The Northeast HamXposition (“HamX”) and ARRL New England Division Convention on August 21-24, 2025, was a resounding success. The weather for the Marlborough, Massachusetts, event was picture-perfect, the flea markets were buzzing with sales, and major equipment manufacturers Elecraft and Flex were back to exhibit their wares along with other vendors inside the bustling exhibition area.
According to HamX Program Chair Skip Youngberg, K1NKR,“This year’s four-day program featured 72 presenters who gave 82 talks and four workshops spanning over 101 hours.” It’s believed that this programming surpasses that of any amateur radio convention in the world in terms of quantity — or quality.
Topics included everything from antennas, outdoor EmComm vans and trailers on display, along with on-air activities such as POTA, contesting, and DX. There was even a special technical talk entitled “Demystifying Quantum Computing: Application of RF Control System.”
Special interest forums and “meet and greets” included YL, QCWA, New England QRP, MARS, ARRL sections, along with a well-attended youth forum.
HamXposition kicked off on Thursday night, featuring nationally known comedian Juston McKinney. On Friday, twenty convention-goers went on a bus tour of W1AW and ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, while full length educational seminars were held, including the ever-popular mini-Contest University hosted by K1EP and K1G. The Friday evening DX/Contest Banquet talk was presented by well-known multi-multi station owner Tim Duffy, K3LR, CEO of DX Engineering, a major sponsor of the convention.
On Saturday morning, popular QRP YouTube podcaster and influencer Thomas Witherspoon, K4SWL, gave an inspirational convention keynote address to a standing-room-only crowd.
The Saturday Grand Banquet featured Dr. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, from the University of Scranton. Nathaniel is founder of Science Citizen Investigation (“Ham-SCI”). He enthralled the audience with descriptions of cutting-edge experiments conducted by ordinary radio amateurs who are helping to advance the knowledge of propagation and the Earth’s ionosphere.
Dozens of youth members of New England Sci-Tech, a nearby STEM/makerspace, attended throughout the weekend and at the two evening banquets. “Having young hams in the middle of the action in the [hotel] Atrium and running a number of presentations demonstrated the spirit of the future leaders in our hobby,” said Volunteer Chair Barbara Irby, KC1KGS.
HamX featured kit-building sessions led by Bob Phinney, K5TEC, and other volunteers. Under supervision, beginners were invited to build easy kits for a nominal cost in under an hour, ranging from Morse code oscillators, “blinky” name badges and night lights. All tools were provided. The kits were invented by students from New England Sci-Tech.
Members of the Providence (R.I.) Radio Association staffed the convention’s GOTA station, W1XPO. Under the guidance of experienced operators, newer hams made their first HF contacts.
Over $15,000 in prizes were awarded to convention attendees.
The flea market was the scene of many transactions, beginning early Friday morning and lasting until Sunday afternoon. “I want to give particular praise for the flea market, which had more vendors with better selections than in past years,” commented HamX attendee Chuck Chandler, WS1L.
HamX also featured programs on the lighter side, like the Board Games and Social Hour facilitated by Seth Kendall, KC1PZY. Additionally, late-night Open Mic Story Telling, led by Phil Temples, K9HI, allowed attendees to share their ham-radio-related “tall tales” to an attentive audience.
Diane Ortiz, K2DO, Vice President of YLRL, had high praise for the Northeast HamXposition. “I hadn’t been to this event in over 15 years and was amazed . . . It was truly a mini Dayton Hamvention!”
Brian Horne, N1BAM, writes on the CT-POTA mailing list:
From PC Magazine:
ARRL NEW ENGLAND DIVISION
