What: Hamvention^® 2024 -- hosting the 2024 ARRL National Convention

When: May 17 - 19, 2024

Where: Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, 120 Fairground Road, Xenia, Ohio 45385 

Official websites:

• www.hamvention.org
• www.arrl.org/expo

Convention Tickets: hamvention.org

2024 ARRL National Convention Program: download (PDF)

ARRL Events app:

• www.tripbuildermedia.com/apps/arrl (or use the web version)
• Apple App Store
• Google Play app

Travel Planning:

• www.greenecountyohio.org
• www.greenecountyfairgrounds.com
• www.daytoncvb.com

2024 ARRL Youth Rally at Hamvention -- Saturday, May 18
Connect with other young hams at Hamvention! The Youth Rally is intended for students who are 11 to 21 years of age. While Hamvention offers free tickets for youth aged 12 through high school, advance registration for the Youth Rally is recommended. Select the following Youth Rally Registration button for the Youth Rally agenda and registration instructions. The Youth Rally registration fee is $20 and includes a tee shirt (to wear on Saturday), badge, lanyard, and reusable tote bag.

Register for the 2024 ARRL Youth Rally

ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program at Hamvention:

• Visit the Collegiate Amateur Radio booth at Hamvention each year -- located in the ARRL exhibit area.
  
• Join us at the Collegiate Amateur Radio forum at Hamvention.
• Collegiate Amateur Radio Dinner. After spending the day at Hamvention (and participating in the Collegiate Amateur Radio forum), come join us for some casual fun. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided courtesy of the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program! All are welcome including current students, faculty, staff, parents, friends, and alumni. This is a great opportunity to meet and network with other college hams. Please RSVP so we can reserve enough seats (click here to RSVP for 2024).

What is Amateur Radio (or “ham radio"): www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio

2024 ARRL National Convention Program: download (PDF)

Welcome!
ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio® welcomes all members and friends to Hamvention®. Use the following informaiton to find ARRL-sponsored activities, exhibits and program representatives. ARRL’s large exhibit area is located in “Tesla” Building 2.

• Rick Roderick, K5UR – ARRL President
• Scott Yonally, N8SY – Great Lakes Division Director
• Roy Hook, W8REH – Vice Director
• Tom Sly, WB8LCD – Ohio Section Manager 

ARRL EXPO Exhibit Map (PDF); Building 2 -- Tesla

Event App -- ARRL, in partnership with Hamvention, is offering the free ARRL Events app to help attendees navigate the large-scale event. The app will be available soon, and will include Hamvention’s full program, so attendees can browse and schedule forums, find affiliated events, and preview the extensive list of exhibitors. During the event, attendees can use other app features to follow the hourly prize drawings populated by the Dayton Hamvention Prize Committee, and browse building and site maps. Attendees are also encouraged to tap on the MyProfile icon in the app to add their name and call sign, email address, and any additional information they would like to share with other Hamvention guests. Additionally, the MyBadge icon displays a QR code of your event badge that can be scanned by another attendee or exhibitor using the Scan Badge icon – instantly connecting shared contact information with other hams at the event. The app is available for Apple and Android smart devices, or access the web browser version which is optimized for nearly any browser or other type of mobile device. Visit your app store to download the app (search “ARRL Events”) or via the following link:

• ARRL Events app https://www.tripbuildermedia.com/apps/arrl (or use the web version)

ARRL Store
Visit the HUGE ARRL store to join, renew or extend your ARRL membership, and get the latest publications, supplies, and official ARRL merchandise. ARRL Field Day is June 22-23, 2024. Gear up for ham radio’s largest annual on-air events with official shirts, pins, hats, and more!

• FREE Gift when you join, renew, or extend your ARRL membership at the show.
• FREE 2024 ARRL Dayton Button! 

