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Mark Pride K1RX believes in a contesting philosophy that starts with curiosity and ends with mastery. In this inaugural episode of our 7-part How To Contest series, Mark joins host Kevin Thomas W1DED to lay the groundwork—not just with antennas and amplifiers, but with a mindset. Contesting, he argues, isn’t just about high scores; it’s about the “Four Cs”: Connectivity, Control, Curiosity, and Creativity. That framework, gifted to him by a new ham, now shapes how he sees contesting within ham radio. Over 62 years on the air, Mark has mentored both youth and retirees, many of whom encouraged him to share his deep contesting knowledge publicly. What emerges is a contesting ethos driven by continuous improvement. Whether it's choosing the right phonetics to break through pileups, rethinking your chair setup for a 48-hour marathon, or changing CW timing on the fly, Mark reminds us: "If you can’t hear them, you can’t work them." This episode establishes a key premise for the series: most hams already have what they need to start contesting. The decisions come down to strategy, logging software like N1MM, and developing the mental habit of post-contest review. That’s where situational awareness takes root. Mark brings it all back to something fundamental: contesters are the R&D wing of amateur radio. Whether or not you ever submit a log, this is where you go to learn. Welcome to the How To Contest Series, Episode 1 of 7. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to DX Engineering for supporting Q5 Ham Radio and powering the operators who push the limits—in Parks on the Air, contesting, and around the world.

Bill Fehring W9KKN, Chris Hurlbut KL9A, and Dan Craig N6MJ—the Contest Crew—are back to reflect on a record-breaking 2025 and chart their course for 2026. From CQ9A to EF8R, the Crew covered serious ground this past year. But first, RTTY Roundup gets a quick (albeit late) post-mortem: Bill jumped in last-minute at NJ4P, Dan marveled at their in-band efficiency, and Chris…watched football. Then they shift to the North American QSO Party, a fast, low-power HF contest where operators race for multipliers and contacts across North America in a tight 12-hour window. The real depth comes in the retrospective. Chris called 2025 his best ham radio year ever, breaking records and speaking at Dayton. Dan turned a last-minute EF8R plan into a masterclass in single-op record breaking excellence. And Bill, mid-move, still managed CTU talks and major multis. Each looks ahead to WRTC 2026 with clear focus. The conversation closes with big hopes: pulling more POTA ops into the contest fold, embracing new tech where it helps, and getting contest results faster. They stress integrity—and double down on the value of peer pressure in keeping the sport clean. Contesting’s future, they argue, will be built on both trust and tech. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Huge thanks to DX Engineering for supporting the global contesting community—from world-record multis to POTA ops chasing pileups in the parks. Their passion powers ours. Let me know if you'd like a thumbnail caption or social blurb to match.

Josiah "Si" Russell WD5JR is part of the next wave of operators breathing new life into ham radio. At just 18, Si already has a POTA record that would make many seasoned hams envious—over 400 activations and more than 5,300 parks hunted. But it’s not just about numbers. From activating rare parks in Turks and Caicos to representing Oklahoma as a Parks on the Air mapping coordinator, Si blends enthusiasm, technical skill, and a drive for community building that’s rare at any age. Though he grew up surrounded by ham radio—his great-granddad, grandparents, parents, and even his eight-year-old cousin are all licensed—Si didn’t dive in right away. It took a Florida road trip and a chance activation to spark his passion. That spark quickly became a fire, fueled by outdoor adventure, the challenge of DXing from remote parks, and a growing love for contesting and CW. Ham radio became more than a hobby—it became a family refuge during his mom’s cancer treatment and a catalyst for personal growth. There’s also a quiet confidence to how Si operates. Whether it’s packing an Icom 7300 in foam for international travel, giving presentations at hamfests, or learning SO2R techniques for CW sprints, he’s always building. Not just a skillset, but a path forward—showing that youth isn’t a liability in ham radio; it’s a lifeline. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to Icom for their continued support of Q5. With radios that empower young ops like Si to chase pileups from remote beaches and contest from small-town shacks, Icom continues to push the boundaries for operators worldwide.

