Hamfests & Conventions

New England QRP Presence at Henniker Mini-HAMfest, March 20, 2022

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Carl Achin, WA1ZCQ, writes on the NEQRP mailing list:

It’s Happening tomorrow, Sunday, March 20th, 2022. If you have the time in your schedule Please Join-In on any or all of the planned schedule for this indoor annual mini-HAMfest. Here’s OUR Schedule:

* 6:30AM – Annual Kickoff Pancake Breakfast at “Intervale Farm Pancake House” just a 5 minute drive down the street from the School
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0304/8237/files/Intervale_Farm_Pancake_House_Menu_8-1-2021.pdf?v=1627852323
https://www.google.com/search?q=Intervale+Farm+Pancake+House&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjtyKD0mdL2AhWTkYkEHQicAN4Q_AUoAnoECAIQBA&biw=1600&bih=747&dpr=1

* ~7:30AM+ – Setup of outdoor Special Event Station ” W 1 H ” (Whiskey One “H”enniker), and, indoor setup of our Club Table and Relaxation Area

* 8AM through 2PM – Start of the mini-HAMfest (refer to the URL/link below for the Schedule), with: indoor Flea-Market, Talks/Presentations/Lectures, coffee, food, snacks, beverages, hourly prize drawings, V/E Exam/Test Session, AND MORE. (Grand Prize Drawing at 1PM)
https://k1bke.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/flea-market-2022.pdf
DIRECTIONS/SATELLITE VIEW:
https://www.bing.com/maps?&cp=43.179247~-71.824097&lvl=19&style=h&osid=f6c1ec1a-a433-468b-962c-bf12081062eb&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027
(Enter your starting point in the “A” window)

* ~1PM+ – Our Traditional “After-The-Fest” Farewell Lunch at Sonny’s, just a 3 minute walk from the School
https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/3777799f-2641-4690-8cf0-7ebbff7f3b33/Sonny’s%20Menu_Rev0119_Proof.pdf
https://www.google.com/search?q=sonny%27s+henniker+nh&tbm=isch&chips=q:sonny%27s+henniker+nh,online_chips:sonny%27s+main+street+restaurant:ivZZZ_UTYfk%3D&client=firefox-b-1-d&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiVjcasm9L2AhVcrnIEHemTAewQ4lYoAXoECAEQIA&biw=1583&bih=747

*** COME JOIN-IN ON THE, FUN, EXCITEMENT, CAMARADERIE, AND, MEMORY-MAKING ACTIVITIES. ***

RASON Auction, April 23, 2022

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Come to the RASON [Radio Amateur Society of Norwich] Auction to buy or sell amateur radio gear!  RASON will be holding its annual auction on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall in Gales Ferry, Connecticut.  We welcome all individuals who wish to buy or sell amateur radio and electronic equipment.  This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and is a great opportunity to acquire current equipment and collector’s items. 

More details on the auction can be found at <https://rason.org/rason-auction-information/>. Be sure to tell your friends!

Maine State Convention, Lewiston, April 1-2, 2022

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The Maine State Convention will be held Friday, April 1st and Saturday April 2nd, 2022 at the Ramada Inn & Convention Center, 490 Pleasant St, Lewiston, ME, just off I-95, Exit 80. Talks are free, admission into the vendor area is $10 at the door.

Friday Night Talk Schedule:

7:00 PM: ARDEN MESH Networking Talk & Demonstration Bill Richardson (NG1P)
8:00 PM: Soldering Class, Build a Monitor for Keeping Track of Battery Voltage Joel Curneal (N1JEO) – $10 cost to cover kit
8:00 PM: 6-Meter Magic Lefty Clement (K1TOL)

Saturday Morning Talk Schedule:

10:00 AM: ARDEN MESH Networking Talk & Demonstration Bill Richardson (NG1P)
10:00 AM: Quarter Century Wireless Club (QCWA) Chapter Meeting
11:00 AM: ARRL Forum Fred Kemmerer (AB1OC) New England Director & Phil Temples (K9HI) Vice Director

If you would like to reserve a room at the Ramada Inn for the special rate, please call 207-784-2331 and mention Maine Hamfest Convention.

