Alex Tkatch KU1CW has a remarkable ham radio story that begins as a teenager in Belarus, continues with immigration to the United States, and then takes him around the world. He's closing in on operating from 100 DXCC countries, has 5BDXCC from two continents and has been a perennial top finisher in contests as well as an operator in three World Radiosport Team Championships (WRTC). I caught up with Alex in Ham Tien Vietnam where he competed in the CQ WPX SSB contest with a station he practically built from the ground up. The heat was rising, and his internet connection questionable, so this wasn't a long conversation but there was a lot packed into 20 minutes. I hope you'll be able to join us. Subscribe if you like what you see and look for more in the future. 73, Kevin W1DED
Fantastic effort and fantastic video. Vietnam is a tough path from my QTH. Operating from VN is even more challenging. As a fellow traveler, none of this is easy. Never mind travel... the licensing, the equipment procurement, and the government understanding of ham radio is a huge uphill battle. We can all learn a lot from Alex's adventures. I hope I can get over there to operate some time soon. " same ideas, same experience...one big family of radio"... you said it so well. My respect ! Thank you for activating 3W/XV, Alex! Need you on CW on several bands!
I ran into Alex at our local Post Office one day here in Vancouver (WA), at that time I had no idea how famous he is. 73, Bernd - KB7AK
I worked Alex from 3W9, USA, EA, EW, P40, 4L, BW, I2 etc... just to name a few. Always a great signal and a great operator. Thanks for operating from 100+ DXCC countries for all of us, poor schmucks, who either cannot pull it through, or just plainly cannot afford it (but we try). Kudos!
I do not consider vietnam a country that anybody should visit. Remember our more than 50,000 dead American soldiers.
I would love to know the red tape he had to go through to be able to operate there. I looked into it a couple years back when a friend wanted me to accompany him on a reunion trip over there. In the video, it seems like Alex took ancilliary equipment with him but no radio. Seems like he procured those locally. Interesting conversation.
Two wars with the UK. Two wars with Germany. Wars/armed conflicts/incursions with/into Spain, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Libya, Cambodia. Laos, China, North Korea, Grenada, Canada, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Russia, Chile, Kuwait, Syria, et.al. At what point does conflict end?
I used a KWM 2 and a 30L1 into a three curtann rhombic back in 1966 to 1969. Stationed there in US Army stratcom. Lots of DX stations worked
Thanks for being here in Germany in former times. But not every state where a conflict appears, can say this too.
