The DX Mentor

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I’m Bill, AJ8B.Each week I try to focus on those entities that will be available in the next 7 days. There is so much data to sift through that I thought a focus on the next week might be helpful. Here is what you should find QRV when you tune the bands. The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of theDailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How’s DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com As a reminder VE7BV, Dwight, is QRV from Guatemala where he is operating holiday style as TG9BBV until October 25. Activity is on CW, SSB, and FT8 on 7 through 50 MHz. QSL direct or via the bureau to VE7BV and LoTW. The Rebel DX Group is QRV from Niue as E6AD. For the first weeks, the emphasis will be FT4 and MSHV SuperFox.  The entire operation will emphasize digital and CW, with a "little SSB as well." A multi-national team will be on the air from Gingerbread Hill in St Peter's on Montserrat for the CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest. They still have 1-3 operating positions open. Most of the team will be there from October 22-28, with Irina and Ralf staying a few more days afterwards. During the contest they will be operating VP2MPN on 80 through 10 meters as a multi-op effort. QSL VP2MPN via KB4YPN and eventually LoTW. Station 7Q1A will be QRV from Malawi between October 18-24, CW and digital and the CQ WW DX SSB Contest with two or more stations.  Ops say they will have veterans and fresh energy of a new generation, "the future of our hobby."  QSL direct to 7Q7CT or use LoTW or QRZ Logbook. https://www.qrz.com/db/7Q1A The DXObsessed team is preparing for their 2025 FW5K DXPedition to Wallis Island.The group is excited about the trip, with all members packing and finalizing logistics. Team members will depart from Arizona and Oregon, meeting in Dallas, Texas, before flying to Nadi, Fiji, then onward to Wallis Island. Arrival is scheduled for 2:25 PM on Saturday, October 18, 2025, local time. Gregg, W6IZT, reports that the PJ6Y team (https://pj6y2025.com/) is enroute and will rendezvous in St. Martin early this afternoon before boarding the short flight to Saba. The entire team is very excited to arrive on the island. Thanks to everyone for your continued support — we look forward to seeing you in the pileups! The D2A DXPedition to Angola, QRV until October 28, consists of Portuguese and Spanish operators commemorating Angola’s 50th anniversary of independence. QSL via EA7FTR.  The 5KØUA DXPedition team will arrive on San Andrés Island between October 15-20 and expects to be on the air October 20-30. They will leave the island November 3. They plan to operate 160-10M CW, SSB, and FT8, and will be in the CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB. Before and after the contest, they will conduct “regular DX activity.” QSL using LoTW or Club Log OQRS.  Phill remains active as C21TS from Nauru until the end of November, then he will be QRT for 2 months and back starting from February 2026. ‘I’ll probably be back for a few months from February 2026 with minimal gear, probably just FT-891. Hard finish will be June 2026 and no later.’ QSL via M0OXO OQRS or LoTW. Maurizio, IK2GZU is QRV again as 5H3MB from Tanzania until November 20. He returns as a volunteer in the Ikelu hospital in the South Highlands. He will be operating is his spare time on HF using CW, SSB and digi. QSL via home call, LoTW, Club Log. Luc, F5RAV, is QRV from The Gambia as C5R until October 31. Following on from previous visit where money was raised to build a new classroom for infants, the plan this time is build two more classrooms and to start a radio club to introduce YOTA.   Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. I Hope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week!

Hello and welcome to episode 81 of The DX Mentor – a discussion with Gregg Marco, W6IZT, about the upcoming DXPedition to Saba Island, PJ6Y. I’m Bill, AJ8B.  If this is the first time you are joining us, Welcome! We have a back catalog covering many aspects of DX in both podcast and YouTube format. Please check us out.  If you like what you find, please subscribe, like, and share to always be notified about upcoming events!     Another way to keep in touch and to see what we are up to is via the DX Mentor Facebook page. I will be posting about upcoming podcasts as well as other DX events so please follow us.    You can check the show notes for any of the information that we discussed today.   In addition to Greg, Joe, W8GEX will be joining us. Gregg has been a guest before, and we are very appreciative that he was able to fit us in as the DXPedition leaves in 7 days!  Before we connect with Gregg and Joe, I would like to pass this along. You may recall that we previously did a podcast with Bob, WB2UBW, and a discussion about the Western KY DX Association DX Workshop. I was there and it was terrific. I had several listeners stop by to say hello and offer suggestions and appreciation for the DX Mentor Podcast. These included Chuck, W0CRB, KD4MJR. Ariella, and Mike, N4JRO. I had excellent in person QSOs with each of them and really enjoyed the discussion.  DXPedition Website: https://pj6y2025.com/News Articles: https://www.dx-world.net/pj6y-saba-island-dxpedition/Q5 (W1DED) YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@q5hamradio K3LR YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@DXEngineering Southwest Ohio DX Assoc. https://www.swodxa.orgDaily DX https://www.dailydx.com/DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/Icom https://www.icomamerica.com/ IC-905 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-9700 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-7610 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7610/ IC-7300 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300/ 

