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Ham Radio Hall of Fame: Craig Thompson K9CT

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Craig Thompson, K9CT, about his numerous contributions to the ham radio hobby. Craig's passion for radio, supported by his parents, led him to obtain his ham radio license at a young age, and his dedication has resulted in significant achievements. Craig is a member of the prestigious DXCC Honor Roll, having confirmed 338 countries. His participation in numerous serious DXpeditions, including rare entities like Midway Island, Palmyra, and Navassa, has showcased his leadership, planning expertise, and teambuilding skills. One of his signature accomplishments is the creation of a world-class contest superstation in Illinois, which we discussed in detail. Most impressively, Craig has played a crucial role in promoting ham radio through various leadership roles. He has been inducted into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame and actively works to increase the hobby's visibility, particularly among younger generations. His involvement with the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and efforts to support youth participation in DXing demonstrate his commitment to the future of ham radio. Craig’s story is one of passion, dedication, and leadership. His accomplishments and efforts to sustain and promote the ham radio hobby continue to inspire the community. And he’s quite obviously having fun along the way. 00:00 Introduction - Overview of Craig Thompson K9CT's achievements in ham radio. 00:40 First License - Craig’s early interest in science, learning Morse code, and passing his Novice license. 01:49 First QSO - Craig’s first contact, discovery of Novice Roundup, and early contesting experiences. 03:27 College Ham Radio - Operating at Bradley University's W9JWC and discovering DXing. 05:27 Ham Radio Break - Taking a hiatus due to family and career before returning in the 2000s. 07:16 Return to Ham Radio - Reentering the hobby with new equipment and reclaiming DXCC Honor Roll status. 08:24 DXpeditions Start - Craig’s first DXpedition to Cocos Island and lessons learned. 10:50 Midway Island - Craig’s experiences with organizing and participating in DXpeditions. 13:51 Future DXpeditions - Preparing for upcoming trips and the challenges of teamwork and physical demands. 16:25 Team Dynamics - The importance of selecting and managing operators for DXpeditions. 18:14 Bouvet Island - Craig’s disappointment over an incomplete DXpedition and lessons for future planning. 20:10 Contest Superstation - Building a competitive multi-two contest station in Illinois. 22:36 Station Design - Engineering considerations for isolation, automation, and simplicity. 25:03 Operator Experience - Creating a welcoming and fun environment for contesting teams. 27:15 Aesthetic Design - Ensuring the station and its surroundings are both functional and visually appealing. 30:40 Automation and Flex - Transitioning to Flex Radio for its simplicity and efficiency in contesting. 36:29 Leadership Roles - Craig’s involvement in leadership and initiatives for the future of ham radio. 38:50 Attracting New Hams - Ideas for making ham radio more engaging for younger and retired individuals. 43:21 Universities and Clubs - The importance of revitalizing college ham radio clubs to attract younger operators. 46:00 Mentorship Impact - Encouraging personal involvement and support for younger hams. 46:58 Responsibility to Hobby - The need for current hams to foster growth and enthusiasm in the hobby. 47:35 Closing Remarks - Craig’s positive message about ham radio and encouragement to have fun on the air. 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……………. / @w1dedworldwidehamradio Physical Mail………K.Thomas 235 Littlejohn Road Yarmouth, ME 04096 #hamradio #hamradioantenna #hamradiocontesting #hamradiooperator #amateurradio