ARRL Booths

• ARES^® – The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service^®
• ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program. We Want U to help advance ham radio among college and university students: www.arrl.org/WeWantU
  
• ARRL Development and ARRL Foundation. Raising resources to extend the reach of ARRL programs & services beyond membership dues.
  
• ARRL Education and Learning. Explore the resources available for introducing radio science and wireless technology to everyone! Find ways to make, discover, experiment, explore, and build.
• ARRL Field Volunteers: Sections, clubs, and volunteers!
• ARRL Great Lakes Division. Visit this gathering area for ARRL Field Organization networking, hosted by the ARRL Great Lakes Division and feature these ARRL Sections: Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan.
  
• ARRL Laboratory
  
• ARRL Meet and Greet area
  
• ARRL Meetup! YouTubers, Authors, and Editors. Meet ARRL authors, editors, and amateur radio influencers who are inspiring today’s radio experimenters, operators and innovators. (see schedule in the ARRL exhibit area)
• ARRL Membership & Store
• ARRL Radiosport and DXCC. DXCC Card Checking, ARRL Contests and Awards, The ARRL Logbook of the World (LoTW), and QSL Bureau.
  
• ARRL Youth Rally Lounge. Register for the 2024 ARRL Youth Rally

ARRL-sponsored Forums at 2024 Dayton Hamvention
(for the complete slate of Hamvention forums, visit the Dayton Hamvention website or ARRL Events app.)

ARES, SAFECOM, and Building Relationships
Friday 9:15 AM – 9:50 AM in Forum Room 3
Presenter: Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, ARRL Director of Emergency Management

In 2023, ARRL was elected to serve on SAFECOM®, a program of the US Department of Homeland Security. SAFECOM supports the public safety community to improve the emergency communications ecosystem. In this Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) forum, you’ll learn about the importance of building mutually beneficial relationships with local emergency management officials, and the importance of our partnerships with served agencies. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

Instructor Academy with Gordon West
Friday 10 AM – 10:50 AM in Forum Room 3
Presenter: Gordon West, WB6NOA, ARRL National Instructor

Join "Gordo" as he shows off many new training tools to help YOU lead your next lively ham radio license classes. Discover a wealth of resources, from fresh newsletters to PowerPoint supplements tailored for Zoom sessions. Whether you're guiding radio clubs or individuals, tap into the ARRL National Instructor Program to elevate your ham radio classes. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

Youth Outreach Through Amateur Radio STEM Education
Friday 11 AM – 11:50 AM in Forum Room 3
Presenter: Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, ARRL Education and Learning Manager

Discover how amateur radio can engage students in STEM education disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and math), igniting their passion for higher education and careers in technological fields. Steve will cover strategies to involve youth in ham radio, from learning about how-radios-work and building things, to communication via satellites and with astronauts -- promising a journey of skill development and friendship. ARRL is empowering the next generation of STEM leaders! This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

Enhancing Transmitter Performance: The ARRL Clean Signal Initiative
Friday 12 PM – 12:50 PM in Forum Room 3

Presenters:
•    Mike Ritz, W7VO, ARRL Second Vice President
•    Rob Sherwood, NC0B, Sherwood Engineering Inc.
•    George Spatta, W1GKS, ARRL Laboratory Manager

Join us to we examine an ARRL initiative aimed at improving amateur transmissions: The ARRL Clean Signal Initiative (CSI). We’ll explore how this work will drive improvements to transmitter design, while educating amateurs on the new standards being created. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

How to Control Your Ham Shack with A Node-RED Dashboard
Friday 1 PM – 1:50 PM in Forum Room 3
Presenter: Kyle Krieg, AA0Z

Node-RED is an easy to learn flow-based programming language that ham radio operators can use to build simple web-based dashboards which provide command, control, and automation in their ham shack. In this presentation we will learn how to get started with Node-RED, what you can control, and some example dashboards. No programming experience necessary as there are ham radio flows already programmed for major manufacturers to get you started. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