ARRL Forum at HAM-CON, VT State Convention

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Horace Clark, N1HC with Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
L-R: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC with Horace Clark, N1HC at HAM-CON

New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC and Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI presented at the ARRL Forum at HAM-CON and the Vermont State Convention on February 26, 2022. Also attending the hybrid forum were Assistant Directors: Rob Leiden, K1UI; Cory Golob, KU1U; and Anita Kemmerer, AB1QB. 

The New England Division team provided an update on ARRL activities, introduced New England Assistant Directors and their planning activities, and shared plans for improving communications with the Division. Director Kemmerer attended the event in-person on Saturday and enjoyed the opportunity to meet with and speak with HAM-CON attendees.

HamXposition to Host New England and Hudson Division Conventions

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HamXposition logo

 

In what may well be a “first,” the Northeast HamXposition is proud to announce that it will host both New England and Hudson division conventions this year.  HamXposition will be held on August 26 – 28, 2022, in Marlborough, MA.

FEMARA, the organization that runs HamXposition, voted on February 17 to officially approve the unique arrangement. Attendees included: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, New England Director; Ria Jairam, N2RJ, Hudson Division Director; Phil Temples, K9HI, New England Vice Director; Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, ARRL 1st Vice President and FEMARA President; and Bob DeMattia, K1IW, HamXposition General Chairman. Director Jairam was officially appointed to the HamXposition Committee.

Proceeds from the convention will be directed to scholarships for both New England and Hudson Division students.  Volunteers and speakers will be drawn from both divisions.  Other details will be worked out as things progress.

“It certainly has been a while since the Hudson Division has had a convention” said Ria, N2RJ. “By joining forces with the New England Division for a joint convention, we can bring back a sense of nostalgia and community.” 

“We are excited to have the Hudson Division join with New England to support and grow the 2022 HamXposition event.” said Fred, AB1OC. “It’s a great opportunity to expand HamXposition participation, programs, and work to provide support for the scholarships to young hams in both divisions.”

“Joining the two division events into one convention offers expanded opportunities for attendees, League members, and vendors alike” commented Mike, K1TWF.  “We anticipate larger attendance than we have seen in many years.”

The Northeast HamXposition, formerly known as “Boxboro,” features a Saturday morning keynote address, Friday and Saturday evening banquet dinners with special guest speakers, a large outdoor flea market along with an ample indoor commercial vendor space. The convention’s impressive three-day program of forums and speakers is one of the best in the country.

Bob, K1IW
General Chair, HamXposition 2022

QSO Today Ham Expo 2022 to Feature Two Build-a-thons

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Joe Reynolds, KA1GDQ, writes on the Algonquin (MA) ARC mailing list:

Two prominent Maine amateurs–Rex Harper, W1REX,  and Stephen Houser, N1SH, will join the QSO Today Ham Expo 2022 for a fourth time with two new Build-a-thons, allowing Expo ticket holders to build kits with them, in real time, with demonstrations and mentoring.  Since the interaction is two-way video webinar format, builders can ask questions and get help. Once the Build-a-thon session ends, the recordings will be put up in the Expo library for future reference.

There are two Expo Build-a-thons:

Beginners Build-a-thon
Level: Beginner
Kit: WBB Transmitter
Click here to go to QRPme to purchase this kit

Another slightly more difficult LIVE Build-a-thon
Level: Intermediate
Kit: Tuna Can Switch Inductor Tuner
Click here to go to QRPme to purchase this kit

For more information:

https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/#buildathon

Ham Expo information:  https://qsotodayhamexpo.com

Expo Tickets: https://qsotoday.vfairs.com/en/register-form 

The ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio® in the United States, is a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Partner.  FlexRadio is the Expo’s Platinum Sponsor, and Elecraft is the Gold Sponsor. 

