Seth Jones is… a young ham from Maine with an old soul for radio. At just 14, he’s earned his Extra license, snagged the vanity callsign NU1D, and has already gotten a taste of everything ham radio has to offer—from contesting to POTA, from sleepovers with Yagis to field day with an Elecraft K3 and a 30-foot trailer tower.

Seth’s not here to be a trend; he’s here to operate. While grownups wring their hands about whether “kids these days” are interested in ham radio, Seth quietly builds DX contacts from his hundred-watt shack, learns Morse, and imagines a future where ham radio leads to career paths in engineering or even the FCC.

His journey started with curiosity and mentorship—and maybe a few YouTube videos—but it’s been powered by a deep fascination with reaching across borders and bands. If you think ham radio’s dying, you’re listening on the wrong frequency.

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Jake Maltz, WV4AM, is just 14 years old, but don’t let that fool you—he’s already proving to be a fierce competitor in the world of ham radio contesting. Inspired by his grandfather, Steve Narducci, W9SN, and mentored by seasoned contester Fred Dennin, WW4LL, Jake is racking up QSOs and sharpening his skills at an impressive pace. He’s got the drive, the speed, and, let’s be honest, the stamina to run rates most ops twice his age would envy. In this conversation, Jake shares how a surprise visit from his grandfather sparked an obsession that led him from an old-school paper log to high-intensity multi-op contests. He talks about the thrill of working pileups, his experience at WW4LL’s station, and why contesting keeps him hooked. And in an era where teens are glued to screens, Jake sees ham radio as his own version of social media—only with better conversations and far less doomscrolling. Will this hobby shape his future? Maybe. But for now, it’s all about the next contest, the next DX contact, and the next challenge. Tune in to hear how mentorship, curiosity, and raw talent are bringing new life to the hobby. Join the conversation, drop a comment, and don’t forget to subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio for more stories from the world of amateur radio.

Victor VA2WA and Craig K9CT are revolutionizing ham radio contesting with real-time scoring. Contesting has long been a test of endurance, skill, and patience—but waiting weeks (or months) for results? That might be a relic of the past. Victor and Craig are leading the charge to bring instant results and real-time competition to amateur radio at hamscore.com . With real-time contesting, you’ll see how you’re stacking up live against the competition—and know the results as soon as you’re done. No more guessing, no more waiting. The tech is here, the system works, and now they’re looking for contests ready to trial it. Of course, not everyone is on board yet, but one thing is clear: the future of contesting is unfolding now, and younger operators, in particular, are going to love it. Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and if you’re as excited about ham radio’s future as we are, subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio.

Mark Pride is a veteran contester from New England and former leader of the renowned Yankee Clipper Contest Club. With more than six decades of ham radio experience, he’s done it all—from building top-performing stations to running at world-class rates—but what he enjoys most these days is mentoring. Whether it’s a brand-new op or someone trying to bump up their score, Mark has a gift for teaching the tough stuff—and he’s probably forgotten more than most of us will ever learn.

He joins Kevin Thomas W1DED remotely, as Kevin prepares for a run at CQ WPX from Turks and Caicos as VP5E. The conversation is practical and packed with tips—from managing pileup cadence to handling partial calls. Mark walks through the small changes that add up, like when to use function keys (always), how to avoid N1MM pitfalls (don’t touch the mouse), and why consistency and clarity are your best tools.

If you're looking to level up for CQ WPX—or your next contest weekend—this one’s worth a listen.

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The Contest Crew is… back on W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio with a tactical debrief on the upcoming CQ WPX SSB contest—and this time, the stakes are personal. Host Kevin Thomas, W1DED, is in Turks and Caicos to operate as VP5E, and he’s tapping into the collective brainpower of three of the world’s top contest minds: Randy Thompson K5ZD, Chris Hurlbut KL9A, and Dan Craig N6MJ.

What follows is equal parts masterclass and mentoring session. Should Kevin run low or high power from his island station? Where should he fix his non-rotatable beam? What’s the smartest way to spend the 36 single-op hours? The Contest Crew delivers, with specific, highly transferable advice for anyone jumping into WPX.

They break down how to use overlays to your advantage, why 40 meters could be your secret weapon, and how to approach rate vs. multipliers without losing your mind. Kevin, who’s been living at the station for weeks and logging thousands of QSOs in prep, is ready to level up—and the Crew gives him the blueprint to do it.

We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the multi-multi match-up everyone’s watching: K3LR vs. ND7K. Expect all-star lineups, fast hands, and some friendly cross-band smack talk. Whether you’re a seasoned contester or just looking to pick up a few extra multipliers this year, this is the pre-WPX tune-up you didn’t know you needed.

