Otis NP4G: Dayton Hamvention 2026 Amateur of the Year

Dr. Jose “Otis” Vicens NP4G is the 2026 Dayton Hamvention Amateur of the Year—a Puerto Rican orthodontist, DXpeditioner, and president of INDEXA who has spent years turning big radio dreams into real-world action.

Otis first got licensed at 16 after a CB contact nudged him toward amateur radio, and the hook was simple: the thrill of talking to someone far away. That early spark carried him from Purdue University’s W9YB Amateur Radio Club to emergency communications after hurricanes in Puerto Rico, to major DXpeditions that once felt almost mythical from the audience at the Dayton DX Forum. Now he’s one of the people making those adventures happen.

This conversation traces that arc beautifully. Otis talks about getting the call to join the Bouvet team, preparing for the cold from the Caribbean with gym sessions and cold showers, and discovering firsthand how Starlink has changed modern DXpeditioning. He also tells the story behind the 2026 KP5/NP3VI Desecheo operation—a Puerto Rican-led effort that required diplomacy, patience, and a lower-impact operating model to win approval for one of the most coveted nearby entities in DX.

There’s also a deeper philosophy underneath all of it: say yes to ham radio. Whether it’s contesting with the La Sierra crew, operating from K3LR, activating St. Barts from a nature reserve, or helping INDEXA support the next rare one, Otis comes across as someone who understands that this hobby gives back in proportion to the heart you put into it. For viewers who enjoyed past conversations with Jose WP3Z and Manuel WP4TZ, this is another great look at the camaraderie and ambition coming out of Puerto Rico.

Welcome to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio.

 

Congratulations, Otis! DX IS!

 

Enhorabuena Doc!

 

Congrats to a wonderful friend... Very dedicated and a true ambassador to Ham Radio... Very well deserved recognition.

73,
Nomar, NP4H

 

Well done Otis. Smashing interview.

 

Doc, Great Achievements ! Thank You!

 

FELICIDADES!!!!!! NP4G DE PARTE DE KP4LV 73

 

Fleicidades. Blessings to you.

 

FELICIDADES KP4YI

 

Bendiciones otitis Np4G desde Hcao PR....MIKE
Kp4mcr ..
Felicidades

 

Well deserved! Congrats!

 

Enhorabuena. Bien merecido 73s

 

Good job !! 73's

 

Gratis Mr.Otis/NP4G For the Island of Puerto Rican Ham's radios evolution and ingrese the comunicaciones skills on & off the emergencias escenarios!!! 73 the Daniel Rivas/KP4DRB!!!

 

Gratis