W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio

Northeast HamXposition: Bob K1IW and New England's Largest Ham Radio Gathering

Get ready to dive into the heart of the Northeast's biggest ham radio event—HamXposition 2024 in Marlboro, MA. In this episode, we sit down with Bob DeMattia, K1IW, the chairman of HamXposition, to explore the history and evolution of this premier event. Originally known as the Boxborough event, HamXposition has found new life in Marlboro, boasting better parking, more conference rooms, and a central location. This year’s event promises to be the best yet, with over 2,000 attendees expected. Bob walks us through what makes HamXposition a must-attend for hams of all ages and experience levels. From the mini Contest University to a wide array of educational forums, vendor exhibits, and a dedicated youth program, there’s something for everyone. Plus, don't miss the stellar lineup of speakers, including contesting experts like Tim Duffy K3LR, Randy Thompson K5ZD, Gerry Hull W1VE, and the renowned Space Weather Woman, Dr. Tamitha Skov. Bob also highlights the crucial volunteer efforts that keep this event running smoothly. Whether you’re a seasoned ham or new to the hobby, HamXposition offers a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and enjoy the camaraderie that makes ham radio special. Tune in for the conversation, and if you enjoy it, please subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio.  73, Kevin Thomas W1DED

Unlocking the World of DXing: Mark WC3W’s DX Marathon Success Story

Mark Wohlschlegel, WC3W, has had a distinguished 61-year journey in the world of ham radio, leading to his leadership of the DX Marathon program. Since taking the reins in 2022, Mark has overseen remarkable growth in the program, with participation increasing by over 50% in just the past year alone. His strategic focus on making the DX Marathon accessible to all hams—regardless of their equipment or experience—has revitalized the program and brought new life to the art of DXing, the pursuit of contacting distant radio stations across the globe. DXing, at its core, is about the thrill of long-distance communication. The DX Marathon, however, elevates this pursuit into a year-long challenge where hams compete to see who can contact the most countries and CQ zones. The beauty of the DX Marathon lies in its simplicity—no expensive gear or complicated procedures are required, making it a perfect entry point for newcomers and a fun challenge for seasoned operators. Mark has also made significant strides in expanding recognition for participants, adding more plaques and certificates to honor achievements and encourage continued participation. His dedication to outreach through platforms like Zoom has further propelled the program’s global growth, making DXing more accessible and exciting for operators worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned DXer or new to the hobby, the DX Marathon offers a rewarding way to engage with ham radio’s most thrilling aspect. Join the conversation, explore the world of DXing, and see how you can push your own limits. If you enjoyed this discussion, please subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio. 73, Kevin Thomas W1DED.

Ham Radio Traveler: Operating Around the World with Gabry IT9RGY

Gabriele Iuliani, IT9RGY, has journeyed far since his introduction to ham radio through the Scouts in Palermo, Italy. He credits ham radio with broadening his horizons beyond Sicily as he traveled extensively. Along the way, Gabry consistently sought opportunities to meet other ham radio operators and find stations to operate from. His list of special callsigns, contest stations, and countries where he’s operated is impressive. Some of the contest stations where Gabry has multi-oped include D4C, OM7M, 9A1P, OL7M, 4O3A, and IR4X. Gabry is widely liked and appreciated for the youthful and positive perspective he brings to amateur radio. I think you’ll enjoy this conversation with Gabriele, IT9RGY. Please subscribe to the channel, and thank you for watching. 73, Kevin W1DED

What is a QTC? Contest Crew Prepares for Worked All Europe DX

"Many leading contesters claim the WAEDC to be the most challenging contest of the year," says the official website for the Worked All Europe DX Contest. In this episode, the Contest Crew dives into the element that sets the WAEDC apart from all other contests: the QTC. Randy K5ZD, Dan N6MJ, and Bill W9KKN explain what a QTC is, the protocol for handling requests, and demonstrate the process using DXLog. They also discuss other contest rules, operating tactics, and the significance of the WAEDC for those aiming to qualify for WRTC 2026. Join us for this episode of W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio and the weekly Contest Crew series. Please consider subscribing to the channel and sharing the video with your ham radio friends. 73, Kevin Thomas W1DED

Contesting with Grace: Grace Papay K8LG

Grace Papay, K8LG, has made a significant impact on the ham radio community since getting licensed in 2021 to honor her grandfather's 60 years in the hobby. Grace quickly became an avid contester, participating in numerous events, including multi-operator setups at prestigious stations like K3LR in Pennsylvania and J68HZ in St. Lucia. These experiences have helped her hone her skills and build lasting connections in the ham radio world. Grace is not just a skilled operator; she is also a dedicated advocate for youth involvement in ham radio. She has participated in youth leadership initiatives and mentoring programs, inspired by the philosophy of leaving the hobby better than she found it. Her commitment extends to her educational pursuits, with plans to study electrical engineering in college, influenced by her experiences in ham radio. Grace's story is one of passion, community, and the importance of encouraging the next generation of operators. Her achievements and leadership serve as a beacon for both newcomers and veterans in the ham radio community, showcasing the diverse opportunities and fulfilling experiences the hobby offers.