Hello and welcome to episode 78 of The DX Mentor – a discussion with Walt, K4OGO and his book Salty Walt’s Antenna Sketchbook. In addition to Walt, we have Tom,NR8Z, and Joe, W8GEX, joining us.Thank you for stopping by, I’m Bill, AJ8B. If this is the first time you are joining us, Welcome! We have a back catalog covering many aspects of DX in bothpodcast and YouTube format. Please check us out. If you like what you find, please subscribe, like, and share to always be notified about upcoming events!    Another way to keep in touch and to see what we are up to is via the DX Mentor Facebook page. I will be posting aboutupcoming podcasts as well as other DX events so please follow us.   You can check the show notes for any of the information that we discussed today.  The book that Walt has written is different from any other technical book I have read.Walt sums it up by saying “This isn’t the Mozart of antenna books, it’s the Jimmy Buffett.” Salty Walts Antenna Sketchbook https://www.arrl.org/news/new-book-release-salty-walt-s-portable-antenna-sketchbookCoastal Waves YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@COASTALWAVESWIRESSouthwest Ohio DX Assoc. https://www.swodxa.orgDaily DX https://www.dailydx.com/DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/Icom https://www.icomamerica.com/ IC-905 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-9700 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-7610 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7610/ IC-7300 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300/

Hello and welcome to episode 79 of The DX Mentor – a discussion with Bob, WB2UBW, about his amateur radio journey, the Western Kentucky DX Association, and the upcoming DX Workshop. In addition to Bob, we also have Brian, AD8FD with us. I’m Bill, AJ8B. If this is the first time you are joining us, Welcome! We have a back catalog covering many aspects of DX in bothpodcast and YouTube format. Please check us out. If you like what you find, please subscribe, like, and share to always be notified about upcoming events!    Another way to keep in touch and to see what we are up to is via the DX Mentor Facebook page. I will be posting aboutupcoming podcasts as well as other DX events so please follow us.   You can check the show notes for any of the information that we discussed today.  Here is a bit about our guest today.  Bob was first licensed as WN2UBW in February of 1974. He bought a Hammarlund HX-50A transmitter and used his fathers Realistic DX-150A receiver. After stringing up a dipole for 80 meters, the fun began. Bob has operated from New York, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, back to Ohio, and now to Western Kentucky. His QTH is in Central City, KY on 2.1 acres. He currently uses an Icom IC-7610 andan end fed antenna for HF and an Icom 9700 for VHF/UHF.You can find Bob Active on most modes including digital (PSK-31 & FT8) Active on all bands from 160 through 440. He has also been getting into some 144/220/432/1296 weak signal communications.I love DXing, Building, Repairing, Ragchewing, etc. The Western Kentucky DX Association is an amateur radio club in Bowling Green, Kentucky, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in working other amateurs all over the world. The club was founded in the early 1980’s. Since that timethe members have worked many DX stations during contests and regular day-to-day operations.Since its creation, the club has had several different special activities including:Awarding a colorful certificate to any DX station that submits a log showing they worked three of our members.Supporting a special event station for admirers of the Corvette sports car made only in Bowling Green. Each year Bowling Green hosts a Corvette Homecoming during which hundreds of Corvette owners visit our city.Setting up for Field Day each year and operating QRP (CW and SSB). National rankings as high as 4th in our category have been achieved.

Hello and welcome to episode 77 of The DX Mentor - details about the upcoming 3C2MD DXPedition to Bioko Island AF-010, Equatorial Guinea. I’m Bill, AJ8B. This DXPedition will run from October 30th till November 10th. A multinational team of 14 operators from the Mediterraneo DX Club will be on-air with callsign 3C2MD.To discuss this DXPedition as well as his own amateur radio journey, we have Steve, AG4W, as our guest. As always, I will have Joe, W8GEX.If this is the first time you are joining us, Welcome! We have a back catalog covering many aspects of DX in both podcast and YouTube format. Please check us out. If you like what you find, please subscribe, like, and share to always be notified about upcoming events! Another way to keep in touch and to see what we are up to is via the DX Mentor Facebook page. I will be posting about upcoming podcasts as well as other DX events so please follow us. You can check the show notes for any of the information that we discussed today. 3C2MD Webpage https://www.mdxc.support/3c2md/3C2MD Survey: https://www.mdxc.support/3c2md/survey/Southwest Ohio DX Assoc. https://www.swodxa.orgDaily DX https://www.dailydx.com/DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/Icom https://www.icomamerica.com/ IC-905 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-9700 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-7610 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7610/ IC-7300 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300/

