THIS WEEKEND · OCT 24–25, 2026 · CQ WW SSB
THE HP M/S
SMACKDOWN
KM7W's army at KL9A's new flagship station in Shawmut, Montana, takes on K7RL and N7DX—two seasoned Pacific Northwest operators—in the 2026 CQ WW SSB HP M/S Smackdown. Follow the live scores!
K7RL
for the world.
Amateur radio, contesting, DXing, and the pursuit of a stronger signal from the Pacific Northwest.
tower
high band antennas
amateur radio operator
Inside the station.
Built on a coastal bluff with an extensive antenna system, K7RL was designed to make the most of location, terrain, and technology.
Precision.
Power.
Possibility.
Software-defined radio and automated RF hardware continue the station’s evolution. Explore the station’s history, hardware, and antenna systems.
Contesting heritage.
The strategy, the pileups, the propagation, and the challenge of getting a signal through.
Zone 3 finish
From K7RL's published WPX contest history, operating as KW7Y.
Zone 3 finish
A second Zone 3 first-place finish in the published history, operating as KW7Y.
Stories & signals.
CQ WW SSB 2026: KM7W vs. N7DX — The HP M/S Smackdown
KM7W's army at KL9A's new flagship station in Shawmut, Montana, takes on K7RL and N7DX—two seasoned Pacific Northwest operators—in the 2026 CQ WW…
Read story ↗
Aurora Borealis on Camano Island
As I write this post, the HF ham bands are completely dead. Even stalwart 20m has no signals! We can blame it on…
Read story ↗
CQ WW SSB 2020
Conditions leading up to the contest were fantastic. It’s amazing what happens when a few sunspots show up. Equally amazing is how often…
Read story ↗See K7RL from above.
Take a bird's-eye look at the antennas and terrain overlooking Puget Sound.