The Kilowatt Amateur Radio Club (K0KWC) hosted its first-ever Go Kit Challenge on May 17, 2025, at Lamar City Park in Lamar, Missouri—and it was a resounding success! Organized and managed by Tim Ryder, N5STR, the event drew local hams and visitors alike, all eager to see what portable radio ingenuity would be on display.
The contest featured three competition categories:
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50MHz and Up
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Mobile
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Fan Favorite (People’s Choice)
Spectators were handed voting tickets to cast their ballots for the Fan Favorite, while judges evaluated kits based on readiness, innovation, portability, and—most importantly—functionality. All entries had to be fully operational to qualify.
Competition was tight, with many kits showcasing creative layouts, power solutions, and rugged portability features. Some designs were eye-opening examples of practical field communications.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
🏆 Mobile Category – Tim Ryder, N5STR, with his famous Ham Bus, a fully integrated mobile radio station on wheels, designed and built right here in Lamar.
🏆 50MHz and Up – Keith, KF0NMX, took the prize with a unique, efficient, and field-ready kit that impressed the judges with its clean layout and reliable performance.
🏆 Fan Favorite (People’s Choice) – Steve, KF0MDE, won over the crowd with a well-organized and professional-grade portable mobile radio kit.
A very close second place was Jarren, N0TUP, from the Joplin Amateur Radio Club. Jarren was the first on the air to make contacts and received many votes with his unique and efficient kit.
Trophies were awarded on-site, and a good time was had by all. Beyond the fun, the Go Kit Challenge highlighted a critical aspect of amateur radio—emergency readiness. A well-designed go kit could make all the difference when commercial power and communications fail.
The Kilowatt Amateur Radio Club plans to bring the Go Kit Challenge back next year, with Joplin as the planned location and all local clubs invited to participate. It’s a great way to build connections, exchange ideas, and stay sharp for when it really counts.
Until next year—keep building, keep experimenting, and keep operating!
Author: Chris Hunt
VE Team Lead - Facebook Manager - Webmaster - Club Vice-President
