The Story Behind THE ARRL W1HQ Install
📡 It All Started with a Call from ARRL…
In early 2025, we were contacted by the ARRL with a specific request: Could we provide an antenna for the W1HQ lab/remote station that offered gain on both 30 and 40 meters?
My response? Absolutely! ✅
I immediately tapped into my long-standing relationship with GXP Antennas in Poland 🇵🇱 — a trusted partner known for top-tier performance. I worked quickly to secure the best possible pricing for the project, knowing how important this upgrade would be for W1HQ. 💼💥
I kept ARRL in the loop and let them know that delivery would happen after April 1st — and the wheels were officially in motion.
After locking in the best price and finalizing shipping details, we were officially contracted to handle the full install of the GXP 30/40 for W1HQ. 🙌
As a life member and longtime supporter of the ARRL, there was no question—this install would be a top priority the moment that antenna touched U.S. soil. 🇺🇸❤️
And sure enough, the antenna arrived right on schedule. But for the first time in nearly a decade of doing international business… a surprise: UPS hit us with a tariff! 😤
Thankfully, it wasn’t too bad—just a few hundred bucks—but still, it caught us off guard. That’s international logistics for you. 📦💸
With the antenna now in hand, we wasted no time. Out in the garage, we began building the brand-new GXP 30/40 on a 20’ boom—a powerhouse build designed to take W1HQ’s signal to the next level. 🛠️📡
The Iconic Orange Tubes
And just like that—it began.
After the GXP arrived in its iconic orange tube and box, we hit the ground running. On April 28th, the build for the W1HQ GXP 30/40 was officially underway, leading up to a May 6th install.
Now here’s the twist… I had to keep it under wraps.
If word got out that we were heading to ARRL HQ, it would've turned into a full-on spectacle—and the last thing we needed was hundreds of hams watching us work! 😅
Sometimes, stealth mode is the only way to get it done right.
Here it is—the GXP 30/40 coming to life right here in New York. 🛠️📡
What many don’t realize is… we build these in-house—every bracket, every bolt. Then we break it all down to fit snugly into our 16-foot trailer for transport.
The material from GXP? Next level.
Take a close look at the photo—those element-to-boom brackets are seriously well engineered. And that vertical pipe? It’s the strut for the 40M element, locking everything into place with rock-solid stability.
We don’t just install—we build with purpose.
Built Better. Delivered Faster. Trusted Everywhere.
Antennas loaded. Rigging gear packed.
We’re officially ready to roll—80 miles to Newington, CT, where the next stop is ARRL Headquarters—the mecca of Ham Radio, where the heart of the hobby beats loud and clear. 📡🔥
In the back? Our 16-foot trailer, loaded with the GXP 30/40 and everything we need to get the job done right. We've been transporting antennas like this for over a decade—from W1/Jonesport to countless MEGA sites—this trailer has seen it all.
But this isn’t just another job—it’s ARRL, and we’re here to do it professionally, safely, and on time.
Trailer loaded. Tools packed. GXP 30/40 ready to rise… and then—boom. Rained out on May 6th. 🌧️
But hey, we don’t stop—we reschedule. New install date? May 13th. Just a few days before Dayton Hamvention… how perfect is that? Timing couldn’t be better to roll in with something fresh off the tower!
6AM on May 13th! Lets roll!
And just like that, May 13th was here.
Bobby and I departed New York, while Nik hit the road from New Hampshire at 5:00 AM, all converging at ARRL Headquarters by 8:00 AM.
The mission: to erect the GXP 30/40 atop the W1HQ tower—a precision install at the heart of amateur radio.
A coordinated effort, a tight schedule, and a shared commitment to doing it right.
Right on time—8:00 AM sharp, Bobby and I pulled into ARRL HQ.
Nik had just arrived a few minutes earlier after his early run from New Hampshire. Thanks to Joe NJ1Q, we had a clear area ready for setup—crucial for maneuvering our trailer, Hudson Valley Tower (HVT), which has been with us since 2008 and logged over 1 million miles on the road.
A quick clarification:
While we now operate as Radio Echo Communications, HVT is still very much in business. We use it for our Remote Ham Radio (RHR) installs and other commercial work tied to that brand. I never rebranded the trailer simply because I’m co-owner in both companies—it all stays in the family. Between 2008 and 2012, while running HVT, we installed over 75 towers for hams across the country—including jobs with NASA and Homeland Security. All while I was still working full-time at Pepsi. Those were foundational years, filled with long days, wild installs, and learning the ropes of a business we love.
But let’s shift back to W1HQ.
Our Staging Area at ARRL
Here’s our staging area—HVT trailer in position, and the GXP 30/40 fully built and ready to go. 💪📡
You’ll notice we’re working right on the blacktop... and let me tell you, if we had to build this from scratch here? It would’ve been a full day of sweating it out on the asphalt. ☀️🔥
Luckily, we came prepared. The entire setup was pre-built, precision-packed, and ready for action—saving us time, sweat, and a whole lot of gatorade.
As we rolled in around 8:00 AM, Bobby made a quick observation— the parking lot was already filling up, and by 9:00, even more cars pulled in. Clearly, ARRL HQ was alive and buzzing.
While we were setting up the pre-built GXP 30/40, a steady stream of employees walked by—many of them women, and every single one greeted us with a smile and a warm “hello.” Great energy and hospitality from the ARRL team!
Then Bobby, who’s not an active ham, turned to me and asked:
“So... what do they actually do in there?”
And honestly—I didn’t have a solid answer. 😅
I told him, “I don’t know, but I’m sure they all have a solid 8 hours of work lined up!”
Just another fun moment during a day full of building, observations, and good vibes.
Greg the ARRL Photographer
Funny thing about working at ARRL HQ— you'd think with a building full of hams, we’d draw a crowd while rigging gear and setting up the GXP 30/40 on the rooftop.
But nope—just a handful ventured out to see what the “crazy guys” were doing out there. 😄
Joe NJ1Q checked in with us early on—always a pro—but he was swamped hosting W1AW guests. It’s a packed week at HQ, especially with Dayton Hamvention right around the corner. Just the day before, he had a crew visiting all the way from Brazil.
But one standout visitor? Greg, the new media photographer for ARRL. Super friendly, great energy, and awesome to chat with.
Those who stopped to watch gave us plenty of space—which was perfect.
The last thing we needed during a rooftop install was a crowd gathering around. It was clear the staff had been asked to keep a safe distance, and we truly appreciated the respect and professionalism from everyone at HQ.
That said, Greg—ARRL’s new media photographer—was right there with us for most of the morning, capturing every angle. And let’s be real… he’s a pro, and we’re just the tower crew with GoPros. 😄
I’m genuinely excited to see what he creates from the footage. No doubt, he caught some perspectives we totally missed. Can’t wait to see his take on the day!
Heres some photos building the GXP 30-40
🛠️ Teamwork in Action at ARRL HQ W1HQ!
As Bobby KC2UPN from Radio Echo Communications put the final touches on the brand-new GXP 30/40, I was up on the rooftop with Nik from VC Towers, working to dismantle the old 30M dipole. 🧰🔧
But this wasn’t just any takedown... The dipole was perched atop a 21' mast 3”, and to reach it, we had to carefully build steps leading up to the top. Not exactly a walk in the park—especially with a Force12 XR5 and 6M beam mounted right below it! 😅📡
The plan? Simple on paper:
Drop the old 30M dipole ✅
Dismantle the XR5 and lower it out of the way 🪜
Tilt the 6M elements vertically so we could attach the tram-line 🎯
Sounds easy, right? Well… not quite! But hey, we’re pros—this is what we do! 💪⚡ Every piece had to come down with precision and care, and we made it happen like clockwork.
📡 Step One: Clear the Deck!
The first mission was simple: get the old antenna down.
It looked like a 30M aluminum dipole—but honestly, it was long enough that it might’ve been a 40M. 🤷♂️ Either way, I wasn’t too concerned about the exact model. The goal was clear: get it out of the way so we could move forward.
Once that was handled, we’d have the space to set up the tram-line—stretching from the rooftop all the way down to the parking lot—to bring the new GXP 30/40 up in style. 🎯🚡
🚨 Time to Fly the Beast! 🚨
With the tram-line rigged and ready, the next step was to get the GXP 30/40 on the line and up to the top of the mast. 🏗️📡
Now, this isn’t a big job for us—we’ve done this plenty of times—but this site came with its fair share of obstacles. First, we had to clear the roofline, then lift this massive antenna above the existing antennas already mounted on the tower. 😳 Not to mention the tangle of wire antennas that had to be disconnected just to make the path safe and clean.
Enter the three-man crew: Nik, Bobby, and me—a team that’s been through plenty of installs together. 💪 We knew the drill. And while this wasn’t the most brutal job we’ve tackled, it definitely had its moments.
The biggest pressure? Our reputation. If we messed this up, it wasn’t just gear on the line—it was our name. And let me tell you something:
Failure is NOT an option. 🚫
🎥 Capturing the Moment — Safely & Purposefully
Yes—we do have drone footage of the tram-up. We hovered the drone right in place and caught the full lift of the GXP 30/40. 🎬
But truth is, we haven’t published it yet… why? Because we’re already deep into the next station build. The work doesn’t stop! 🔧🏗️
Above, you’ll see some of the rigging shots, and up top is a rare angle from Nik’s Insta360, mounted on his hardhat. We were able to capture footage that you just don’t see very often in ham radio. 🎥📡
Now, we fully understand—this kind of work is risky, and for most crews, filming isn’t even an option. But for us, we’ve built a safe, efficient workflow that allows us to do both.