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Adrian KO8SCA is heading back to Bouvet. As one of the most respected DXpeditioners in the game, Adrian is co-leading a 24-person team on a high-stakes return to one of the rarest and most elusive ham radio locations on the planet. Bouvet Island—#10 on the ClubLog Most Wanted list—is legendary for its brutal conditions, remote location, and the abbreviated 2023 activation attempt. This time, the team is sparing no expense. With a $1.6 million budget, a rented icebreaker from IceTugs, and a helicopter for transport, this is next-level DXpeditioning. The plan? A three-week window near Bouvet, with operations beginning as soon as weather allows. Two camps—including one dedicated to North America—will maximize QSOs, making this a must-work event for DXers worldwide. Adrian breaks down what went wrong last time, how they’re mitigating risks, and why Bouvet 2026 is shaping up to be a history-making event. Don’t miss this deep dive into extreme DXpeditioning and the challenges of working radio from the edge of the world. Join the conversation in the comments and subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio for more exclusive ham radio content.

Kody Beer, K3KLB, is no stranger to the cold—or the pileups. For his third consecutive Winter Field Day, he went all in, hunkering down in an Eskimo ice tent on the edge of Pineo Lake, Pennsylvania. With a Buddy Heater fighting off the single-digit temps, a BuddiHex antenna pulling in the stations, and an IC-7300 ready to go, Kody put in a full 12-hour shift on the air, racking up a staggering 1,000 contacts across bands from 70cm to 80m. Not bad for a guy who, just a few years ago, was stranded at a picnic table in the freezing wind.

Kody isn’t just about surviving Winter Field Day—he thrives in it. His Parks on the Air obsession runs deep, with over 600 activations and 40,000 QSOs logged since 2021. He’s methodical, always refining his portable setups, and when he's not running a frequency, he's behind the lens of a camera, capturing the wild places where radio and nature intersect.

This is ham radio at its most raw and rewarding—field operations, resilience, and the thrill of the hunt. If you’re into POTA, contesting in the elements, or just appreciate a guy who knows how to work a pileup from an ice shack, this conversation is for you.

Drop a comment, let us know your best (or coldest) field day story, and don’t forget to subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio.

Levi Jeffries, K6JO, is a rising force in ham radio contesting, and this time, he didn’t just compete—he dominated. Operating from ZF1A in Grand Cayman, Levi took on the ARRL DX SSB Contest in the Single Operator High Power category and outscored the world, racking up over 8.5 million points and more than 8,400 QSOs. In this highly anticipated conversation with the Contest Crew, Levi breaks down every detail of his winning strategy. From station setup to maximizing two-radio operation (2BSIQ) for nearly 31 hours, he takes us inside the grueling 48-hour contest (Levi operated 47.5 of those hours), where every decision—band selection, self-spotting, even snack choices—played a role in his victory. He goes head-to-head with powerhouse operators like W2SC, battles through rough Sunday conditions, and redefines what’s possible for a youth operator in a major DX contest. How did Levi push through exhaustion, optimize his run strategy, and manage pileups like a pro? And does he have his sights set on breaking the legendary HC8A record? Find out in this deep dive into one of the most impressive single-op performances in recent memory. Join the conversation and subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio.

Pia Wurster, DL7PIA, isn’t just another young ham—she’s a force on the airwaves. From learning Morse code at age five to earning her amateur extra-class license at 12, Pia has embraced ham radio with unstoppable enthusiasm. Now 18, she’s racking up DX contacts, winning awards like the Youth plaque in the DX Marathon, and even organizing a special event station to mark her hometown’s 1250th anniversary. Whether she’s operating portable from mountaintops or proving that ham radio still has a thriving future, Pia is setting the pace for the next generation. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation—join the discussion and subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio!

Chris Hurlbut, KL9A, is back with the Contest Crew for a deep dive into the highs, the lows, and the unexpected moments of the ARRL DX CW contest. From multi-multi strategy at K3LR to single-op lessons learned at K5ZD, the conversation is packed with insights on propagation, pileup management, and the all-important battle for every last QSO.

Randy Thompson, K5ZD, reflects on his final ARRL DX CW contest from his Massachusetts station before relocating, pushing for WRTC qualifying points and navigating the challenges of SO2R operation. Meanwhile, KL9A and K1DG worked 15 meters for the K3LR team with precision, highlighting the importance of timing, positioning, and the art of the in-band strategy. And over at ZF1A, N6MJ and W9KKN put on a show in the multi-single category, proving once again why top operators make all the difference.

But the conversation isn’t just about looking back—it’s about what’s next. The ARRL DX SSB contest is right around the corner, and the crew shares key takeaways for phone ops: the fight for run frequencies, the intensity of 40 meters, and why it pays to keep your elbows out when the competition heats up. Plus, with the Dayton Hamvention and Contest University on the horizon, KL9A is set to take the stage at the Contest Dinner—tickets are going fast.

Whether you're gearing up for the next big contest or just love a good behind-the-scenes look at high-level radio sport, this episode delivers. Join the conversation, drop a comment with your own contest experiences, and don’t forget to subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio!