01/31/2025

Amateur radio operators from across the country, and even from around the
world, flock to Florida in February for the annual Orlando HamCation[1]¨ - one
of the largest and most anticipated hamfests in the country.

HamCation includes all the popular mainstays of a full-featured convention,
including exhibits and vendors, swaps, tailgate, and food. A full slate of
forums will cover emergency communications, outreach to younger audiences
(teens and college students), and high-tech topics like software-defined radio
(SDR), remote operating, antenna design, and the fascinating world of pico
balloons and tiny transmitters.

This year's HamCation will also host the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention.
This highlights the region's active amateur radio community and
member-volunteers from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the US
Virgin Islands. ARRL representatives, including ARRL Southeastern Division
Director Mickey Baker, N4MB, and Vice Director Andy Milluzzi, KK4LWR, will be
in attendance, along with First Vice President Kristen McIntyre, K6WX, and CEO
David Minster, NA2AA. It's a great opportunity to engage with some of the key
voices in the world of amateur radio, and to find out ways you can volunteer
and extend your support for ARRL.

For those eager to get hands-on experience, attendees will be able to operate
special event station W1AW/4 throughout HamCation (be sure to carry a copy of
your amateur radio license). There will also be satellite operating
demonstrations, organized by ARRL members Sloan Davis, N3UPS, and Tom Gaines,
KB5FHK.

A helpful addition for navigating the sprawling event is the ARRL Events[2]
app, which is free to download for both Apple and Android devices. The app will
help you find and schedule forums, track prize drawings, and locate all the
vendors. It's a great way to make sure you don't miss any of the action. Visit
your app store to download the app (search "ARRL Events") or via the following
link: www.tripbuildermedia.com/apps/arrl[3] (or use the web version[4]).

Orlando HamCation is February 7 - 9, 2025, at the Central Florida Fairgrounds
and Expo Park in Orlando, Florida. More details on the web at
www.hamcation.com[5].


[1] https://www.hamcation.com/

[2] http://www.tripbuildermedia.com/apps/arrl

[3] http://www.tripbuildermedia.com/apps/arrl

[4] https://www.tripbuilder.net/html5/arrl

[5] http://www.hamcation.com/


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þ Synchronet þ Whiskey Lover's Amateur Radio BBS