Hamfests & Conventions

HamXposition to Feature EmComm Trailer Exhibit

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photo of Woodmont ARA mobile communications unit
Woodmont (CT) ARA mobile communications unit

Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator Stu Solomon, W1SHS, writes:

 
New for 2023 we have invited area organizations to bring their EmComm trailers to the HamXposition to put on display and give tours.  We have a number of groups that have agreed to bring their trailers and vans, some from a fair distance.  Convention attendees will have the opportunity to tour the trailers and bring home ideas for their own trailer build outs.
 
We are very excited about this first time event at the HamXposition. There is sure to be some impressive handiwork on display. Stop by and admire their handiwork and bring ideas home.
 

QRP Activities at HamXposition

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

The annual ARRL New England Convention, now-a-days called, “HamXposition” is coming up this weekend, August 25th, 26th, & 27th, that’s Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. NEQRP will be there starting at 8:59AM on Friday morning for the KICKOFF BREAKFAST. There are lots of things to do at this years ARRL Convention! Not only does the Convention have a great schedule, but, NEQRP has a fantastic Schedule as well.

Here, take a look at our Club’s activities and events throughout the weekend:
https://hamxposition.org/neqrp.html
Download the NEQRP Schedule and join-in on whatever tickles-your-fancy:
https://hamxposition.org/NEQRPatNortheastHamXposition2023.pdf

Of course the HAMvention also has many talks and activities as well. Here, take a look:
https://hamxposition.org/Schedule/forum_table.html
https://hamxposition.org/Schedule/index.html

*** WANT TO BUILD A KIT? Know someone that does? Sign-up for our “Build-A-Thon” on Saturday Evening (starting at 7PM):
http://qrpme.com/?p=product&id=NE23

Join-in on any and/or all of the NEQRP activities throughout the weekend. Bring your favorite Field-Ops rig and operate ” W 1 B ” (Whiskey One “B”oxboro!) just outside our meeting room, the Marlborough Room (W-9) at the end of the Hotel West-Wing.
??? Where is the Marlborough Room (W-9) ??? – Here, take a look:
https://hamxposition.org/convention-maps.html

Join us at our off-premises Saturday Evening Dinner Banquet (4:45PM through 6:45PM) for a delicious STEAK, or, anything else you’d like.

Like Pizza? – Like watching Field-Op related videos? – Join us on Friday evening (5PM through 8PM+) for our Kickoff” Meet-‘N-Greet” Pizza Party, Video night, and Social-Hour. Join in on our breakfast and lunch gatherings throughout the weekend. It’s all on the NEQRP Schedule.

When you arrive, call ” W 1 B ” on “The National Simplex Frequency” (146.52 direct), we’ll be listening for YOU!

Questions? Email:
wa1zcq@amsat.org

C U THERE!!!

Minecraft Ham Radio Mod Unveiled at HamXposition

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Minecraft imageThe Minecraft ham radio mod “RadioCraft” will be introduced at the 2023 Northeast HamXposition / ARRL New England Division Convention in Marlboro, MA, on August 25-27, 2023.

RadioCraft will enable simulation of ham radio in the Minecraft game. Game players will be able to build and operate a variety of radios on HF and VHF, with customizable antennas, and realistic simulations of propagation, QRM and QRN, diurnal solar effects, and band conditions. Eventually the project hopes to simulate the full range of ham radio activities including phone, CW, APRS, VHF repeaters, and even fox hunting.

“There will be a continuous demonstration in the convention center lobby,” writes PART of Westford President George Allison, K1IG. “At 11:00 AM on Saturday we’ll have a one-hour presentation by Lucas (W1BTR) and me in the Sterling [“W2″] Room. The presentation will include a live demo of the program, and we’ll talk about how the mod could affect the growth of ham radio.”

If successful, the RadioCraft project could potentially introduce Amateur Radio to millions of young gamers. Every convention-goer is strongly encouraged to attend the presentation and see what the RadioCraft project has accomplished.

“Our goal is to use this simulation to introduce ham radio to the world-wide Minecraft gaming community and then get them licensed so they can participate in the real-world hobby.”

For more information, visit http://wb1gof.org/RadioCraft/.

Yankee Clipper Contest Club Activities at HamXposition

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YCCC at HamXpositon banner

 

The Yankee Clipper Contest Club support of the Northeast HamXposition ranges from solid talks to enthralling hands-on experiences.

Check out the talks by the Club’s senior membership that appeal to new and potential contesters and those looking to take advantage of a wonderful grant program.

Yankee Clipper Contest Club logoThe talks begin at 2:00 on Saturday kicking off with CQ Contest Hall of Fame speaker Doug Grant, K1DG. He will tune up your on-air operating style making you the envy of your entire club during Field Day operations.

Next up is YCCC member John Vogel, N1PGA showing how he has deployed a competitive contest station without the need for tall towers. What’s the secret ingredient? Show up and find out!

Finally, YCCC member and past-President, Jim Idelson, K1IR will educate us on Amateur Radio|Digital Communications (ARDC). ARDC helps communications enthusiasts bring their dreams of innovation to life. Jim will share his recent experience as a member of the ARDC Grants Advisory Committee. 

