DX Engineering and Icom America recently donated an Icom IC-7610 HF/50 MHz All Mode Transceiver to help upgrade the operating capabilities of young amateur radio enthusiasts in the southeastern African nation of Malawi.
The donation supports the work of the HacDC Amateur Radio Club (W3HAC), a Washington, D.C. group that, among other activities, mentors and licenses new amateur radio operators in Malawi and Uganda.
As part of the HacDC’s Malawi Project, the amateur radio club will be opening the Jeffrey Dahn Learning Center in the village of Embangweni, Malawi, in late 2024. The center will be dedicated to the memory of Jeffrey, KB3ZUK (SK), past president of the HacDC.
The center will focus on a range of educational initiatives, including teaching amateur radio, STEAM education (science and technology, engineering, arts, and math), film production and editing, and English.
Located in Malawi’s northern region, Embangweni has a population of 5,000. To support this important work, click the Donate Page from the W3HAC website and select “Malawi Project” from the dropdown menu.
In June and September 2024, several young Malawians earned call signs thanks to their hard work and the support of the HacDC: Abraham, 7Q4AM; Blessings, 7Q5BM; Urgent, 7Q6UJ; Mwabi, 7Q2MM; Arnold, 7Q8AC; and Praise, 7Q8P. They will be employing the IC-7610 during the 2024 CQ WW DX Contest October 26-27, using the 7Q1 call sign.
“Let’s help license new amateur radio operators and create new amateur radio societies in Africa! We truly appreciate the kind and generous support of DX Engineering and Icom,” said Don Jones, K6ZO/7Q6M, an HacDC member who has played a key role in the Malawi Project and in introducing ham radio to young operators in Africa. Jones noted that amateur radio license fees in Malawi are $50 per year as in most African countries.
The transceiver donation is part of DX Engineering’s ongoing commitment to support bright and enthusiastic young amateur operators at home and around the world—the next leaders and innovators in the global ham radio community.
“The benefits that ham radio brings to a young person’s life are immeasurable, from the ability to connect with people around the world to the technological enrichment so rooted in the hobby.
“DX Engineering is proud to help new operators succeed on the air and in whatever they pursue in their lives. The idea of giving back, as demonstrated by K6ZO and everyone involved in the Malawi Project, remains an essential part of what it means to be part of the amateur radio service.
“They have our greatest admiration.”
Tim Duffy, K3LR, DX Engineering CEO
