Mark Wohlschlegel, WC3W, has had a distinguished 61-year journey in the world of ham radio, leading to his leadership of the DX Marathon program. Since taking the reins in 2022, Mark has overseen remarkable growth in the program, with participation increasing by over 50% in just the past year alone. His strategic focus on making the DX Marathon accessible to all hams—regardless of their equipment or experience—has revitalized the program and brought new life to the art of DXing, the pursuit of contacting distant radio stations across the globe. DXing, at its core, is about the thrill of long-distance communication. The DX Marathon, however, elevates this pursuit into a year-long challenge where hams compete to see who can contact the most countries and CQ zones. The beauty of the DX Marathon lies in its simplicity—no expensive gear or complicated procedures are required, making it a perfect entry point for newcomers and a fun challenge for seasoned operators. Mark has also made significant strides in expanding recognition for participants, adding more plaques and certificates to honor achievements and encourage continued participation. His dedication to outreach through platforms like Zoom has further propelled the program’s global growth, making DXing more accessible and exciting for operators worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned DXer or new to the hobby, the DX Marathon offers a rewarding way to engage with ham radio’s most thrilling aspect. Join the conversation, explore the world of DXing, and see how you can push your own limits. If you enjoyed this discussion, please subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio. 73, Kevin Thomas W1DED.
What a fun and informative interview! I saw one of his Zoom presentations last January and then forgot about it. His energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Submitting my QSOs to the DX Marathon is now on my calendar. I hope they adopt a scoreboard - perhaps something similar to the State QSO Party Challenge Leaderboard.
Great interview, as always, but also a great program. I love the leaderboard idea and am looking forward to it next year! I’ll submit my log for this year but will need to find out how to handle a callsign change.
Kevin, Thanks for bringing this information to those of us unaware of the DX Marathon. I really think this is a great idea and sure appreciate the enormous amount of effort supplied by Mark. I don't Not want to wish my life away but thanks to this interview I have an new event for 2025! 73 Allan
Good Morning! I'm interested in organizing a DX Expedition to Palawan Island, Philippines in 2025 (alternate 2026). I have never been able to monitor any stations from there and hope to change this for the community. I have full use of a 3-acre site with 360-degree view of clear sky, shelter, water and power that is on most of the time. I also have several large trees to hang wire from with local help that want to learn the hobby as well. Proper licensing and the in-country stay are also available for myself and my support. So, with those basics in hand, how do I get this idea out there and get this rolling? Are there sponsorships? Ways to advertise where and when I will be on the air? Anything I'm not thinking about yet? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 73 (KE8IGL)
Thank you Mark!!! WC3W We need people like you and everyone who somehow takes the time to create strategies that take us beyond the present, because we need new attitudes, Once again, thank you all 73
