ARRL Forums at 2025 Dayton Hamvention
Salty Walt’s Portable Antenna Forum
Friday 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM in Forum Room 3
Presenter “Salty Walt” Hudson, K4OGO -- of the popular Costal Waves and Wires YouTube channel -- shows you how to make a great antenna for outdoor operations. Learn how to make something simple that goes anywhere and connects you around the world. And get a preview of Walt’s new ARRL book, Salty Walt’s Portable Antenna Sketchbook. This forum is sponsored by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio.
ARRL Membership Forum
Saturday 11:25 AM – 12:50 PM in Forum Room 3
Join Scott Yonally, N8SY, ARRL Director – Great Lakes Division and other leaders from ARRL for an update on the organization’s ongoing efforts to promote and protect the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio, and to develop the next generation of radio amateurs. Learn how ARRL is working to foster a vibrant ecosystem connecting radio amateurs and radio clubs to boost recruitment, licensing, and training efforts. Hear about ARRL’s advocacy efforts for the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act, recently reintroduced to both the US Senate and House. This important legislation seeks to restore the rights of Amateur Radio Operators to install antennas necessary to serve their communities. This forum is sponsored by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio.
ARRL Youth Rally Activities
Saturday 1 PM – 4 PM in Forum Room 3
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. Take part in a foxhunt, help launch a pico balloon, make a contact with a parachute mobile station, and other fun! Bring a 2-meter handheld radio if you have one. This will be led by Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, ARRL Education and Learning Manager. This session is limited to students ages 11 – 21. Pre-registration is recommended at www.arrl.org/expo. This forum is sponsored by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio.
FCC Update
Sunday 9:15 AM – 10:20 AM in Forum Room 2
Presenters:
- Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, ARRL Regulatory and Radiosport Manager
- Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program Administrator
ARRL Regulatory and Radiosport Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, will lead a discussion with FCC officials and ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program Administrator Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, who spent decades in the FCC Enforcement Division about issues facing the Amateur Radio Service and the FCC’s current enforcement efforts. Learn more about types of complaints that are filed; ARRL’s process for helping members with enforcement and RFI issues, and ARRL’s role in protecting the amateur radio spectrum. This forum is sponsored by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio.
Youth Outreach Through Amateur Radio STEM Education
Sunday 9:15 AM – 10:20 AM in Forum Room 3
Discover from Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, ARRL Education and Learning Manager, 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 sponsored by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio.
ARRL Radiosport Forum -- Level Up!
Sunday 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM in Forum Room 2
Presenter: Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, ARRL Regulatory and Radiosport Manager
Make the most from DXing and contesting! ARRL Radiosport leaders will share an update on 2025 contests, award hunting, and other radiosport activities like the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) 100th Anniversary activity and 2025 ARRL Field Day (June 28 – 29). Also learn how to find a contest club in your area to get a seat on a winning team. Get a free 2025 ARRL Field Day sticker for attending this forum, while supplies last. This forum is sponsored by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio.
ARES – Building Relationships in Public Service
Sunday 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM in Forum Room 3
Volunteer operators working within the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) provide a valuable resource to their communities. That public benefit is built on a foundation of trust with the agencies local groups serve. In this forum with Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, ARRL Director of Emergency Management, you will get an overview of the goals and direction of the ARES program -- including how partnerships and collaboration are key. Program leaders will talk about how community service and emergency communications have evolved in recent years, and why the Amateur Radio Service is as critical as ever in a robust disaster plan. This forum is sponsored by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio.
