you’re at it.
Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Many thanks to DX Engineering for backing operators who bring ham radio into new places—whether that’s a battlefield in New Brunswick or a lighthouse off Halifax. Their support helps make activations like Stuart’s possible.

Making YOTA Work: Hamvention's Ham of the Year Neil Rapp WB9VPG

Neil Rapp WB9VPG is amateur radio’s original prodigy—and one of its most effective modern mentors. At age five, Neil became the youngest person ever to earn an FCC ham license, a novelty that landed him in the National Enquirer and on the cover of international ham radio magazines. But celebrity wasn’t the point. The point was code, conversation, and community. And Neil has spent a lifetime making sure the next generation of hams can find all three.
As a high school chemistry teacher, Neil infused radio into the curriculum, making the electromagnetic spectrum tangible—and contagious. He also built a thriving afterschool program where kids spun the dial, called CQ, and taught each other. That peer-to-peer ethos now defines Youth on the Air (YOTA) in the Americas, where Neil serves as camp director. Instead of lectures, campers lead. Instead of stars, YOTA cultivates satellites—young operators who can teach, inspire, and run the show.
This episode covers the origins of YOTA in North America, how camps rotate between countries like Canada, the U.S., and potentially Argentina, and what it costs (spoiler: $100). We also meet the backbone of the organization: former campers now running ops, building websites, managing QSL cards, and even directing the camp’s future. “I'm working hard to put myself out of a job,” Neil says. He means it. And it shows.
Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio.
Thanks to DX Engineering for supporting operators young and old, and for fueling the spirit of ham radio through contesting, Parks on the Air, and so much more.

K1DG’s Global Contest Story: 30 Countries and Counting

Doug Grant K1DG is a seasoned contester whose career spans six WRTCs, operations from over 30 countries, and a long-standing USA record in the CQ 160 contest. From his early days in suburban Boston, Doug’s path wound through legendary multi-op stations like W2PV and milestone efforts such as co-founding WWROF and organizing WRTC 2014. His reputation in the contesting community rests not just on scores, but on consistency, mentorship, and a deep commitment to the craft.
Doug’s start came through a Boys' Life crystal radio project in 1965. A spark of curiosity became a full-fledged passion, nudged along by supportive parents and early mentors like K1RX. His operating resume includes record-setting runs from HI8, PJ4, and VP2E, and he’s known for navigating unfamiliar DX stations with calm adaptability. Whether climbing towers or knocking on doors in Guadeloupe with coax in hand, Doug leans into radio with a mix of humility and resolve.
A formative moment came during an early contest, when the top operator in Doug’s local radio club turned to him mid-run and said, “Relax. This is supposed to be fun.” That ethos—balanced by a relentless curiosity—still defines Doug’s approach. Though no longer chasing single-op records, he remains active, engaged, and reflective about contesting’s future.
Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio.
Thanks to DX Engineering for backing Q5 and for championing contesters, DXpeditioners, and everyday operators pushing the limits of portable and fixed stations alike.

The Embroiderer Behind Ham Radio’s Coolest Gear: Bart SQ1K

Bart Bzymek SQ1K is a Polish ham radio operator who’s stitched together two worlds—DXing and design—into a life as precise as the embroidery he’s known for. He began as a shortwave listener in the 1990s and quickly climbed through Poland’s licensing system, earning his first-class ticket by mastering CW. A dedicated contester, Bart has logged serious time on-air, including stints as a guest op with the Polish HQ team at IARU.
But it’s his embroidery business—launched with a single-needle machine as a side hobby—that’s made him a go-to figure in the global ham community. Since 2014, Bart and his wife have run a custom embroidery shop focused exclusively on amateur radio. With multiple machines and a worldwide client base, they create everything from personalized polos to DXpedition gear—each piece thoughtfully designed and precisely stitched. He’s outfitted some of the most prominent expeditions, including the striking 3Y0K Bouvet logo. In this episode, Kevin W1DED and Bart SQ1K formally announce a new partnership to launch official Q5 merchandise, bringing Bart’s craftsmanship into the heart of the show. Bart’s story is a reminder that amateur radio thrives on passion—and sometimes, a really good hoodie.
Join the conversation, subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio, and order your Q5 apparel today.
Thanks to DX Engineering for backing hams around the globe—from park activators to DX chasers—with gear that delivers when it counts.

