WG5G

Episode 024 - Dan Walker - WG5G

Dan Walker, WG5G, has worked DXCC and achieved honor roll status with consistent operational strategy and only 5 watts from his modest station. Beginning with W1FB's "sardine sender", he is only missing 5 countries to have worked every country. Dan shares the insights to his operational achievements with Eric, 4Z1UG, in his QSO Today. 

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First Licensed: 1978

Elmers: 
Tex Kennedy, N5TX
CW Betz, Antenna Engineer, KMAC/KISS Radio
David "Woody" Woodruff

First Rig: W1FB's Sardine Sender on 80 meters and the Heathkit HW-9

First Antenna: 5 band vertical 
Later: TH2-MK3 2 element beam on 10, 15 and 20 meters

Current Rig: Kenwood TS-130V with DSC30 VFO

Current Antenna: Multiband Quad at 50 feet
Favorite operating mode: CW with straight key

DX Strategy: work split, zero beat the station being worked by the DX station and call immediately after their exchange.

Awards: 

• WAS/QRP
  
• WAC/QRP
  
• WAZ/QRP - FIRST EVER TO RECEIVE QRP ENDORSEMENT ON THE AWARD - SIGNED BY HUGH CASSIDY - WA6AUD
  
• CQ DX DXCC/QRPP - 331 ALL CW - HIGHEST TOTAL QRPP EVER RECORDED BY CQ MAGAZINE
  
• DXCC MIXED HONOR ROLL QRP - FIRST TO ACHIEVE HR/QRP - TOOK 9.5 YEARS - 1984 TO JULY OF 1994.
  
• DXCC TOTALS ALL QRP : MIXED 343 INCLUDING DELETED, 335 CURRENT
  
• CW 336 INCLUDING DELETED, 329 CURRENT
  
• WINNER OF THE 2012 CQ DX MARATHON FORMULA CLASS < 10 WATT CATAGORY - 256 COUNTRIES, ALL 40 ZONES
  
• WINNER OF THE 2013 CQ DX MARATHON FORMULA CLASS < 10 WATT CATAGORY - RECEIVED CREDIT FOR 256 COUNTRIES AND 39 ZONES, BUT ACTUALLY WORKED 257 COUNTRIES AND ALL 40 ZONES
  

Links: 
San Antonio Ham Classes
Six Meter International Radio Klub
Bencher Paddles
MFJ - 422 Keyer/Bencher Combo
WG5G QRZ Page
DXscape
CQ DX Marathon
AM broadcast field strength meter
MOPA transmitter

Clubs:
DX Amigos

Advice to hams: "keep it simple and put your money into your antenna system."

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Heathkit HW-9

Sardine Sender on 80 Meters
Built by Erik, NY9D, an update to the W1FB design and displayed in QST, November 2003

Kenwood TS-130V

WG5G works the world with a multi-ban quad antenna