Contesting from the Pacific Northwest USA: Mitch Mason K7RL

Mitch Mason K7RL is one of the most accomplished ham radio contesters in the Pacific Northwest. Operating from his station on Camano Island, Washington, Mitch has mastered the unique geographic and propagation challenges of the region. With decades of experience, he’s built an impressive station featuring a 135-foot rotating Bertha pole that is supplemented with a second tower. Those are outfitted with a tribander and stacked mono-banders in addition to what Mitch calls his “JA tree antennas” allowing him to excel in both domestic and international contests. In this interview, Mitch shares how his technical expertise and dedication to improving his station have led to multiple WRTC qualifications. Whether it’s single-op marathon sessions or teaming up for multi-two entires, Mitch’s ability to adapt and overcome the limitations of his location is truly inspiring. Tune in for an inside look at Mitch’s ham radio contesting journey, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join the conversation. 00:00 - Introduction - Kevin introduces Mitch Mason K7RL as a top contester in the Pacific Northwest. 00:46 - Ham radio beginnings - Mitch discusses starting with CB Radio in the 1970s and transitioning to ham radio in college. 01:40 - Current station setup - Mitch describes his powerful station, including antennas and equipment on Camano Island. 02:55 - Station evolution - Mitch explains how his station has developed over two decades to improve contesting capabilities. 04:07 - Single op vs. multi op - Mitch shares his transition from single operator to multi-operator contests with Tony, N7DX. 04:55 - Pacific Northwest strategies - Challenges and advantages of contesting from the Pacific Northwest. 07:07 - WRTC qualifications - Mitch highlights his strategy and experiences in qualifying for WRTC contests. 08:18 - Luck vs. preparation - Mitch discusses the balance between luck and preparation in contesting success. 10:22 - Encouraging others - Advice to operators discouraged by propagation challenges in the Pacific Northwest. 11:52 - Contesting instincts - Mitch elaborates on developing a "sixth sense" for propagation openings. 12:00 - Contest evolution - Mitch suggests changes to multi-operator categories and reflects on scoring fairness. 13:41 - Contest length debate - Mitch shares his thoughts on the pros and cons of 48-hour vs. shorter contests. 14:52 - Online scoreboards - Mitch praises scoreboards for enhancing competition and motivation. 15:13 - Multi-op benefits - Advantages of multi-operator contests, including camaraderie and less fatigue. 16:27 - Advice for beginners - Mitch encourages learning at larger stations and through guest operating. 17:45 - Kevin’s contesting plans - Kevin shares his plans to learn from experienced operators in St. Lucia. 18:25 - Future of ham radio - Mitch expresses hope for younger generations to embrace contesting. 19:53 - Contesting vs. gaming - Kevin and Mitch explore parallels between contesting and video gaming. 20:36 - Upcoming contests - Mitch looks forward to the Washington State Salmon Run and CQ Worldwide. 21:01 - Contest diversity - Mitch discusses his participation in state QSO parties and smaller contests. 22:01 - Practice and skill - Mitch emphasizes the importance of consistent contesting and CW practice. 22:46 - Closing thoughts - Mitch highlights the camaraderie in the ham radio and contesting communities. 23:22 - Outro - Kevin wraps up the interview and thanks Mitch for sharing his insights. Follow W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio on these platforms: Substack …………..https://w1dedworldwidehamradio.substa... Apple…………………https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify……………… https://open.spotify.com/show/6AWd34c... Instagram………….  / w1dedworldwide   Facebook………….  / w1dedworldwidehamradio   YouTube…………….   / @q5hamradio   Physical Mail………K.Thomas 235 Littlejohn Road Yarmouth, ME 04096 #W1DED #worldwideamateurradio #hamradio #amateurradio