How Flyover Country Made a Contesting Giant: Pat Barkey N9RV

Pat Barkey N9RV is a Contest Hall of Famer whose radio journey began with a childhood plan to stay connected to his best friend over a summer apart. What started as a search for CB radios led him instead to a neighbor’s ham shack — and into a lifelong obsession with CW, contesting, and station building. First licensed in 1967, Barkey quickly found himself handling traffic in Michigan and later immersed in the competitive scene at the University of Michigan, surrounded by future contesting greats like K8QKY and N4KG. Now operating from Montana, Barkey is a consummate station builder and CW competitor with four custom-built multi-tower stations to his name. He's one of the rare contesters more likely to be found with a wrench in hand than chasing someone else’s dream station. His career is defined not just by operating skill — though he's racked up plenty of Top Ten finishes and WRTC appearances — but by a deep, practical understanding of the hardware and human connections that power contesting. In May 2025, Barkey was inducted into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame — a recognition not just of his wins, but of his ethos: contesting as a vehicle for friendship, storytelling, and technical curiosity. From his early days in Michigan to his joke-filled rivalry with KL9A in Montana, Barkey embodies the spirit of radiosport — competitive, collaborative, and never quite finished building. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. This episode of Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio is powered by Icom—innovative radios trusted by amateur operators across the globe.