Chris Hurlbut KL9A is just back from Madeira, where he operated as CQ9A and delivered the contest performance of a lifetime at CQ WW CW 2025. Though he finished second to his longtime friend Dan N6MJ, Chris broke the existing world record in the Single Operator All Band High Power category, and logged a staggering 11,000+ QSOs. Still groggy from travel and 48 sleepless hours of operating, Chris sat down with Q5 for a partial debrief from Bozeman, Montana. As with any 48-hour Single Operator top-10 result, the achievement was hard-won. Mid-contest, Chris battled a baffling logging software glitch—but he powered through. What should have been a flawless 2BSIQ run was punctuated by expletives directed at frozen keyboards and on-the-fly troubleshooting. Yet even under stress, Chris executed a strategic and multipliers-rich contest, leaning into a third radio and Valery’s top-shelf antennas to claw out every possible point. This was more than a radio contest. It was a swan song. Chris confirmed it: no more CQ WW CW solos. "I did it, so I don’t have to do it ever again." And what a final run it was—part technical tour de force, part mental endurance trial, part love letter to ham radio contesting. Valery’s station support, Dan’s epic win, and the electric online buzz from 40,000+ fans watching Chris work CW made this not just a contest, but a moment in ham radio history. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to Icom for helping bring the CQ WW CW Showdown series to life. And to DX Engineering for championing the operators who light up the bands—whether activating parks, chasing DX, or contesting at the highest level.

Chris Hurlbut KL9A is ready at CQ9A in Madeira just hours before the start of the CQ Worldwide CW Contest. Known for precision and consistency at the top levels of single-op competition, Chris arrived a bit later than other operators—but has wasted no time. Alongside Valery, he’s been adding antennas, including a second 80m and a 160m receive four-square, reinforcing the timeless contesting rule: antennas put up the day of always work better. He offers a grounded take on this year’s “CW Showdown” between himself, Dan N6MJ, and Braco E77DX. With many eyes on Braco and Dan, Chris has stayed mostly off the radar—not by design, just travel timing. Propagation looks as expected, with high-band strength favoring Dan, and CQ9A’s low-band performance giving Chris a quiet edge. His third-radio setup is less flexible than Dan’s, which may shift his multiplier strategy. Chris also highlights other serious contenders—V47T, KP4AA, CR6K, and KP2B among them—and gives a nod to the multi-op races from stations like EW5A. Still, he’s locked in on his own game: manage rate, move mults when it matters, and keep it fun. And if you’re rooting for Chris, let him know in the comments. He’s feeling just a little left out. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to DX Engineering and Icom for supporting the full spectrum of amateur radio—from park activators to world-class contesters pushing performance on every band.

Felipe Hernandez NP4Z is a powerhouse of contesting and a central player in this year’s CQ World Wide CW showdown. He joins Kevin W1DED just hours before the contest kicks off from St. Croix, where he’s not only competing himself but orchestrating one of the biggest storylines in radio sport: the “Clash of the Titans” between Dan N6MJ, Braco E77DX, and Chris KL9A. Felipe’s role? Matchmaker, facilitator, and competitive force in his own right. Licensed in 1980 and fluent in CW since age 11, Felipe has shaped his life around ham radio—relationships, career, and worldview all filtered through the key and mic. He talks with infectious pride about helping build up stations from scratch, like Jaime’s now-formidable setup in St. Croix or the revitalization efforts underway in Colombia. He’s deeply hands-on, bridging generations and borders, and energizing a new wave of competitors who might otherwise think they’re too old or too isolated to contend. This episode drops just before Felipe takes the field under KP2B, but more than that, it reveals the connective tissue holding the contesting world together. He's the reason Braco ended up at HK1T. He helped Dan land in the Canaries. And now, with three titans poised to go head-to-head across oceans, Felipe is right in the mix—quietly shaping the battle, then stepping into it himself. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Special thanks to DX Engineering and Icom for sponsoring the CQ WW CW Showdown series and for supporting contesters, DXers, and Parks on the Air activators around the globe.

Dan Craig N6MJ is on the Canary Islands, gearing up to operate EF8R in this weekend’s CQ World Wide CW contest, and we caught up just as final preparations were underway. Joined by Levi K6JO, Dan’s been troubleshooting verticals, fine-tuning antennas, and running high-stakes shakedowns ahead of a record attempt. Inside the shack: two Icom 7610s and—after some debate—a third radio, an Elecraft K3, to chase elusive multipliers during slow hours. A smooth CWT test calmed some nerves as Dan got his head back into real-time 2BSIQ. Though Braco E77DX recently rebuilt the station for SSB, Dan and Levi found plenty to fix, from storm-damaged antennas to last-minute adjustments. Propagation has shifted too—most notably, 10 meters is closing fast after EU sunset. Stress? Absolutely. Sleep is sparse, pressure is high, but Dan's determined to give the world a clean, all-out effort. Felipe NP4Z helped secure the EF8R station when Dan was nearly sidelined, and that camaraderie echoes through the contesting community. From Chris KL9A and Braco E77DX in 3-point land to Andy N2NT (V47T), Tom W2SC (8P5A), Felipe NP4Z (KP2B), Filipe CT1ILT (CR6K) and Jon KL2A (KP4AA), the competition is fierce—but grounded in mutual respect and constant collaboration. And though Dan’s not one for the spotlight, he’s showing up because keeping contesting vibrant matters. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to Icom and DX Engineering for backing operators worldwide—whether they’re pushing 2BSIQ at EF8R or chasing rare multipliers from remote corners of the globe.