The Contest Crew—Randy K5ZD, Dan N6MJ, Chris KL9A, and Bill W9KKN—recap the ARRL 10-Meter Contest in this debrief. It was a weekend of mixed propagation, scoreboard drama, and some hard truths about pileup etiquette. They break down why signals vanished in minutes, how backscatter shaped the game, and why audio still matters. It's also a field guide to what not to do in a pileup. Looking ahead: January contests, tower builds, and a quiet shift toward what’s next. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to DX Engineering for supporting contesters, DXers, and every operator chasing stronger signal in any season.

Kees Van Oosbree W0AAE is a 21-year-old amateur radio operator whose story reads like a prequel to the next generation of ham radio leadership. A Minnesota native and aerospace engineering student at Iowa State, Kees isn’t just participating in the hobby—he’s reshaping it. From satellites and CW pileups to youth-led DXpeditions and remote contesting, he’s threading together high-rate operation with forward-looking innovation. In 2024, he was awarded the ARRL’s prestigious Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award—fitting recognition for a young operator already a decade ahead of the curve. It all started with a childhood visit to the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting, where a QSO map pinned with Antarctica sparked a lifelong curiosity. Unlike most of his peers, Kees wasn’t drawn in by the internet; the ionosphere did the convincing. His contest resume already includes CQ WW efforts from NØNI and a remote multi-op at ZF5T. Yet his impact extends well beyond the mic: he organized youth remote operations for DXpeditions to Rotuma and Saba, and helped build a remote station on Frying Pan Tower in the Atlantic. Technically sharp but deeply community-minded, Kees thrives in leadership roles—even as he confesses a singular love for CW rate and an obsession with perfecting 2BSIQ. He’s bullish on the future of the hobby, pointing to AI-enhanced contesting, real-time ionospheric prediction, and a rising class of remote-native hams. In 2026, he’ll represent youth at WRTC in the UK, shoulder to shoulder with the contest titans he’s long admired—N6MJ, KL9A, AA3B, and others. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Many thanks to DX Engineering for supporting Q5 and for their unwavering commitment to contesters, DXers, and operators pushing the limits—from backyard shacks to towers in the middle of the Atlantic.

Manuel WP4TZ is a rising presence in Puerto Rican contesting. He came into ham radio through Summits on the Air, drawn by the mix of hiking and portable ops. That led to a deep run with Parks on the Air, using CW as his chosen mode. Now, he’s fully hooked on contesting. In just a few years, Manuel has gone from casual operator to committed contender—working pileups from both the wild terrain of Puerto Rico and the polished setups of WP3Z’s La Sierra Contest Group. A recent 10-meter showdown in the ARRL contest brought him head-to-head with veteran ops WP3A and NP3A. They’ve got experience on their side, but Manuel held his own. With a quad at home, a hex beam waiting on a tower, and a strong crew of mentors, he’s climbing fast. He’s in it for the speed, the pressure, and the joy of riding a pileup all the way to the end.   But what stands out most is his humility. Whether it’s tweaking macros at WP3Z, surfing the northern coast, or hauling an Elecraft KX2 through the jungle, Manuel doesn’t pretend to know everything. He just keeps showing up, learning, and getting better. His advice to new contesters is simple: “Just go for it.” Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to DX Engineering for supporting operators at every level—from beachside POTA activators to full-throttle contesters chasing the top of the scoreboard. Their gear helps power the future of amateur radio.

