Traditional DXpedition methods are being challenged by rising costs, prohibitive environmental constraints and growing restrictions on transportation services. As a result, many DXCC entities that perpetually sit at the top of the DXCC Most Wanted list will retain their position at the top of the list, denying access to DXCC Honor Roll for many until forward-thinking teams develop some novel solutions to address some tough problems.
In the past few years, there have been some risk-taking hams who have used modern station design concepts and remotely-controlled DXpedition stations to create massively successful DXpedition operations using new approaches to the DXpedition game. At the 2025 International DX Convention, the convention team will be offering an all-day event on Friday, 11 April, of the 3-day convention. A series of panel discussions and demonstrations will be provided to DXers, DXpeditioners, contest station designers and hams of all interests that will provide insights to where things are likely to be heading in amateur radio.
Speakers/panelists will include George Wallner (AA7JV), Bart Janke (W9JJ), Don Greenbaum (N1DG), Gerry Hull (W1VE), Bill Fehring (W9KKN), Gregg Marco (W6IZT), Ned Stearns (AA7A), Glenn Johnson (W0GJ), Kevin Rowett (K6TD) and possibly others. The following topics will be the focus of a series of 45-minute panel discussions that will be completely open to audience participation:
- Mission analysis
- Search for solutions
- Distributed team building
- Data networks for amateur radio
- Radio system designs
- Managing user experiences
- Station integration and test
- Pulling it all together and executing at a high level
| Time start | Time End | Session Title | Host/Emcee | Panelists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:45 | 8:00 | Introduction | Ned Stearns, AA7A | |
| 8:00 | 8:50 | Mission Planning - Addressing Constraints | Ned Stearns, AA7A | George Wallner, AA7JV |
| Bart Janke, W9JJ | ||||
| Don Greenbaum, N1DG | ||||
| 9:00 | 9:50 | Evoloving Solutions | Don Greenbaum, N1DG | George Wallner, AA7JV |
| Ned Stearns, AA7A | ||||
| 10:00 | 10:50 | Distributed Team Building | Glenn Johnson, W0GJ | Don Greenbaum, N1DG |
| Gregg Marco, W6IZT | ||||
| 11:00 | 11:50 | Data Networks for Amateur Radio | Ned Stearns, AA7A | Adrian Ciuperca, KO8SCA |
| Kevin Rowett, K6TD | ||||
| 11:50 | 13:00 | Lunch | ||
| 13:00 | 13:50 | Radio System Designs | Kevin Rowett, K6TD | George Wallner, AA7JV |
| Gregg Marco, W6IZT | ||||
| Bill Fehring, W9KKN | ||||
| 14:00 | 14:50 | Managing the Operator Experience | Ned Stearns, AA7A | Gerry Hull, W1VE |
| Kevin Rowett, K6TD | ||||
| George Wallner, AA7JV | ||||
| 15:00 | 15:50 | Station Integration & Test | Glenn Johnson, W0GJ | Ned Stearns, AA7A |
| Robin Alexander, W7YEB | ||||
| 16:00 | 16:50 | Scheduling and Execution | Robin Alexander, W7YEB | Glenn Johnson, W0GJ |
| Adrian Ciuperca, KO8SCA | ||||
| Don Greenbaum, N1DG |
Watch for details on the IDXC website in the coming months. Consider attending this first-of-its kind event that will introduce you to the next generation of DXpedition and distributed/flexible contest station designs.
