Gregg Marco W6IZT
Gregg Marco W6IZT has participated in some of ham radio’s most well-known DXpeditions—and a few dozen vacation-style ones too. From his ridge-top shack in rural Georgia, he’s spent the last two decades blending deep technical chops with a passion for the hobby. But his latest venture—PJ6Y from Saba Island—isn’t just another stamp in the logbook. It’s the next step in a generational handoff that began with 3D2Y Rotuma.
At 70 years old, his approach to DXpeditioning is all about putting young operators in charge. His new model leans into mentorship, empowerment and real-time problem solving. The PJ6Y team includes nine first-time DXpeditioners from five countries.
Gregg recounts the spark that started it all (his wife, Wendy), the stethoscope used to diagnose a seawater-soaked tuner, and the makeshift shelter roof ripped off mid-contest. These aren’t just stories—they’re signals of a deeper shift. With young hams now participating in Dxpedition planning workshops, designing stations, creating operator schedules, and preparing for future trips with little or no “old man” supervision, W6IZT is quietly rewriting what it means to be seasoned.
Gene Spinelli K5GS
Gene was first licensed in 1976 as WB5WFD (Arlington, Texas), and issued K5GS in 1996; previous calls were WD6DLK (San Francisco Bay Area) and KE6LT (Northern New Jersey and Boulder, Colorado).
His DXCC totals are 354/340 (mixed) with all current entities confirmed. Gene’s radio interest has always been DXing with occasional diversions into restoring vintage radios and the digital modes.
He was a team member on: 2012 ZL9HR Campbell Island DXpedition, and Co-organizer / Treasurer for: 2014 VK9MT Mellish Reef, 2015 TX3X Chesterfield Islands, 2018 VP6D Ducie Island, 2020 VP8PJ South Orkneys Islands, 2022 Austral Islands, and 2024 TX5S Clipperton Island.
He is a founding member of the Perseverance DX Group (PDXG), and also holds call signs: VK2IXC and ZL1NA.
Retired after 45 years in the I/T industry, Gene and his wife live in Tucson, Arizona.
Bob Ronk W9AP
I was first licensed in the spring of 1979 as a Technician KA9EQH, and upgraded to Advanced that summer, earning the callsign KB9IE. In July of 2019 I changed my callsign to W9AP. My loves in Amateur Radio are DX, Antenna & Tower installation and maintenance, and Contesting. I also enjoy assisting others in troubleshooting and serving in leadership roles within various Ham Organizations. I’m a Life Member of ARRL, a Life member of Northeastern Wisconsin DX Association (President), and a member of Northern Illinois DX Association (W9DXCC General Chairperson).
Current Country Count is 330 Mixed. I’ve owned and operated repeaters and serve as a Technical resource. In addition to working DX I enjoy being DX, as TO9W (annually 2021 – present), and 9G4X (2023). I’m also part of the 3Y0K Bouvet Team 2026.
Beyond Amateur Radio I’m active in Missions, spending time with 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren, served 10 years on the local School Board, coached Middle School & High School Robotics Teams, Assistant Coach Middle School and High School Trap Shooting Team, and touring on my Harley Davidson.
Connor Dickey KD9LSV
Connor, a 24-year-old Electrical Engineer, first became a ham in 2018 while attending Bradley University, where he was a member of the Bradley University ARC (W9JWC). He quickly developed a passion for contesting and DXing, mastering CW in 2020.
Connor has had the opportunity to operate at competitive contest stations like K9CT, W0ECC, and NU1AW/0. In 2024, he took on his first DXpedition at Rotuma (3D2Y), and is now a part of the team for the 2025 Saba operation (PJ6Y) where he will be assisting other first-time DXpeditioners.
Beyond contesting, Connor enjoys remote operations using CW, SSB, and digital modes. He leverages his electrical engineering background to support various open-source ham radio software projects, including the Node-Red-Contesting Dashboard, and is a member of the Society of Midwest Contesters and the Elayer Contest Club.
- Data Sources that Benefit DXers & Contesters (Friday)
- Contesting & DXing Roundtable (Friday)
- 3D2Y – Rotuma (Saturday)
Dr. Lisa Shier N3WQL
Dr. Lisa Shier, N3WQL and formerly V73LZ, is a professor of astronomy at University of Maryland Global Campus. She was a radar engineer at Kwajalein Atoll and worked in missile testing and satellite tracking. Lisa is a resident of North Alabama, where she is president of the Huntsville Amateur Radio Club and the Huntsville Area Young Ladies Amateur Radio Club. She is active with her local ARES/RACES group and a VE group.
Lisa is an avid boater and has been a maritime mobile ham. She still operates marine mobile. Her other activities include gardening, scuba diving, photography, mathematical art, machine embroidery and making clothing.
- Understanding the Sun, Solar Weather, and the Ionosphere (Saturday)
Ned Stearns AA7A
Ned was first licensed in August 1963 at age 12 as WN8JWY. Ned currently lives in Phoenix, AZ and is active on all amateur bands up to 23 cm. He is active in DXing, contesting and VHF/UHF weak signal work. He has been on 30 DXpeditions on all continents including four to Top Ten Needed DX entities (Kingman Reef 2000, South Sandwich 2016, South Georgia 2016 and Baker Island 2018). He is a retired Systems Engineer with Motorola and General Dynamics. He is a Director of the Northern California DX Foundation and is the ARRL Southwestern Division Vice Director. Ned was inducted into the CQ Magazine DX Hall of Fame in 2020.