Tom Morton K2GO is one of those rare hams who didn’t just grow with amateur radio—he carried it across decades, continents, and call signs. From sitting at his father’s AM rig in Panama as a boy to running pileups on Wake Island, Tom’s journey spans over 60 years of global DXing, high-stakes contesting, and community building. His call sign collection alone reads like a DXCC scorecard: KH9, VP2V, ZF2QV, V31UA, CW7T, HP1XT, HO2T—and that’s just the start. Whether instructing Navy pilots to land on carrier as LSO (Landing Signal Officer), flying reserve missions across the Pacific, or lugging Drake gear through the Caribbean, Tom never really took a break from radio. After early contesting sparks in San Diego, he joined the likes of K6UA, W6KUT, N6CW, K6NA, W6YA, and N6ND, learning from some of the best. That led to multi-multis, DXpeditions to the British Virgin Islands, and a quiet evolution from solo CW ops to community builds with friends and family. His passion for the people behind the pileups is palpable—he credits friendships as the true through-line of his life on the air. One moment stands out: operating from Wake Island for 17 days with a saltwater amp, a 30S-1, and a commanding officer’s blessing. It was, as Tom puts it, "nirvana." Now semi-retired in Panama, he’s still mentoring operators, building teams, and contesting with killer calls like HP1Z and, soon, with 3E1E. Tom is a bridge between generations and geographies—and he’s not done yet. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Q5 Ham Radio is sponsored by Icom supporting the operators and conversations that keep amateur radio moving forward.

Contest Crew Europe is back—and sharper than ever. Braco E77DX, Sven DJ4MX, Filipe CT1ILT, Dave 9A1UN, Mike SJ2W, and Kris ES7A deliver a frank, fast-moving debrief of CQ WW CW from the heart of the European scene. This isn’t just about score totals. It’s a look inside the philosophy, the prep, and the pressure that define elite-level contesting on the continent. Braco reports on 5J1DX in Colombia, where tropical storms, a broken CIV port, and a rogue amp threatened to derail the run—and while Dan N6MJ and Chris KL9A were out of reach, he likely walked away with a new South American record. Back at Braco’s home station, Sven and the E7DX crew rallied from a somber start and overtook OM7M in a furious late push on 40 meters. Mike in Sweden faced green auroras and grim rates. Filipe ran the full 48 hours solo, again hitting a remarkable 10,000+ QSOs using a single keyboard and custom MUF-tracking tools. Kris and team at muti-op ES9C couldn’t quite close the gap on single-op EF8R, but delivered one of their cleanest runs yet. And Dave in Croatia? A last-minute setup may have turned into a national record—and a comeback moment for two long-absent operators. Beyond the logs and linears, the crew dug into the state of the sport. Live scoreboards? Maybe mandatory, they argue—at least if you want to play at the top. Log uploads? Why wait five days? And the 48-hour format? If you’re not prepping like an athlete, you're already behind. Contesting isn’t just competition—it’s culture. And these guys are writing it in real time. 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.

  Jiri Sanda OK1RI is a legend of European contesting, and in this conversation, we follow his path from clandestine club station operations under Communism to building one of the world’s most formidable multi-multi contest stations at CN3A. Along the way, we get the full sweep of postwar European ham radio: the political barriers, the VHF culture of the 1970s, and the relentless competition among national stations in an era before the internet shrunk the globe. Jiri’s story is defined by restlessness and reinvention. He moved from VHF field days in Czechoslovakia to high-stakes single-band competitions, before turning toward the camaraderie and complexity of multi-ops. His turning point came after one grueling 40-meter CW session: with trophies in hand and his back aching, he simply asked, “Why?” From that moment, the mission became collective—teams, builds, logistics, antennas that could survive Saharan sand and Atlantic salt. His stations popped up in Czech hills, on Gambian beaches, and finally in Morocco, where CN3A now lives. Technically, this episode is dense with gold: hauling 1,500 kilos of gear into West Africa; why limestone soil makes verticals impossible; running QRP with 80-meter yagis just for fun; and why they built five over five over five stacks pointed at Europe from Morocco. And the human detail? A guard in Gambia paid 70 cents a night. A beach overrun with goats. Tower collapses. A rented station where the rotator was locked pointing north. It’s all here. Thanks to Icom for powering Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Whatever your corner of the hobby, there’s an Icom built for you. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio.