Build-A-Thon kits are provided by QRPme directly and not purchased through the Expo. You must have an Expo ticket to participate in the Build-a-Thons.

photos of two qrp kits

Contoocook Valley Radio Club 2022 Indoor Ham Radio Flea Market, March 20, 2022

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Contoocook Valley RC logoNew Hampshire Section Manager Peter J Stohrer, K1PJS, writes on the NH ARRL Members List:

CVRC 2022 Indoor CVRC
Ham Radio Flea Market
Sunday March 20, 2022
The Henniker Community School
Henniker, NH (West of Concord)

Talk-in: Call K1BKE 146.895 (-600 kHz, PL: 100Hz)
Doors open at 8:00 AM (7:00 AM for sellers) and close at 2:00 PM
Grand Prize Raffle drawing at 1PM for Yaesu 2980 2 meter mobile.
Need not be present to win, just fill out your address on the back of your ticket

Admission: $5 for buyers, $10 for sellers.
Please note: There is no smoking on school property.
Admission price for sellers includes a free table, extra tables are $10 each. There is a limited supply of tables Electrical outlets will be on a
1st come,1st served basis. Questions or Table Registrations please

email Fest@k1bke.org

The V.E. session starts at 9:30 AM
(Registration starts at 9:00) No admittance after 9:30 AM
Contact John Moore (603)496-4482
Candidates must bring the current ARRL-VEC test fee of $15.00, FCC FRN, one photo ID, and one non-photo ID or a valid passport and the original and one photocopy of any amateur license or CSCE that you currently hold.

Refreshments Available!

Special Programs From

Pete Stohrer K1PJS
ARRL Forum 9a-10a

Bob Sletton KB1QV
Self Driving Cars 10a-11a

Dale Clement AF1T
Antennas 11a-12p

Directions from Concord
I-89 north to 202-9 exit left to 114 off ramp left on Rt 114 go to center of town turn right at flashing light. The school is the 5th building on the left. Use entrance in the rear of the school.

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ARRL New Hampshire Section
Section Manager: Peter J Stohrer, K1PJS
k1pjs@arrl.org
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The Vermont State Convention Feb. 26, 2022

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Bob Beaudet W1YRC, writes on the RI ARRL Members list:

Greetings fellow RIers:

ARRL has asked me to blast this information to our small but mighty section. Vermont has lots of snow and possibly the ski fans here can justify heading to Vermont for the 26th and take in the convention as well as spending some time in lots of snow. Have fun.  73, Bob W1YRC

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HAM-CON, the ARRL Vermont State Convention,  February 26

The ARRL Vermont State Convention, known as HAM-CON, will be held Saturday, February 26, at 8AM-1PM live in Colchester, VT and On-Line at HAM-CON.ORG.

If you are in our primary coverage area of Vermont, Northern NH, Northern NY and Southern Quebec, we hope to see you in person. However, anyone, anywhere can take part in HAM-CON. On-Line attendees will get to participate in the forums, will see the flea market room, will get to converse with other attendees in separate video rooms and even watch our special event station W1V.

We have a super line-up planned for this year! ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, will start things off by telling us about 2021 happenings at ARRL and what to look forward to in 2022.  Our newly elected New England Director, Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, will detail accomplishments made and planned for in his first 100 days in office. Dave Casler, KE0OG, author of the “Ask Dave” column in QST, will be on hand to answer all of your technical questions. Ed Hare W1RFI will focus on current issues in radio frequency interference to ham radio operations. We’ll have other great forums on technical and operating topics, plus a totally fun forum never seen before. You won’t want to miss it!

Advanced admission to HAM-CON is only $6, available right on the web site http://www.ham-con.org. If you are not sure of your plans, buy your ticket now and it can be used live or on-line. The price jumps up to $10 on February 20, so don’t wait! Details on early vendor admission and table reservations can also be found on the site.

HAM-CON is one of the first Conventions of each year and the only New England Convention held in the first quarter. Be sure to join us to keep connected with other ham radio operators from the North Country and learn why we are considered the “best little hamfest in the world.” Hope to see you there, live or on camera!

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ARRL Rhode Island Section
Section Manager: Robert G Beaudet, W1YRC
w1yrc@arrl.org
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