For many contesters, the dream is simple: operate from a serious DX station in a prime location and run the pileups yourself. In this episode, José KP3J joins Q5 to talk about the remarkable Caribbean contest station he built and the story behind it. For years it has served as the home of the La Sierra Contest Group, producing big scores and unforgettable operating experiences. Now José is beginning to think about the station’s next chapter—and what it might look like for a new group of operators to take the reins. We talk about the station, the philosophy behind building and maintaining a competitive DX operation, and the idea of stewardship as these stations pass from one generation of operators to the next. Q5 is sponsored by DX Engineering.

Dzianis “Luk” Lukashevich DD1LD is an Alpine mountaineer turned ham radio innovator, leading Germany’s SOTA Alpine Association and reshaping what outdoor portable operation can look like. Introduced to amateur radio as a teenager, he returned in earnest in the mid-2000s, quickly combining two passions: climbing and operating from summits. Since then, he’s been a relentless activator across programs—SOTA (Summits on the Air), POTA (Parks on the Air), WWFF (Worldwide Flora and Fauna), IOTA (Islands on the Air), even LOTA (Lighthouses on the Air). His operating philosophy now runs on a new frequency: “Go Green” portable ops, where every activation begins and ends without a car—by bike, foot, or public transport. The idea of XOTA—“any on the air”—captures Luk’s inclusive style. Why limit yourself to one program when the entire outdoors is your shack? This spirit led him to a record-breaking 10-region SOTA activation across the German Alps in a single day and to summiting Sweden’s highest peak solo during a multi-day trail run—all while operating QRP with rigs the size of a credit card. His gear has evolved, but his ethos remains: lightweight, ecological, and always up for a challenge. Luk’s not just a climber with a key. He’s a contest-caliber operator attempting SO2R in the woods, mentoring his young sons in CW before they can read, and imagining a future where ham radio overlays like “Go Green” become standard. Whether it’s a picnic table POTA run or an ascent to a summit, he’s always looking for the next edge—and the next QSO. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to Icom for sponsoring Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio—because legendary QSOs deserve legendary radios.

The World Wide Award for YLs is new—and it launches March 9. Designed to increase visibility, participation, and on-air activity among women in amateur radio, the program creates a clear, structured path for operators around the world to make contacts with YLs and earn recognition. Marion W1GRL and Carlo IK1HJS explain how the award works, who can participate, qualification details, and why this initiative matters right now. If you want to be part of the inaugural run, now is the time to register, review the rules, and get ready. Early participation will shape the momentum of this program from day one. Q5 is proudly supported by Icom—building radios that inspire operators to push the boundaries of what’s possible.