Jamie Williams M0SDV is a rising star in the contesting world, and in Grenada this year, he proved exactly why. Traveling solo to the Caribbean island with modest gear and big ambitions, Jamie operated as J38W in the CQ World Wide CW contest—logging over 6,200 QSOs and more than 9 million points. What began as a goal to hit 4,000 contacts turned into a record-breaking effort, earning him a new North American Youth Overlay record and placing him firmly on the radar of top operators worldwide. Licensed since 2013 and first nudged into the hobby by his father, 2E0CAP, Jamie’s path took shape through contesting in the UK, where mentors like Lee G0MTN and Callum M0MCX helped sharpen his skills. After being invited to his first Dxpedition in Togo, Jamie went on to operate from Mauritius, Guyana, and the Marshall Islands. Each trip built the confidence and technical chops that eventually led him to take on Grenada entirely solo. He scouted a quiet QTH on the island’s north side, hauled his Icom IC-7300, SPE 1.3K-FA amp, a lightweight hex beam, and verticals—all within airline baggage limits—and set up in the tropical heat alone. When an 18-meter pole toppled into the bushes, a local gardener came running with a machete to help. Jamie operated for 40 hours during the contest and hit a peak rate of 240 QSOs per hour—pushing past exhaustion to see just how far he could go. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. A big thank you to DX Engineering for sponsoring Q5 and for supporting contesters, DXers, and dedicated operators who go the distance to put rare signals on the air.

Chris Hurlbut KL9A is just back from Madeira, where he operated as CQ9A and delivered the contest performance of a lifetime at CQ WW CW 2025. Though he finished second to his longtime friend Dan N6MJ, Chris broke the existing world record in the Single Operator All Band High Power category, and logged a staggering 11,000+ QSOs. Still groggy from travel and 48 sleepless hours of operating, Chris sat down with Q5 for a partial debrief from Bozeman, Montana. As with any 48-hour Single Operator top-10 result, the achievement was hard-won. Mid-contest, Chris battled a baffling logging software glitch—but he powered through. What should have been a flawless 2BSIQ run was punctuated by expletives directed at frozen keyboards and on-the-fly troubleshooting. Yet even under stress, Chris executed a strategic and multipliers-rich contest, leaning into a third radio and Valery’s top-shelf antennas to claw out every possible point. This was more than a radio contest. It was a swan song. Chris confirmed it: no more CQ WW CW solos. "I did it, so I don’t have to do it ever again." And what a final run it was—part technical tour de force, part mental endurance trial, part love letter to ham radio contesting. Valery’s station support, Dan’s epic win, and the electric online buzz from 40,000+ fans watching Chris work CW made this not just a contest, but a moment in ham radio history. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to Icom for helping bring the CQ WW CW Showdown series to life. And to DX Engineering for championing the operators who light up the bands—whether activating parks, chasing DX, or contesting at the highest level.

Chris Hurlbut KL9A is ready at CQ9A in Madeira just hours before the start of the CQ Worldwide CW Contest. Known for precision and consistency at the top levels of single-op competition, Chris arrived a bit later than other operators—but has wasted no time. Alongside Valery, he’s been adding antennas, including a second 80m and a 160m receive four-square, reinforcing the timeless contesting rule: antennas put up the day of always work better. He offers a grounded take on this year’s “CW Showdown” between himself, Dan N6MJ, and Braco E77DX. With many eyes on Braco and Dan, Chris has stayed mostly off the radar—not by design, just travel timing. Propagation looks as expected, with high-band strength favoring Dan, and CQ9A’s low-band performance giving Chris a quiet edge. His third-radio setup is less flexible than Dan’s, which may shift his multiplier strategy. Chris also highlights other serious contenders—V47T, KP4AA, CR6K, and KP2B among them—and gives a nod to the multi-op races from stations like EW5A. Still, he’s locked in on his own game: manage rate, move mults when it matters, and keep it fun. And if you’re rooting for Chris, let him know in the comments. He’s feeling just a little left out. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to DX Engineering and Icom for supporting the full spectrum of amateur radio—from park activators to world-class contesters pushing performance on every band.

