Hamfests & Conventions

The Northeast HamXposition has posted its preliminary schedule of talks and forums to be held on August 21-24, 2025. 

The list is available at https://registration.hamxposition.org/Schedule/. 

Carl Achin, WA1ZCQ, writes on the New England QRP mailing list:

Go to Rex Harper’s Website:
http://www.QRPme.com
and read the latest “UPDATE”. … As most of you know, Rex as stopped sponsoring Lobstercon. It was a Great Run of 25 years, till 2024. At our last Lobstercon many of us talked about keeping this Radio Family Reunion going in future years. I’ve been trying to do just that since our last and final Lobstercon at Thomas Point Beach Campgrounds. It’s been a long road of trying to track down Mike Mulligan (now the former owner of TPB Campgrounds), talking to Rex about, logistics, planning, and, scheduling, and, tracking down the new owner of the Campgrounds. And you know what? I finally did it. After calling and trying to sell our Annual Radio Family Reunion to Brian (the new owner) I was thinking, all is going smoothly. In reality, Brian has BIG plans for his new Campgrounds. I talked to him yesterday, July 4th. As I type, there are trenches and holes at many places at the old Campgrounds. All utilities have been shut-off. A large in ground pool is going in and individual underground utilities for each campsite. It’s a major project. I was hoping we could use the North Field as in the past, but Brian is concerned with liability with the place dug-up and holes and tranches everywhere. So, yesterday Brian said it wouldn’t be safe, even for our minimalist need. (Tenting in the North Field without any bathroom facilities.)

That, (the above info), isn’t going to stop some of the Diehard July Annual Radio Family Reunion Campers. There will be a gathering, despite being much smaller, with no cooking onsite. There are plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner/supper restaurants in and around Cook’s Corner (Brunswick) Maine.

So, I’ll be hanging around the Cumberland Farms gasoline station and variety store, right at Cook’s Corner, and monitoring Thee National Simplex Frequency (146.52 MHz direct/simplex) from Wednesday the 9th through the 13th. If you dare to continue the tradition, come and enjoy all that Cook’s Corner Maine has to offer. The past memories are PRICELESS!

#1.) Wednesday 3PM – 6PM “Pizza Party”dinner at the NEW Demoulas – Market Basket Kitchen/Cafeteria in TOPSHAM, about a 12 minute drive from Cumberland Farms, Cook’s Corner.

#2.) Thursday – Sub Sandwiches and Drinks, etcetera, 3PM till the conversation dwindles 😉

#3.) Friday 3:30PM – 6PM+ “Taste of Maine” for a Seafood Extravaganza!
https://tasteofmaine.com

#4.) Saturday – Cook’s Lobster House, Lands End, for Our “Saturday Lobster Feast!” Kicking-Off at 3:30PM till the last drink is downed!
https://www.cookslobster.com

#5.) Farewell Breakfast – To be determined. (Most likely, Breakfast Sandwiches, O.J. & Coffee.)

* Have any ideas? Chime-in !!!

Someone was wondering if we could have a QRP Flea-Market Saturday afternoon. I DOUBT IT, since we won’t have a home-base/location for this function this year. BUT, perhaps next year things came be polished-up to resemble our last 2 decades of Tradition.

Some of us have been HAMfest’n at Campgrounds since the 70’s starting at “Charlotte” Vermont, and after that in Cook’s Corner Maine. It’s an Annual Tradition now! *** You have to CREATE Memories to have Great Lifetime/Lifelong Memories! Don’t miss out. Life’s too short! Start packing today for the NEW L-Con Radio Family Reunion TRADITION TODAY. This coming Wednesday the 9th through the Sunday the 13th, and perhaps even Monday the 14th(?).

*** SEE THE DIEHARDS THERE! ***

* * * REMEMBER: Comms on: 146.52 simplex * * *

* Need a Campgrounds? Click here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=campgrounds+in+Cooks+Corner+Maine

Douglas E Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, writes on the Connecticut ARRL members list:

TOMORROW !!!

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Hours 9 AM to 2 PM

225 Main Street, Newington, Connecticut 06111

Rain or Shine

So much to do and see!

• Tag Sale. Cash Only. Amateur radio equipment including power supplies, amplifiers, used books, various electronics, and more! First come, first serve (subject to availability; all equipment sold as-is, and untested; no reasonable offer refused).

• Get on the air from W1AW using the world’s most famous call sign!

• Tour the ARRL Lab, Radio Laboratory — W1HQ, and ARRL’s historic radio collection.

• Join, renew or extend your ARRL membership in-person. Get automatically entered in the Dream Station Sweepstakes when you join or renew. See the Icom IC-7760 prize!

• Donate to the ARRL Diamond Club. See the many names and call signs honored in the ARRL Diamond Club Terrace.  Shop the ARRL Store in the main lobby – and get your 2025 ARRL Field Day t-shirts and gear!

• DXCC Card Checking and LoTW Help Desk.

• Historic US Manufactured Amateur Radio Exhibit.

• See the ARRL campus, towers, and antenna arrays.

• Meet many HQ staff and volunteers.

• Explore opportunities to VOLUNTEER at ARRL HQ.

• Enter to win a door prize.

• Check out CAREER opportunities for you, or someone you know. Work for ARRL!  And, come share with us what you enjoy about amateur radio and ARRL!

BONUS: Meet your Connecticut Section Manager and say “HI”.

——————————————————————–

ARRL Connecticut Section

Section Manager: Douglas E Sharafanowich, WA1SFH

wa1sfh@arrl.org

——————————————————————–

From Northeast HamXposition.org:

Major prizes have been announced at the 2025 Northeast HamXposition. 

“Our website lists the door prizes that have been both donated by vendors and purchased by the committee,” explains Prize Chair Larry Krainson, W1AST.

The New England Amateur Radio Festival (NEAR-Fest) will be held Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the Hillsborough County 4H Fairgrounds, 17 Hilldale Lane, New Boston, NH. 

“We’ve got an incredible flea market lined up, packed with radios, electronics, unique finds (You never know what you might find!), and all the camaraderie that makes NEAR-Fest the legendary gathering it is. Whether you’re a seasoned ham, a first-time attendee, or love the thrill of the hunt, there’s something for everyone! We can’t wait to see all of our friends — old and new — for another unforgettable event.”

Further details on NEAR-Fest can be found at: https://near-fest.com/.

The Port City Amateur Radio Club hosts an annual hamfest and flea market on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the Saint James Masonic Lodge at 77 Tide Mill Road, Hampton, NH.

ARRL New Hampshire Section Section Manager Peter J Stohrer, W1FEA, writes on the ARRL NH members list: