The DX Mentor

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for yourweekly 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 the DailyDX, 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.comWe have a 6O3T - Somalia Update -   “Good morning, everyone, we’d like to thank you all for the affection and patience you’ve shown towards our 6O operation. Despite the high noise level, we’re moving forward with great personal satisfaction, sometimes at the expense of the usual CW/SSB modes, but often it’s a necessary choice. We’re enjoying good openings on the 6 meters band toward Europe, around 11:00 GMT, with a few shorter ones toward Asia as well. In the afternoon, around 15:00 GMT, the SIX band will open again. We’ve been transmitting for the second night in a row on 80 and have logged several nice QSOs. In the coming days, we’ll likely make some tests on 160m, though without too many expectations.Finally, we’ve been receiving many emails about call corrections and typing errors, our apologies, but this is not the right time. All such requests will be handled once we’re back home.” ThebPJ6Y Adventure is QRTAfter an amazing weekend participating inbCQWW SSB 2025, the PJ6Y adventure is coming to a close. Our Young Operators team achieved an incredible milestone — over 55,000 QSOs! “On behalf of the PJ6Y 2025 team, I would like to thank all of you who took the time to work us,” said Gregg, W6IZT. A special thanks goes out to our sponsors and supporters — this expedition would not have been possible without your generous help and encouragement. 5R, MADAGASCAR The Italian Dxpedition Team led by Silvano, I2YSB announce a new activity from Madagascar until November 12 as 5R8TT utilizing CW, SSB, and RTTY and as 5R8XX on FT8. A team will be operating with 4 stations from 160 to 6 meters. QSL via I2YSB. https://www.i2ysb.com/idt/ 9L, SIERRA LEONE  The ex-3C2MD managed to plan another DXPedition as 9L8MD until November 10. The team will be active as 9L8MD from 160 to 6 metres using CW, SSB, RTTY. QSL via IK2VUC. 9U, BURUNDI  Members of the Russian DX Team with Vasily R7AL as team leader will be active as 9U1RU until November 20. Plan is to be active with 7 stations from 160 to 6 meters using high power. QSL via Club Log. https://www3rudxt.org/9u1ru Z6,KOSOVO  Look for S58MU and S50X as Z66IPA until November3. They will be operating from 160 to 10 meters. QSL for all calls via S58MU. VU4, ANDAMAN ISL  The World DXPedition team will be QRV until November7 from 3 POTA locations. ‘Needless to say, the support of corporate and private sponsors are essential to make this DXPedition a success. The Team priority will be to make as many QSOs as possible and offer the highest exposure as possible for sponsors. Corporate or Club sponsors (donating $1,000 or more in cash or equipment) will be recognized on our QSL cards and website. ’  The DX Mentor features a new Podcast episode this coming weekend – The Yasme foundation and the great contributions of Ward Silver, N0AX. Check it out and let me know what you think!If you want to follow all the latest DX Podcasts and YouTube releases, you should check out the DX Mentor Facebook page and subscribe to be kept up to date on all of the DX activities.If you would like a copy of the special SWODXA Newsletter for October that has over 100 pages of articles about 160M, just drop me a line and I will send it to you.   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 80 of The DX Mentor – a discussion with Ward Silver, N0AX, about his journey, his many contributions to ham radio, and the YASME foundation. 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.    Below are the links that we alluded to. In addition to Ward, Joe, W8GEX will be joining us. ARRL Handbook https://www.arrl.org/arrl-handbook-2023ARRL Antenna Book https://www.arrl.org/arrl-antenna-bookHam Radio for Dummies https://www.n5dux.com/ham/files/pdf/Ham%20Radio%20for%20Dummies.pdfGrounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateurhttps://www.arrl.org/grounding-and-bonding-for-the-amateurWestern Washington DX Club https://www.wwdxc.org/The YASME Foundation https://www.yasme.org/The YASME Book https://www.yasme.org/the-yasme-book/Kure Atoll DXpedition http://www.cordell.org/KURE/KURE_pages/KURE_KK6EK.htmlHam Sci https://hamsci.org/Personal Space Weather Station https://hamsci.org/psws-overview/WRTC 2014 and "Contact Sport"https://wrtc2014.org/contact-sport-a-story-of-champions-airwaves-and-a-one-day-race-around-the-world/Ray Tracey - Zone of Iniquityhttps://www.amazon.com/Ray-Tracy-Iniquity-Ward-Silver/dp/1105584410Contest Hall of Fame - https://contesthof.com/n0ax/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 the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I’m Bill, AJ8B.This is the weekend of the CQWW SSB DX Contest and I wanted to get information out to you earlier than normal. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to thedxmentor@gmail.com.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 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…