Felipe Hernandez NP4Z is a powerhouse of contesting and a central player in this year’s CQ World Wide CW showdown. He joins Kevin W1DED just hours before the contest kicks off from St. Croix, where he’s not only competing himself but orchestrating one of the biggest storylines in radio sport: the “Clash of the Titans” between Dan N6MJ, Braco E77DX, and Chris KL9A. Felipe’s role? Matchmaker, facilitator, and competitive force in his own right. Licensed in 1980 and fluent in CW since age 11, Felipe has shaped his life around ham radio—relationships, career, and worldview all filtered through the key and mic. He talks with infectious pride about helping build up stations from scratch, like Jaime’s now-formidable setup in St. Croix or the revitalization efforts underway in Colombia. He’s deeply hands-on, bridging generations and borders, and energizing a new wave of competitors who might otherwise think they’re too old or too isolated to contend. This episode drops just before Felipe takes the field under KP2B, but more than that, it reveals the connective tissue holding the contesting world together. He's the reason Braco ended up at HK1T. He helped Dan land in the Canaries. And now, with three titans poised to go head-to-head across oceans, Felipe is right in the mix—quietly shaping the battle, then stepping into it himself. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Special thanks to DX Engineering and Icom for sponsoring the CQ WW CW Showdown series and for supporting contesters, DXers, and Parks on the Air activators around the globe.

Dan Craig N6MJ is on the Canary Islands, gearing up to operate EF8R in this weekend’s CQ World Wide CW contest, and we caught up just as final preparations were underway. Joined by Levi K6JO, Dan’s been troubleshooting verticals, fine-tuning antennas, and running high-stakes shakedowns ahead of a record attempt. Inside the shack: two Icom 7610s and—after some debate—a third radio, an Elecraft K3, to chase elusive multipliers during slow hours. A smooth CWT test calmed some nerves as Dan got his head back into real-time 2BSIQ. Though Braco E77DX recently rebuilt the station for SSB, Dan and Levi found plenty to fix, from storm-damaged antennas to last-minute adjustments. Propagation has shifted too—most notably, 10 meters is closing fast after EU sunset. Stress? Absolutely. Sleep is sparse, pressure is high, but Dan's determined to give the world a clean, all-out effort. Felipe NP4Z helped secure the EF8R station when Dan was nearly sidelined, and that camaraderie echoes through the contesting community. From Chris KL9A and Braco E77DX in 3-point land to Andy N2NT (V47T), Tom W2SC (8P5A), Felipe NP4Z (KP2B), Filipe CT1ILT (CR6K) and Jon KL2A (KP4AA), the competition is fierce—but grounded in mutual respect and constant collaboration. And though Dan’s not one for the spotlight, he’s showing up because keeping contesting vibrant matters. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to Icom and DX Engineering for backing operators worldwide—whether they’re pushing 2BSIQ at EF8R or chasing rare multipliers from remote corners of the globe.

Emir “Braco” Memic E77DX is in Colombia, transforming HK1T into a serious contest machine—just in time to debut his new 5J1DX callsign for CQ WW CW. With the clock ticking, Braco is taking a hands-on approach to engineering a high-performance station out of HK1T’s formidable base. It’s a full-court press: antennas fine-tuned, switching gear reworked, and amps sorted out with a blend of skill and last-minute improvisation. The topography isn’t easy, the hardware’s not all cooperating, but Braco’s turning it into something that can compete with the best. Is Braco the MacGyver of ham radio? You be the judge. Securing 5J1DX marks a major moment—not just for Braco, but for the Colombian ham community that helped make it happen. He singles out Sandra HK3YL for her behind-the-scenes effort to get the license finalized. With 2,000 QSOs already logged and promising runs on 10 and 15 meters, Braco’s laying the groundwork for a serious showing. Whether or not everything’s perfect by showtime, he’s made clear: he’s not backing down. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. This episode is part of the CQ WW CW Showdown series, made possible with support from Icom and DX Engineering—backing contesters, DXers, and operators who push the limits on every band, from every corner of the world.