Inside the World Wide Radio Operators Foundation: Tim Duffy K3LR

Tim Duffy K3LR is a powerhouse in the contesting world—CEO of DX Engineering, founder of Contest University, host of the formidable K3LR station—but here, he joins us as the chairman of the World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF), the engine behind some of competitive ham radio’s best infrastructure and largest radiosport contests. If you’ve received a plaque from CQ WW, trusted your submitted log to be reviewed properly, or been impressed with fast results turnaround, WWROF, with many dedicated volunteers, made it happen. This is the story of how a handful of contesting experts turned fragmented efforts into a global support system for events like CQ WW, CQ WPX, and many others.
Founded in 2009, WWROF began by filling in the gaps: managing contest logistics, streamlining communications, and ensuring continuity for legacy contests. Under Tim’s leadership—and backed by an impressive board of directors—it evolved into something more nimble and visionary. Whether it's mailing awards with record speed, funding youth programs like YOTA camps around the world, or stepping up after disasters like the hurricane in Puerto Rico, WWROF delivers—quietly, effectively, and with zero paid staff. One standout project: their backing of KC2G’s propagation tools, now essential to operators across the spectrum.
Beyond contesting, Tim sees WWROF’s role expanding: finding common ground with Parks on the Air activities, integrating digital modes like FT8, and staying agile in a rapidly changing hobby. He’s not afraid to acknowledge contest community debates—assisted vs. unassisted, real-time scoring—and welcomes them as signs of a dynamic, evolving culture. At its core, WWROF isn’t just a foundation. It’s a model of how small but experienced teams can help shape the future of amateur radio.
Check out the WWROF website at WWROF.org.
Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio.
Thanks to DX Engineering for their steadfast support—not just of Q5, but of youth operators, contesters, and everyday DXers across the globe. Their investment in the ham community makes conversations like this possible.

Tom Georgens 8P5A: Inside the Mind of a Ham Radio CEO

Tom Georgens W2SC, also known as 8P5A, has a wall of plaques that reflect not just his victories—but the decades of discipline, grit, and quiet precision behind them. While running a Fortune 500 company, he built a formidable contest station in Barbados, troubleshooting in the tropical heat and chasing perfection from one contest season to the next.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Tom shares how he went from a borrowed rental shack to designing and operating a world-class station of his own. He speaks openly about the emotional lows—twice collapsing before the end of a major contest—and the persistence that brought him back to win CQ WW SSB outright. This isn’t just a story about radios and rate sheets. It’s about risk, resilience, and the discipline to rebuild when most would walk away.
Tom also takes us inside the 8P5A station—engineered for “no knobs” operation and built for efficiency at scale. From writing custom software to wrangling antennas in the rain, he explains how contesting sharpened his leadership, kept him grounded under pressure, and still pushes him to evolve. His reflections on preparation, intuition, and the future of ham radio are as thoughtful as they are hard-won.
Whether you’re chasing plaques, personal bests, or simply trying to understand what drives the best—this one’s worth your time. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio.
Thanks to DX Engineering for supporting the operators who never stop pushing—whether they’re building from scratch, rebuilding after storms, or reimagining what a contest station can be.

The Best and Worst Radios for Field Day? W3LPL and K3RA

After our deep dive into W3AO’s record-breaking Field Day operations, we came back with one simple question for Frank W3LPL and Rol K3RA: What radios actually get the job done—and which ones are banned—at Field Day? Their answers might surprise you.