• ARRL National Convention

    From ARRL de WD1CKS@VERT/WLARB to QST on Mon Oct 5 14:46:00 2020
    10/05/2020

    ARRL and the Orlando Amateur Radio Club (OARC) have announced that the ARRL National Convention and Orlando HamCation[1]­ - which was to host the convention - have been postponed until February 10 - 13, 2022. The convention had been set for next February.

    "The joint decision came after considering the national public health emergency including the health and safety of all participants, the uncertainty that continues to impact our organizations, and the reluctance to travel to, and attend, large events," said ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA. "We regret the disruption to the hard work already completed by so many volunteers preparing for the ARRL National Convention and HamCation."

    "While postponing was a difficult decision, our top priority is delivering a safe and successful HamCation experience for everyone, including our attendees, dedicated volunteers, exhibitors, and service partners," said HamCation General Chairman Michael Cauley, W4MCA.

    OARC President John Knott, N4JTK, noted that holding the convention in 2022 will mark the 75th anniversary of HamCation - one of the largest annually held gatherings of radio amateurs in the US. The published gate figure for 2020 was 24,200 for all 3 days.

    "We want our diamond anniversary show to be an exciting, five-star event," said Knott. "We look forward to seeing you in Orlando in 2022, and hope that you and your loved ones remain safe in the months to come."­

    A full day of National Convention programming and training sessions was previously scheduled to precede HamCation. That will be rescheduled for Thursday, February 10, 2022. HamCation will host the rest of the convention on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 11 -13, 2022 at the Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park in Orlando - an 87-acre lakefront fairgrounds.

    Cauley said HamCation may organize some online presentations and programs for what would have been HamCation 2021 next February. A QSO party is also under consideration. The HamCation website[2] will soon post details, including information for anyone seeking refunds and other options for pre-purchased tickets and exhibit space. Follow HamCation on Facebook[3], Twitter[4], and Instagram[5].

    Further details and any changes will be shared via these official websites:­


    o 2022 ARRL National Convention[6]­
    o Orlando HamCation[7]




    [1] http://www.hamcation.com/
    [2] http://www.hamcation.com/
    [3] https://www.facebook.com/Hamcation/
    [4] https://twitter.com/Hamcation
    [5] https://www.instagram.com/Hamcation/
    [6] http://www.arrl.org/expo
    [7] http://www.hamcation.com/

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  • From ARRL de WD1CKS@VERT/WLARB to QST on Thu Feb 10 17:16:00 2022
    02/10/2022

    ÿThe ARRL National Convention kicked off this morning with more than 1,000 hams gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld. There, they attended any of four simultaneous Training Tracks running morning and afternoon, bisected by the mid-day convention luncheon.

    The four Training Tracks were Contest University, Emergency Communications Academy, Hands-On Handbook, and Technology Academy. In Contest University, which was run by Track Leaders Tim Duffy, K3LR, and Teri Grizer, K8MNJ, along with ARRL Staff Liaison Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, attendees garnered tips and knowledge on how to improve and optimize their contesting techniques and skills, not only for fun and points, but as rehearsal for emergency communications when the assistance of ham radio operators is direly needed.

    There was a full house in the Emergency Communications Academy, which covered current protocols, techniques, and responsibilities for volunteer radio amateurs as they serve partner public safety entities. Thanks for this workshop go to Track Leader Rick Palm, K1CE; Lead Instructor Gordon Gibby, KX4Z; ARRL Staff Liaison Mike Walters, W8ZY, and a panel of nationally recognized subject matter experts and trainers.

    The Hands-On Handbook Track took attendees through a variety of presentations on ham radio operational practices, such as dealing with radio frequency interference, writing ham-related programming code, remote operating, and more. The Track Leader was Josh Nass, KI6NAZ, familiar to many hams as the creator of the popular YouTube channel Ham Radio Crash Course and the 2020 winner of the ARRL Bill Leonard Award, and the ARRL Staff Liaison was Steve Goodgame, K5ATA.

    The Technology Academy was led by Kristen McIntyre, K6WX, ARRL Director, Pacific Division, with ARRL Staff Liaison Ed Hare, W1RFI. The Track took attendees through subjects that included RF exposure rule compliance, SWR, and digital communications.

    The luncheon keynote speaker was ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, who addressed passion for ham radio and encouraged all to get "radio-active." ÿ

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