Hello and welcome to episode 76 of The DX Mentor – a discussion about the most recent ARRL Board Meeting as well as an update on the Huntsville Hamfest, an update happenings in Washington and a potpourri of other ARRL goodies. My guests are Joe, W8GEX, and David, NA2AA,CEO of the ARRL. I’m Bill, AJ8B. If this is the first time you are joining us, Welcome! We have a back catalog covering many aspects of DX in both podcast and YouTube format. Please check us out. If you like what you find, please subscribe, like, and share to always be notified about upcoming events!    Another way to keep in touch and to see what we are up to is via the DX Mentor Facebook page. I will be posting aboutupcoming podcasts as well as other DX events so please follow us.   You can check the show notes for any of the information that we discussed today.  You may wonder what a discussion with the ARRL CEO has to do with an episode of The DX Mentor? I think there are several things that link us together. First, the DXCC program IS an ARRL program. You can’t separate the two. DXPeditions exist because they have the funding, the need, and the acceptance by the DXCC Desk to be “legal’ and will count towards DXCC programs rewards and acknowledgement. Secondly, there is no other organization that works to protect the spectrum like the ARRL does. There have been countless attempts to procure parts of our spectrum that have been defeated due to the actions of the ARRL. The current work to remove restrictions for homeowners another example of the ARRL at work.Finally, David is a DXer and a contester! He works the DX and is the DX. He is also a CW fanatic. So, he is a fit for this podcast. Tune in as Joe, W8GEX, and I discuss this DXPeditionLet’s get started!              

Hello and welcome to episode 75 of The DX Mentor, all about signal propagation. I’m Bill, AJ8B. Between the DX Mentor Facebook page, the weekly DX column in the Ohio Section Journal, the DX section of This Week in Amateur Radio podcast, and the This Week in DX weekly YouTube episodes, I have received quite a few emails over the past months about a couple of topics. One of those topics is HF propagation.I assume this is due to the discussions about the current solar cycle.If this is the first time you are joining us, Welcome! We have a back catalog covering many aspects of DX in both podcast and YouTube format. Please check us out. If you like what you find, please subscribe, like, and share to always be notified about upcoming events!    Another way to keep in touch and to see what we are up to is via the DX Mentor Facebook page. I will be posting aboutupcoming podcasts, YouTube drops,  as well as other DX events so please follow us.   You can check the show notes for any of the information that we discussed today. Before we get started, I would like to mention an accomplishment. Several weeks ago, I received the ARRL DX Trident award, 200 level. I was very honored to receive this and I thank the ARRL for continuing to find goals forus to strive for.In this episode we will have a detailed discussion of HFpropagation.  My guests are Bernie, W3UR, Frank, W3LPL and Joe, W8GEX. Bernie’s call, W3UR, is probably familiar to you as he is theeditor of the How’s DX column in QST and the publisher of the Daily DX and the Weekly DX.Frank’s call is likely familiar to you as well as he publishes aweekly propagation report, is an avid DXer and has one of the most impressive antenna farms on the east coast. Check out his layout via qrz.com.Both Bernie and Frank are members of the 3000+ DXCC Challenge club, in the rare air of 3100+! This episode is definitely aided by the use of slides, but you can learn a lot as you listen to the guests discuss the various concepts. The YouTube version will drop in two weeks and you can round out what you missed the first time around.Now, let’s tune in to our gurus and find out what they arediscussing…