Ham Radio Hall of Fame: Craig Thompson K9CT

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Craig Thompson, K9CT, about his outstanding contributions to the ham radio hobby. Craig's passion for radio, supported by his parents, led him to obtain his ham radio license at a young age, and his dedication has resulted in significant achievements.
Craig is a member of the prestigious DXCC Honor Roll, having contacted 338 countries. His participation in numerous serious DXpeditions, including rare entities like Midway Island, Palmyra, and Navassa, has showcased his leadership, planning expertise, and teambuilding skills. One of his signature accomplishments is the creation of a world-class contest superstation in Illinois, which we discussed in detail.
Most impressively, Craig has played a crucial role in promoting ham radio through various leadership roles. He has been inducted into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame and actively works to increase the hobby's visibility, particularly among younger generations. His involvement with the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and efforts to support youth participation in DXing demonstrate his commitment to the future of ham radio.
Craig’s story is one of passion, dedication, and leadership. His accomplishments and efforts to sustain and promote the ham radio hobby continue to inspire the community. And he’s obviously having fun along the way.

Team ND7K Superstation: Tim N6WIN

Tim Coker N6WIN grew up in a ham radio family—his father, mother, and brother were all hams. Tim himself became a licensed amateur radio operator at the age of 11. Starting from these modest beginnings, Tim's ham radio operating soon turned toward competitive contesting. This path eventually led him to design and build the ND7K superstation in Arizona, along with his friend and world-class contester Dan Craig N6MJ.
The effort has truly been a team approach from the earliest days, as Tim wisely reached out to hams with specific areas of expertise. Tim's teamwork philosophy extended to his multi-operator efforts, always aiming to win. His high expectations and leadership abilities continue to make a significant impact at ND7K.
As a further example of Tim’s teamwork approach, he’s turned the keys to ND7K over to Dan Craig N6MJ for all the major 2024 contests to support Dan’s quest to qualify for the World Radiosport Team Championship 2026.
Join me in this conversation with Tim Coker N6WIN for a look into the mind of an effective station builder and team leader.

Contest Crew Unplugged: Insights and Laughs from WPX CW

Just 10 minutes after the CQ WPX CW contest ended, the Contest Crew reunited from their diverse operating spots to recap the last 48 hours. This live, in-person discussion brings to life what we usually only see on 3830 scores. Join the Crew as they delve into the intense weekend-long showdown between AK1W and ND7K in the single operator high power category, and the Montana KM7W team's multi-single effort. Expect plenty of insights, lots of laughs, and valuable perspectives you can apply to your next contest weekend!

65 Years of Ham Radio Innovation: Tom Taormina K5RC

In mid-June 2024, Tom Taormina will celebrate 65 years as a licensed amateur radio operator. Over the decades, Tom has built and rebuilt stations at the cutting edge of performance. He was a competitive contester who earned the top spot in the ARRL Sweepstakes. Tom and his buddy K5LZO innovated a lockout "octopus" that enabled them to operate two radios at once until the ARRL banned the process. He was instrumental in creating the North American QSO Party (NAQP), achieved #1 DXCC Honor Roll with 374 countries logged, and was inducted into the CQ Hall of Fame. Along with his friend Grady W5FU, Tom built the Nevada superstation W7RN and hosted a long list of elite, competitive operators. Join me in this conversation with Tom as he recounts his extraordinary ham radio career and achievements.

The Road Toward the World Radiosport Team Championship

The WRTC 2026 is still two years away, but competitors are already working toward qualifying as team leaders, and observers are beginning to consider their travel plans. In this conversation with Mark Haynes, M0DXR, the chairman of the WRTC 2026, he highlights the many reasons to consider making the trip to support radiosport competitors from around the world. Mark and his committee estimate that over 500 people will converge on their WRTC 2026 headquarters and participate in the festivities. Join me for this short conversation as Mark updates us on the ongoing preparations.