2025 “Dream Rig” Essay Contest for Young Ham Radio Operators

Six years ago, the Intrepid-DX Group, a international group of amateur radio operators, began their annual youth “Dream Rig” essay contest as a means to reach young people and interest them in amateur radio.

This year, rather than our past essays, we are seeking well thought-out and clearly communicated project proposals for a public access amateur radio station.
— Paul S. Ewing, N6PSE, president of The Intrepid-DX Group.

This year’s contest is called “Amateur Radio for the Greater Good.” Written proposals may be submitted between 10th November and 10th December 2025, by amateurs age 25 or younger, describing how they would establish a club, contest, community, or emergency communication station in a school, church, fire station, community centre, hospital, or other public building. The station must be in the USA and only US-licensed amateurs may submit proposals.

This is a departure from our conventional essay contest. We are looking for proposals that would place the station in a secure and common area where it could be enjoyed by other licensed amateurs. Once the winning proposal is selected, the proposal author will have sixty days to secure written permission from the owner or guardian of the facility. The written permission must indicate approval for the station and antenna to be installed. The proposal author may be the trustee of the station.
— Paul S. Ewing, N6PSE

The equipment provided will include an HF transceiver, VHF/UHF transceiver, 13.8V power supply, two 100' lengths of coax, and antennas.

The awardee of the complete station will be announced on 15th December 2025.

Proposals may be submitted via email to intrepiddxgroup@gmail.com or via USPS to:

The Intrepid-DX Group
3052 Wetmore Dr.
San Jose, CA 95148

For more information about the Intrepid-DX Group, visit its website at https://intrepid-dx.com.


Reminder: Keep Clear of Emergency Frequencies

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Tropical Storm Melissa is nearly stationary in the Caribbean on Friday 24th October 2025. Forecasters warn it could quickly intensify, impacting Jamaica as a hurricane and causing catastrophic flooding and landslides in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 

The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN), a group of licensed Amateur Radio Operators trained and organised to provide essential communications support to the National Hurricane Centre during times of hurricane emergencies, is carefully monitoring the storm’s development.

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Young Amateurs Learn New Modes for Emcomm

Young Amateurs Learn New Modes for Emcomm

In various parts of the world, emergency communicators continue to promote the use of the amateur service as well as other modes and methods to the next generation. Hams in India are continuing to make that transition.

In India, ham radio operators are focusing more on DMR - Digital Mobile Radio - as an alternative to analogue VHF, UHF and HF. Fifty young hams were recently given training in DMR programming and operating by the Indian Academy of Communication and Disaster Management and the West Bengal Radio Club, led by Jayanta VU2TFR and Soumya VU3FWK.

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