Stop by the W1A station run by Yankee Clipper Contest Club member W1VE. Gerry has secured the use of the YCCC member K1LZ Superstation located in Jonesboro, Me. Experience the thrills of massive pileups if you dare!

Finally, enjoy the superb hotel hospitality at the DX Dinner featuring YCCC member Don Greenbaum, N1DG and his talk on the “DXpeditioning with a RIB”. Don will describe the genesis of the “Rig in a Box (RIB) from the 2018 Baker Island expedition to implement on C6AGU, FO/N1DG and the recently completed VP6A Dxpedition to Ducie Island. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

HamXposition Prizes Announced

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HamXposition logo

HamXposition 2023 is August 25-26-27 – that’s NEXT WEEK!

At the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

We are pleased to announce the prizes for 2023.

All attendees of the Friday DXCC dinner featuring speaker Don Greenbaum, N1DG, will be eligible to win a $500 DX Engineering gift certificate.

All attendees of the Saturday Grand Banquet featuring speaker Chip Cohen, W1YW, will be eligible to win a Yaesu FT-710 HF-50MHz SDR Transceiver.

Our Sunday door prize drawing features three grand prizes. You do not to be present to win, but you must deposit your general admission ticket stub in the prize barrel at the convention. Many smaller prizes will also be given away for those who are present at the drawing.

First Prize is an ICOM 7610 SDR Transceiver

photo of Icom 7610

Second prize is a Yaesu FTM-500DR 2m/440 dual band FM transceiver

Photo of Yaesu FTM500-DR

Third prize is an Anytone AT-D878UV II Plus handheld transceiver

photo of AnyTone AT-D878-UV II

 

Online Ticketing is closing soon!

There will only be a small number of dinner tickets available at the gate. To9 ensure you get into the dinner, you should purchase your dinner tickets in advance on our website: https://hamxposition.org.

Dinner ticketing closes the evening of Sunday August 20th.

All ticketing (General Admission and Flea) closes Wednesday, August 23rd, though General and Flea are also available at the gate.

I look forward to seeing you there!

73,

Bob, K1IW

HamXposition is Less Than 30 Days Away!

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HamXposition logo

HamXposition 2023 (a.k.a. ARRL New England Division Convention) is coming August 25-26-27 – less than 30 days away. 

Our forum schedule is now available!    Come visit our website to browse over 100 forums, seminars, and workshops available at the convention.

Two new additions on Friday – an AREDN mesh networking workshop where you will be building your own working MESH node and a NanoVNA seminar – learn to use this small but powerful device to analyze antennas and other RF devices.

Our Friday  DXCC dinner will feature Don Greenbaum, N1DG. Don will present “DXpeditioning with a RIB”. Don will describe the genesis of the “Rig in a Box” (RIB) from the 2018 Baker Island expedition to implementation on C6AGU, FO/N1DG and the recently completed VP6A DXpedition to Ducie Island.

Our Saturday grand banquet features special guest “Chip” Cohen, W1YW, an inventor, scientist, and retired professor. Chip will talk about his amusing background, ‘ham-genuity’, and some the pitfalls and pleasures along that tortuous path of invention.

Come meet some old or new friends and maybe learn something new about our hobby!

Do you know someone who really should get their license?  Bill, WZ1L is back this year with his “Tech-in-a-Day” study course, and as always, VE exams are available.

If you wish to stay overnight, discounted hotel rates are available through August 1st – so there are only a few days left to grab the discounted rate.

Visit our website for all details and to purchase tickets in advance:

https://hamxposition.org

Dinner ticket purchasing closes August 20th.

All online ticketing closes August 23rd.

73,

Bob – K1IW
HamXposition 2023

Forums Fri-Sat-Sun
Flea Market Hours: Fri 12-5, Sat 9-5, Sun 9-1
Exhibit Hall Hours: Sat 9-5, Sun 9-1

Call for Volunteers, Maine State Hamfest & Convention

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Cory Golob, KU1U, writes on the Androscoggin (ME) ARC mailing list:

Looking for volunteers who are interested in being a part of the State Hamfest & Committee.

Such tasks include, but are not limited to, planning for:

  • Venue location
  • Vendors
  • Speakers/Talks
  • Giveaways

Operational (non-committee) roles include:

  • Registration Booth
  • Setup/Take Down
  • Vendor Assistance
  • Speaker/Talk Assistance
  • 50/50 Raffle

If you are interested in Committee and/ or Operational roles, please reach out to me.

73 DE KU1U
Cory

HamXposition 2023: Call for Volunteers!

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HamXposition logo

HamXposition 2023 is coming to the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Marlborough, Mass on August 25, 26 and 27. We are actively looking for volunteers to help keep the convention running smoothly. Among the duties –

  • Setup on August 24 Ticketing,
  • Flea Market and Forum Speaker Help on 25, 26, and 27
  • Take Down on August 27

All volunteers are scheduled into two-hour shifts. Those that work two or more shift receive free admission. If you are interested in helping, please visit: https://hamxposition.org/volunteer.html to register.