Ground is a Myth!
Friday 2 PM – 2:50 PM in Forum Room 3
Presenter: Kristen McIntyre, K6WX, ARRL First Vice President

Ground is something you stand on, but in an electrical sense, the meaning is much less clear. When it comes to hams and ground, things get really confused. We drive rods into the earth, but why? Let's take a look at whether any of this makes sense, and what theory tells us about "ground,” and if it exists in any sensible way at all. We’ll talk about DC grounds, RF grounds, and even about gravity. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

Gaming the Amateur Radio Modes
Friday 3 PM – 3:50 PM in Forum Room 3
Presenter: David A. Minster, NA2AA, ARRL CEO

Delve into the world of radiosport gaming! Whether you're a seasoned operator or just starting out, enjoy these tips and tricks covering station design, operating, instruction, and mastering the art of amateur radio modes including FT8. Push the boundaries of radiosport gaming, and level up! This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.
 
Five Steps to a Successful POTA Activation
Friday 4 PM – 5 PM in Forum Room 3
Presenter: Michael Martens, KB9VBR, @KB9VBRAntennas on YouTube

Parks on the Air® draws thousands of hams to the great outdoors for portable operating fun! Activating a park takes a bit of planning: from park selection, equipment, setup, logging, and reporting. Michael will share tips and tricks he uses along the way for smooth activations. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

ARRL Youth Rally
Saturday 9:15 AM – 5 PM
Leader: Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, ARRL Education and Learning Manager

Connect with other young hams at Hamvention! We’ll get to know each other, and we’ll explore a variety of amateur radio interests and activities. Learn about satellite communications, participate in a short sprint contest, make contact with a parachute mobile station, and other fun! Bring a 2-meter handheld radio if you have one. This session is limited to students ages 11 – 21. Advance registration is recommended.
Register for the 2024 ARRL Youth Rally

ARRL Youth Rally Agenda:
9:15 AM – 12 PM Youth Forum, moderated by Carole Perry, WB2MGP | Forum Room 2
12 PM – 1 PM Lunch (on your own)
1 PM – 4 PM ARRL Youth Rally Activities | Forum Room 3
4 PM – 5 PM ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program (CARP) | Forum Room 3

Good Operators and Interference
Saturday 9:15 AM – 10:50 AM in Forum Room 3
Moderator: Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, ARRL Regulatory Information Manager

Participants:
•    Lark Hadley, KA4A, Director, Region Three, FCC Enforcement Bureau
•    Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program Administrator
•    George Spatta, W1GKS, ARRL Laboratory Manager

This session will include advice for helping each other maintain high standards on the air. Topics will include an update on the ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program and a summary of the program for 2023; how to use the FCC Enforcement Bureau Complaint Portal, for what kinds of cases, and what can be expected after a complaint is filed; ARRL’s process for helping members with RFI issues, and ARRL’s role in protecting the amateur radio spectrum. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

ARRL Membership Forum
Saturday 11 AM – 12:30 PM in Forum Room 3
Moderator: Scott Yonally, N8SY, ARRL Director — Great Lakes Division

Panelists:

• Rick Roderick, K5UR, ARRL President
• Kristen McIntyre, K6WX, ARRL First Vice President
  
• Robert Famiglio, K3RF, Atlantic Division Director, and Chair of the ARRL Amateur Radio Legal Defense & Assistance Committee
• David A. Minster, NA2AA, ARRL CEO
  

ARRL is the National Association for Amateur Radio®. No other organization works harder to promote and protect amateur radio! At this session, you’ll hear from representatives on several key areas of membership interest including ARRL initiatives to engage more youth in amateur radio through STEM education programs and free ARRL membership for students; efforts to recruit and develop greater participation in the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®); ARRL’s work to help hams who are faced with involuntary limitations that limit their amateur radio operations, and more. Members and prospective members are all welcome! This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

ARRL Youth Rally Activities
Saturday 1 PM – 4 PM in Forum Room 3
Leader: Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, ARRL Education and Learning Manager

