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.
Thanks for the interview. Makes me feel a lot better to hear a well known contester explaining the difficulties of working from the PNW. This also explains how difficult I have working in a contest and very rarely ending up higher than about the 30-40% top of the scores, yet I have won a lot of contests from Washington State in my category. Tnx Mitch for explaining what it is like to work from WA.
