Jim Idelson , K1IR

Jim was first licensed in 1972 at age 13 in the Boston, MA area and has been active in amateur radio for more than five decades, with experience spanning contesting, public service, and technical pursuits. An active contester since his first Novice Roundup, he built a small but competitive DX contest station in the late 1990s focused on Multi-Single operations.

Jim’s contesting highlights include multiple ARRL DX and CQ WW MS wins, including setting a new ARRL DX CW W/VE MS record in 2004. Jim has participated in numerous winning multi-operator efforts and has operated from the DX side from locations including PJ7, OE, JA, PY, and ZF. In recent years, his greatest satisfaction has come from station-building and mentoring the next generation of skilled operators.

Professionally, Jim brings experience in strategy, execution, and performance measurement for successful for-profit and non-profit organizations. He is a charter member and past President of the Yankee Clipper Contest Club, a member of CWOps (#73), an active Volunteer Examiner, and a contributor to tower safety content in ARRL publications.

Jim also supports amateur radio advancement through grant evaluation and nonprofit board service, and is the founder of the Zero Falls Alliance, focused on promoting safe tower and antenna construction practices.