Connect with other young hams at Hamvention! We’ll get to know each other, and we’ll explore a variety of amateur radio interests and activities. Learn about satellite communications, participate in a short sprint contest, make contact with a parachute mobile station, and other fun! Bring a 2-meter handheld radio if you have one. This session is limited to students ages 11 – 21.
Advance registration is recommended.
Register for the 2024 ARRL Youth Rally

ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program (CARP)
Saturday 4 PM – 5 PM in Forum Room 3
Presenters:
•    Tony Milluzzi, KD8RTT, Advisor, ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative
•    Andy Milluzzi, KK4LWR, Advisor, ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative
•    Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, Staff Liaison, ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative
•    Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, Staff Liaison, ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative

Since the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program (CARP) was established in 2017, we’ve been growing our community of participating students and ham radio clubs at colleges and universities. CARP holds monthly Zoom meetups and make connections through our CARP Facebook group and Discord. Join us! We’re (re)inspiring ham radio among our nation’s colleges and universities, meeting other students, and developing career connections. Students, alumni, and faculty are all welcome! The ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program is sponsored in part by the W1YSM Snyder Family Collegiate & ARRL Affiliated Club Endowment Fund. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

Tips for Successful Radio Clubs
Sunday 9:15 AM – 9:50 AM in Forum Room 3
Presenter: Mike Walters, W8ZY, ARRL Field Services Manager

ARRL Affiliated Clubs are the lifeblood of amateur radio at the local level. This forum will include a discussion of ideas and opportunities for radio clubs that are seeking growth and greater member participation. Topics will include recruitment, licensing, training, engagement, and leadership development. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

ARRL Contest Program Update
Sunday 10 AM – 10:50 AM in Forum Room 3
Presenters:
•    Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, ARRL Radiosport Manager
•    Paul Bourque, N1SFE, ARRL Contest Program Manager

ARRL Contests drive activity to the airwaves, and encourage all hams to develop their stations and skills for optimum performance. This forum will include an update on what’s new for ARRL Contests, including new contests and new categories of participation for HF and VHF/UHF/SHF contests. We’ll wrap up with update on 2024 ARRL Field Day (more operating event than contest), which will be held June 22 – 23. Get a free 2024 Field Day sticker for attending this forum, while supplies last. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

Beyond Repeaters: See How Far Your Tech License Will Take You
Sunday 11 AM – 12 PM in Forum Room 3
Presenter: John McAuliffe, KD2ZWN, ARRL Lab Digital RF Engineer

Explore the full scope of operating privileges and ham radio activities that can be done with a Technician Class license. We’ll cover 3 parts: UHF use and potential projects/activities that can be enjoyed beyond 70 cm; 10-meter digital modes, satellite, and long-range communication; and HF CW privileges which will include a short guide on how to build your own CW encoder/decoder. This forum is part of the 2024 ARRL National Convention track.

ARRL Events app: www.tripbuildermedia.com/apps/arrl (or use the web version)

iOS App

Get the ARRL Events app for your iPhone or iPad.

Android App

Get the ARRL Events app for your Android device.

ARRL will have exhibits at the following 2024 ARRL-sanctioned conventions:

• May 17 - 19 |  Dayton Hamvention^®, 2024 ARRL National Convention, Xenia, Ohio
• May 31 - June 2 |  SEA-PAC, ARRL Northwestern Division Convention, Seaside, Oregon
• June 28 - 30 |  HAM RADIO, Friedrichshafen, Germany
• August 17 - 18 | Huntsville Hamfest, ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Huntsville, Alabama
• August 22 - 25 | Northeast HamXposition, ARRL New England Division Convention, Marlborough, Massachusetts
• October 18 - 20 |  Pacificon, ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California

Visit the ARRL Hamfests & Conventions Calendar for upcoming events.
www.arrl.org/hamfest