Emir “Braco” Memic E77DX is in Colombia, transforming HK1T into a serious contest machine—just in time to debut his new 5J1DX callsign for CQ WW CW. With the clock ticking, Braco is taking a hands-on approach to engineering a high-performance station out of HK1T’s formidable base. It’s a full-court press: antennas fine-tuned, switching gear reworked, and amps sorted out with a blend of skill and last-minute improvisation. The topography isn’t easy, the hardware’s not all cooperating, but Braco’s turning it into something that can compete with the best. Is Braco the MacGyver of ham radio? You be the judge. Securing 5J1DX marks a major moment—not just for Braco, but for the Colombian ham community that helped make it happen. He singles out Sandra HK3YL for her behind-the-scenes effort to get the license finalized. With 2,000 QSOs already logged and promising runs on 10 and 15 meters, Braco’s laying the groundwork for a serious showing. Whether or not everything’s perfect by showtime, he’s made clear: he’s not backing down. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. This episode is part of the CQ WW CW Showdown series, made possible with support from Icom and DX Engineering—backing contesters, DXers, and operators who push the limits on every band, from every corner of the world.

Jon Kimball KL2A is the consummate contester. From learning Morse code at age seven to chasing DX from Alaska with a Yagi at 60 feet, Jon’s ham radio journey spans more than four decades. A chance encounter with Chris KL9A during those early pileups—first as rivals, then as teammates—set the tone for a lifetime of contest camaraderie. Now based in Sun Valley, Idaho, Jon brings deep contesting experience and a sharp analytical mind to this year’s CQ Worldwide CW showdown, operating from Kenny Ramirez’s polished KP4AA station in Puerto Rico. Kimball’s breakdown of the KL9A–N6MJ–E77DX face-off is must-hear commentary. Having operated from CT3, EA8, and HK himself, he offers rare perspective on propagation dynamics, multiplier strategies, and the psychological demands of pacing through fatigue and solar flares. His bet? A strong start from the Zone 33 heavyweights, but a real shot for Braco if the Asian openings from HK pay off—and if the ionosphere throws a wildcard. One detail that sticks: Jon once picked Chris KL9A up from high school and drove him to a contest station. They've been talking radios ever since. And one point Jon made clear: there are dozens of top-tier operators on the air this year. Check out NG3K.com for the full lineup—and work them. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Thanks to Icom and DX Engineering for supporting the CQ WW CW Showdown series—and for backing DXers, Parks on the Air ops, and contesters chasing the edge of propagation.

Just days before what looks like a record-breaking CQ World Wide CW, six world-class operators compare notes across Europe and South America. Braco E77DX is deep in the Colombian jungle at HK1T’s mountaintop station, where rain, mud, and snakes complicate the final push. His contest callsign is expected any day. Early tests show him hammering into Europe at 30-over-9, reinforcing what’s always been a three-way battle between HK1T, EF8R, and CQ9A in the much-watched CQ WW CW Showdown. In Estonia, Kris ES7A is refining ES9C with upgraded Flex radios, multi-Flex capabilities, and cleaner inband audio. Sven DJ4MX heads to Bosnia and Herzegovina, anchoring a strong multinational team at E7DX for a multi-single run. In Croatia, Dave 9A1UN has a crane en route to hoist antennas just in time—business as usual for a crew that thrives on the edge of readiness. Filipe CT1ILT is back in Portugal aiming to break 10,000 QSOs once more, hoping propagation tilts his way. And up in snowy Sweden, Mike SJ2W preps for another multisingle campaign, looking to top last year’s 7,000 QSO haul. All six react to CT1BOH’s pre-contest breakdown—opinions vary, but one thing’s certain: this contest is wide open. 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.

Levi Jefferies K6JO is in the thick of the CQ WW CW showdown, he's in the Canary Islands to support Dan N6MJ’s shot at a new record. But he's arriving with serious momentum—fresh off an electrifying, unofficial first-place finish in the ARRL Sweepstakes SSB. That win, logged from Chris KL9A’s off-grid Montana station KM7W, wasn’t just about rate or firepower. It was about brains, bold decisions, and a disciplined contest strategy. You’re going to be hearing a lot more about K6JO.

Still in his twenties, Levi is quickly proving himself a generational contester. In this conversation, he walks through his wire-to-wire battle with George K5TR—seven-time champion, ideally located, and almost never outpaced. Levi’s edge? A high-risk move: diving into 10 meters early to work low-numbered Technician-class QSOs others save for Sunday. That gamble, combined with smart off-time management and aggressive two-radio operation, let him surge ahead in the final hours.

The setup at KM7W was formidable but far from plug-and-play. The station runs entirely on generator power, and Levi and Chris hustled to get antennas online—including a freshly reinforced 80m four-square and a spiderbeam pointed at W6. They also pushed the envelope with the KD6X Rig Select Pro, giving Levi what may be the first full 2BSIQ phone run using the device. With the gear locked in and the bands favoring Montana—just barely—Levi outmaneuvered the field and made a statement.

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Thanks to DX Engineering for backing this episode. Their support helps power high-performance stations like KM7W and fuels operators worldwide as they push the boundaries of what’s possible.