Ned led the development of requirements for the Fox/Hound protocol for FT8, supported its extensive testing and deployed it for the first time on the Baker Island DXpedition (KH1/KH7Z) in 2018. In a similar fashion, he was involved in the development, testing and the initial activation of the new SuperFox waveform targeted for use on DXpeditions in high demand. He is also the chief architect for an emerging, totally-remotely operated contest station, NA7TB, located in
eastern Arizona. In an effort to help educate the ham radio community on the benefits of emerging technology in DXing and contesting, he hosted a first-of-its-kind ‘Next Generation DXing’ program series at the 2015 International DX Convention.
Craig Thompson K9CT
Craig Thompson, K9CT, has been a dedicated amateur radio operator since the age of 14 and has held an Extra Class license since 1971. A graduate of Bradley University with a BSEET and advanced studies in business, Craig went on to found Thompson Electronics Company, an Illinois-based systems integration firm he successfully led for over four decades. Now retired, Craig continues to channel his passion for technology, competition, and community through amateur radio, where he is recognized as one of the most accomplished contesters and DXers in the world.
Craig’s contributions to amateur radio are extensive and widely celebrated. He is a member of the CQ Contest Hall of Fame (Class of 2022), holds DXCC Honor Roll status in Mixed, CW, and Phone, and has achieved rare distinctions including 11 Band DXCC, 5BWAZ, VUCC from 6m to 23cm, and FFMA #12. As co-leader and member of multiple award-winning DXpeditions, he has helped push the boundaries of what is possible in global radio operations. His contest superstation, featuring 16 towers, has been the site of numerous contest victories. Beyond the key, Craig is deeply involved in amateur radio leadership—serving as Vice President of NCDXF, treasurer of CWops, chairman of the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee, and a board member of the ARRL Foundation. A life member of the ARRL and active runner who has completed seven marathons, Craig lives with his wife about 20 miles west of Peoria, IL.
- Contesting & DXing Roundtable (Friday)
- DXpeditioner’s Journey, a look back on 13 DXpeditions (Banquet Keynote)
Glenn Johnson W0GJ
Glenn’s interest in amateur radio started as a youngster listening to his grandfather’s short-wave radio. He was licensed at age 15 and within three months had contacted all 50 states with a homemade crystal transmitter. He has always been interested in contesting and has many first-place world scores from the Caribbean. He has TEN First Place World scores with QRP in the ARRL 160M Contest.
He has achieved DXCC #1 Honor Roll, 5BWAZ awards and has DXCC on 11 bands. He has led or co-led four major DXpeditions to four Top Ten Most Wanted areas (Kingdom of Bhutan (2000), Lakshadweep (2007)), Desecheo (2009), and Navassa (2015)) all of which were awarded DXpedition of the Year. He was also a team member of the HK0NA Malpelo (2012), the K5P Palmyra (2016), the VP6R Pitcairn (2019), and the CY0S Sable (2023) DXpeditions.
Glenn has been inducted into the CQ Magazine Amateur Radio Hall of Fame (2003) and the DX Hall of Fame (2012). He received the 2004 ARRL Humanitarian of the Year Award for his medical work in the Kingdom of Bhutan. His most prestigious award was the W9DXCC “Special Award for Excellence” in 2004.
Glenn retired from the Mayo Clinic after practicing orthopedic surgery for 45 years.
Glenn has an undergraduate degree in Forestry. Glenn has many other interests including shooting sports, gunsmithing, wood working, beekeeping, flying and gardening. He is also very active in local community affairs and in his local church. He is married to Vivien, KL7YL. Their four kids and two of their spouses are licensed hams.
Paula Uscian K9IR
Paula was first licensed in 1976 (WN9WNN). She is a passionate and active DXer (DXCC top of Honor Roll, Honor Roll Mixed-CW-Phone, 9BDXCC, CQ 5B WAZ). She is an active member of NIDXA, ARRL, SMC, CWOPS, CDXC and other clubs.
Paula spends much of her time today operating from summits as part of the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program, participating in the CQ Marathon to contribute to NIDXA’s club score, and confirming additional band countries for the DXCC Challenge. She is a returning DX University presenter.
John Sweeney K9EL
John is a long-time ham (first licensed in 1962) and frequent presenter at DX University. During a long career in telecommunications John has operated from many countries including FS, 9V, HS, EA6, 6Y5, VS6, JA, F, DL, G, XE and KH6. Until recently John was administrator for the DX Marathon program and is the current Central Division representative for the ARRL DX Advisory Committee.
Tim Gennett K9WX
Tim’s primary ham radio interest is contesting, with a strong preference for CW and RTTY. He has 324 DXCC countries and 2054 Challenge slots confirmed.
Tim is a member of the ARRL, CWops, the Hoosier DX and Contest Club, the Lafayette DX Association, the Society of Midwest Contesters, and the Tippecanoe Amateur Radio
Association.
He served as manager of the now-concluded NAQP Challenge and as editor of the CWops Solid Copy newsletter for more than five years. Additionally, he served three years on the SMC Board of Directors and currently acts as the data coordinator for the SMC Lifetime Achievement Award and Championship Medal Award programs.