✅ GoPros mounted to the truck
✅ Drones flying hands-free
✅ Helmet cams rolling
✅ Phones ready for quick 60-second clips
We keep it simple, we keep it safe—and we film in a way that never compromises the job.
Believe it or not, some of our biggest impact comes from short clips captured on an iPhone. Millions of views, over and over—just from real, authentic moments on site. 📱💥
Why do we share it? Because we love this hobby. And if our footage can inspire someone new to get into ham radio, or help people understand the real work that goes into building these stations, then it’s all worth it.
🎥 Rare Perspective from the Tower — Nik’s View
This video is from Nik’s perspective, captured through the Insta360 mounted on his hardhat. The camera runs all day—we just swap batteries as needed to make sure we don't miss a moment. 🔋🎬
What you’re seeing here is the tower-side view of the install. It’s raw, real, and incredibly rare. You won’t find this kind of footage anywhere else except on HamRadio 24-7 and VC Towers. 📡⚡
This isn't your typical ham radio content—it’s a look into the kind of work most never get to see.
⚠️ Important Note:
We don’t recommend others try to film footage like this. What we do takes experience, teamwork, and serious respect for safety. This kind of documentation is not for everyone.
But for us, it’s part of telling the full story. And we’re proud to share it with the community.
🎥 Viewer Advisory – Please Read Before Watching
I recommend watching the video below all the way through—especially the final segments—as it runs about 19 minutes and captures an incredible perspective from the tower.
However, please be advised:
This footage may not be suitable for everyone. Some viewers have experienced nausea or vertigo due to the height and movement captured on camera.
If you’re sensitive to that kind of motion, proceed with caution. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy a rare look at what it’s like to be on the tower during a real-world antenna install.
Photo with Joe NQ1J
🏙️ On the Rooftop with a Legend
Up on the roof with Joe NQ1J, station manager of W1AW and a true fixture at the ARRL for over three decades. Joe’s not just a seasoned pro—he’s also one of the kindest and most down-to-earth guys you’ll meet in this hobby. 🙌
Throughout this project, Joe was my go-to. He gave us the space to do what we do best, trusted the process, and made sure everything stayed on track. That kind of support makes a huge difference.
And when the install was complete, before anything got hooked to the switch—you’ll notice the SWR analyzer in my hand—we swept the antennas to make sure everything was great. 📡🔍
🙏 Grateful for the Opportunity
I truly believe this install at ARRL HQ was a one-time opportunity—and I’m incredibly thankful we were able to be part of it. 🙏📡
ARRL has a full-time tower professional. But the timing lined up perfectly: they needed a high-performance 30/40M antenna, and I just happened to be available when the antenna arrived in the U.S.
📡 Behind the Scenes: W1HQ Install
Before posting, I made sure to ask for permission to share anything about the ARRL W1HQ install. Truth is, we captured all this footage without even knowing if we’d be allowed to post it. We were just focused on doing the job right—and documenting it in case we could share the story later. 🎥🔧
We’re proud of how it all came together—and even more grateful we got the green light to share it with you. Stay tuned… the best clips are still coming. The full version of the Install will be posted here and on YouTube.
🎉 The Final Install – W1HQ Gets a GXP 30/40!
Here it is—the final install of the brand-new GXP 30/40, now proudly perched on top of the mast at the legendary W1HQ station at ARRL HQ! 🇺🇸📡
Nik is on the tower, I’m up on the rooftop, and together our three man team made it happen! 💪🔥
This is just a small glimpse of the project—we’ve got way more content than what we’ve shared here. Behind the scenes, drone shots, helmet cam views, and more are coming!
👉 Don’t miss it—follow us for more builds, big installs, and rare access to high-level ham radio action:
📺 YouTube & TikTok – [HamRadio 24-7]
📘 Facebook – [W2RE-Jonesport]
We’re reaching 10 million views every month—and we’re just getting started. Thanks for being part of the journey! 🙏🚀
🙏 Thank You, ARRL – A Project to Remember
I want to extend a sincere thank you to Joe NQ1J, Station Manager, and David NA2AA, CEO of the ARRL, for the opportunity to make this project a reality for the W1HQ station.
It was an honor to be trusted with the install, and I truly appreciate the support and collaboration from both of you throughout the process.
This was more than just another job—it was a fun, meaningful project at one of the most iconic locations in all of ham radio.
Grateful to have played a small part in it. On to the next one! 🙌📡