Hello and welcome to episode 74 of The DX Mentor - details about an upcoming IOTA DXPedition. I’m Bill, AJ8BHere is our guests story as presented by Bernie, W3UR: A team composed of Cezar (VE3LYC), Felipe (XQ7IR), and Johan (PA3EXX) plans to activate Pajaros Rocks, SA-100 between August 18th and the 23rd. These rocks are located in the north of Chile, about 100 km south of Iquique, in the vicinity of the fishermen's village of Caleta Lobos. One of these two rocks has a round shape with a diameter of just under 60 m, while the second one is oval in shape, about 60 by 30 m. Both rocks are very rugged, and landing can only be attempted by swimming to them and pacing against the waves. They also have very steep slopes, and host colonies of sealions and cormorants. Two reputed amateur radio teams attempted to land and operate from these rocks in 2018 and 2019, but their efforts were regretfully unsuccessful. Despite these setbacks, an independent project to bring Pajaros on the air continued to be pursued, but was initially postponed due to the covid pandemic, and then due to other DXpedition projects that emerged. Cezar and Johan carried out together several IOTA expeditions in the past. As such, they operated from Hershel (SA-031), Diego Ramirez (SA-097), Sandy (OC-294), and Escondida (SA-096). Escondida is a rather much similar rock to Pajaros, just but larger in size, about 100 x 35 m and not as steep. Consequently, we expect that the landing logistics and challenges in dealing with wildlife will be also similar. Felipe and Cezar will team up for the upcoming 3Y0K DXpedition to Bouvet, which is scheduled for February 2026. It was during their discussions on Bouvet that joining forces on Pajaros came into focus, and a concrete plan for the latter began to be developed. Together with Johan, they worked closely in planning how best to handle every single aspect of this project. Here are resources mentioned in the Podcast3G1P Website: https://3g1psa-100.weebly.com/VE3LYC Book on DX Adventures: https://ve3lyc-book.weebly.com/Southwest Ohio DX Assoc. https://www.swodxa.orgDaily DX https://www.dailydx.com/DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/Icom https://www.icomamerica.com/ IC-905 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-9700 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-7610 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7610/ IC-7300 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300/

Hello and welcome to episode 73 of The DX Mentor - details about the upcoming VP2V DXPedition to the British Virgin Islands by our guests. I’m Bill, AJ8BHere is our guests story as presented by Bernie, W3UR: August 8-11: VP2V, British Virgin Islands - Brothers KK4LWR, Andy Milluzzi, and KD8RTT, Tony Milluzzi, are going on their first DXpedition August 9-11 in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, as VP2V/KK4lWR and VP2V/KD8RTT. Andy says that they are both big travelers and wanted to try a weekend on the air somewhere exotic, but also not get in over their heads. They decided to consider someplace they had been before, easy to get to and with “infrastructure.” Their gear will be a pair of transceivers, a DX Commander and another vertical on HF, a three-element Yagi for 6M, and wire antennas for other bands, 80-6M all told. They plan to focus on 30, 17, 12, and 6M SSB and try CW, with some digital [modes] “when we need a break.” They will capitalize on summer openings by being on 6M as much as possible. On August 11, they will take part in the HamSCI Meteor Scatter QSO Party on 10 and 6M. They will have a joint QSL card, and also upload to LoTW post-trip. QSL direct to KD8RTT. Here are links to those items mentioned in the podcasthttps://kk4lwr.com/https://kd8rtt.com/https://hamsci.org/msqphttps://www.arrl.org/collegiate-amateur-radioSouthwest Ohio DX Assoc. https://www.swodxa.orgDaily DX https://www.dailydx.com/DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/Icom https://www.icomamerica.com/ IC-905 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-9700 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-7610 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7610/ IC-7300 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300/

Hello and welcome to episode 72 of The DX Mentor, all about the ARRL DXCC program. I’m Bill, AJ8B. Between the DX Mentor Facebook page, the weekly DX column in the Ohio Section Journal, the DX section of This Week in Amateur Radio podcast, and the This Week in DX weekly YouTube episodes, I have received quite a few emailsover the past months about a couple of topics. One of those topics is the DXCC program. If this is the first time you are joining us, Welcome! We have a back catalog covering many aspects of DX. Please check us out. If you like what you find, please subscribe, like, and share to always be notified about upcoming events!    Another way to keep in touch and to see what we are up to is via the DX Mentor Facebook page. I will be posting aboutupcoming podcasts as well as other DX events so please follow us.   I would like to pass along a fewcomments that we have received regarding some past episodes. I received this about the Amelia Earhart episode, “Fantastic episode, almost journalistic! Really enjoy these and it's not only now but in the future. Thank you again.” Regarding the interview with VA3MW, a listener commented “Loved the show, thank you. Ps. You should do a side show on old computer, loved hearing about the NORAD computer!!!”Concerning last weeks edition about QSLing, K6GAB sent me a comment saying “Thanks for this, very interesting!” Finally, I received this about the QRZ.cominterview with KF8KI “A fascinating insight into QRZ and Steve's other interests! Thank you all”As you can tell, I do read the comments and apply them where I can. Please keep your thoughts and suggestions coming!Our guests are Mike, W0VTT, Bernie, W3UR, and Joe, W8GEX.  In this episode we will discuss all things regarding the ARRL DXCC program. Let’s get started!   Resources mentioned include:Southwest Ohio DX Assoc. https://www.swodxa.orgARRL Logbook of the World http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-worldQSL Display https://www.aj8b.com/qsl-display-board/Southwest Ohio DX Assoc. https://www.swodxa.orgDaily DX https://www.dailydx.com/DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/Icom https://www.icomamerica.com/ IC-905 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-9700 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-7610 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7610/ IC-7300 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300/