The Contest Crew is back. Randy Thompson K5ZD, Dan Craig N6MJ, Bill Fehring W9KKN, and Chris Hurlbut KL9A join Kevin Thomas W1DED for another deep dive into the biggest stories in competitive ham radio—from Dayton Hamvention and CQ WPX CW to the mounting pressure surrounding WRTC 2026. Fresh off a packed Hamvention weekend, the crew recaps CTU, the crowds in Xenia, memorable presentations, and why Dayton remains the epicenter of contesting culture. Randy describes it as one of the premier gathering places in the world for contesters and DXers, while Bill shares stories from hosting powerhouse operator Val EW6W/CQ9A through the nonstop pace of the convention weekend. The weekend also underscored how much the series has connected with contesters, with plenty of operators stopping by to talk about past episodes. The episode then shifts into full contest mode as the group breaks down CQ WPX CW strategy. Dan discusses operating remotely from N2QV while quietly escalating from a “casual effort” to chasing the existing record set by Milen ND3T. Randy and Chris unpack the unusual summertime propagation patterns that make WPX one of the most strategic contests of the year—where 40 meters becomes king, high bands stay alive late into the night, and smart off-time decisions can determine the final score. But the heart of the conversation is WRTC. The Contest Crew gives an unusually candid look at what preparation for the Olympics of contesting actually feels like: the stress, second-guessing, endless log analysis, and even the politics surrounding spotting networks and fairness. Randy explains the reasoning behind the new automated spotting systems, while Chris describes the psychological challenge of hearing dozens of elite competitors operating only miles away during the event itself. It’s equal parts technical strategy session and inside baseball from some of the best operators in the world. The episode closes with reflections on the newest CQ Contest Hall of Fame inductees and a reminder about youth opportunities at J62K in St. Lucia—another example of how mentorship continues to shape the future of contesting. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to DX Engineering for continuing to support contesters, DXers, and operators around the globe with the equipment, technical expertise, and community investment that help keep amateur radio thriving at every level.