Tim Duffy is a name that needs no preamble in the ham radio world—but here’s one anyway. The CEO of DX Engineering and a multi-multi contesting heavyweight, Tim is also the founder of Contest University, an idea launched in 2007 that has since grown into one of ham radio’s premier knowledge-sharing events. Held the Thursday before Dayton Hamvention, CTU draws contesters from across the globe—newcomers, seasoned ops, and the simply curious—for a full day of learning, connection, and camaraderie. In this conversation, Tim traces CTU’s roots to early contesting meetups in New England living rooms and the Potomac Valley Radio Club’s one-day seminars—then explains how he brought the idea to Dayton and turned it into a global model. He previews this year’s standout speakers, including W3LPL, NC0B, KE8LQR, and Dr. Tamitha Skov WX6SWW. From propagation to ethics, mobile ops to remote contesting, there’s something for everyone—and maybe more than one late-night pizza party in the mix. Seats are still available for the May 15th event at the Hope Hotel in Ohio. Don’t miss it. Join the conversation and subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio.
I've attended several of the CTUs over the years, I highly recommend it. Even if you're not planning on being a hardcore contester you will learn a lot. 73 from, Steve The K0UO " Rhombic Antenna Farm" miles of wire in the Air & On the AIR daily
Another great video interview! Thanks Kevin! I was able to make a couple of contacts with you during the WPX contest. You were really rocking it. How did you do? Thanks Again 73 de WA4CB - Doug
The only thing "empty" is contesting in ham radio. Mise well play music over the air and spin your VFO knob like the rest of the hackers out there. It just has no point.
Becoming a better contester makes you a better operator. You get all kinds of different situations that you have to adapt to and overcome. DXing makes you a better operator.
Nobody’s twisting your arm to participate. What exactly is your point? Contesting is a waste because you don’t like it? Maybe you should go visit some other site.
If you're not careful, you might learn something that causes you to improve your station, and make it more effective. But that would seem like common sense. Which isn't very "common", man.
