On May 14-16, hams from all over the world will make their way to the Hara Arena, located in Trotwood, Ohio for the 2010 Dayton Hamvention®. Held annually since 1952, Hamvention is one of the largest Amateur Radio gatherings in the world, and as we have been doing since 2005, the ARRL will bring the ARRL EXPO -- a showcase of ARRL exhibits and activities that celebrate the very best of Amateur Radio -- to thousands of radio amateurs. ARRL staff will also present a number of exciting, interactive forums throughout Hamvention weekend.

In 2010, the ARRL is bringing back one of the most popular events at the 2009 Hamvention: the Project Building Workshops. We will once again offer two affordable projects -- a combination keyer/paddle kit and a 24 hour clock -- that hams (and non-hams, too!) can build under the watchful eyes of ARRL Laboratory Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, and his team of instructors. You will get the chance to handle electronic components, circuit boards and even do a little soldering -- and you’ll be mentored each step of the way.

“If you have never built a project before, we hope you will stop by,” said Allison. “We also want to encourage hams who have not built something in a long time to get back in the saddle. Project building is fun, and it’s a great way to build low cost gear and accessories.” Unlock your inner do-it-yourselfer at one of 10 time slots: Friday and Saturday at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, and 9 and 11 AM on Sunday. Pre-registration is required; sign up for these fun projects at the Project Building Booth, located inside the ARRL EXPO area.

ARRL Forum Schedule

Several ARRL staff members will be on hand at Dayton, presenting forums on a number of exciting topics.

• On May 14 at 9:15 AM in Room 2, ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, along with members of the ARRL Public Relations Committee, will present the ARRL Public Relations Forum. In this interactive session, learn about what works -- and what doesn’t work -- in trying to get the word out about Amateur Radio. Learn more about the ARRL’s PR-101 course to teach hams the basics of making -- and keeping -- a good relationship with your town and the media.
• Join ARRL Volunteer Counsel (VC) Jim O’Connell, W9WU, Antenna Zoning for the Radio Amateur author Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, and ARRL VC Paula Uscian, K9IR, will present “Ham Radio and the Law -- Getting It Up and Keeping It Up” on May 14 at 12:15 PM in Room 3. Join this discussion presented by Amateur Radio attorneys on legal issues of interest to hams on topics that include how to avoid restrictive covenants, how to present your case for a tower permit and how to defend against nuisance claims. Learn the latest court rulings on RFI, PRB-1 and towers and get updates on the ARRL’s Legal Defense and Assistance Committee.
• ARRL Laboratory Manager and RFI guru Ed Hare, W1RFI, will present a forum on Power Line Noise on May 14 at 2:30 PM in Room 2. Join Hare as he explains just what power line noise is, how to differentiate power line noise from their noise sources and how to work with your power company, the ARRL and the FCC to get it fixed. Learn how the ARRL is working with the FCC and the power industry on possible long-term solutions to prevent power line noise before it happens.
• On May 15, Hare will present “Antenna Modeling and Propagation Prediction Software” at 10:30 AM in Room 3. Not only will Hare proved an introduction to the software, he will answer common antenna questions to help you plan and build the best antenna for you.
• Join the ARRL on May 15 at 1:15 PM in Room 3 for an interactive session with ARRL national and regional leadership, led by ARRL Great Lakes Division Director Jim Weaver, K8JE. ARRL is a membership organization -- we are here for you. Come share your ideas and ask questions.
• Together with Pitts, ARRL Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator Jack Sovik, KB8WPZ, will present the ARRL ARES® Forum on May 15 at 2:30 in Room 3. Learn about the branding of ARES® and how to best present Amateur Radio and emergency communications to the public. There will also be a discussion on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the ARRL and the American Red Cross.
• ARRL Member and Volunteer Programs Assistant Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, and ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, will discuss “Resources for Clubs” on May 16 at 9:15 AM in Room 2. Join Norm and Maria as they chat about resources the ARRL makes available for Amateur Radio clubs, as well as ways to recruit -- and retain -- members.

At the EXPO -- and Beyond!

When you visit the ARRL EXPO, you will find the huge ARRL Bookstore where you can purchase popular ARRL publications, join or renew your ARRL membership and even pick up official ARRL merchandise. When you join or renew your ARRL membership, you will receive a free gift, but when you join or renew for three years, you will receive a copy of The 2010 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communicators (a $49.95 value). Everyone who stops by gets a free 2010 ARRL Dayton pin (while supplies last). The ARRL Bookstore is also the place to get your supplies for the 2010 ARRL Field Day; this year, Field Day is June 26-27. Gear up for the most popular Amateur Radio operating event with official shirts, hats, mugs and more.

Whether you’re 10 or 110, the EXPO has something just for you. Join young (and young-at-heart) amateurs at the ARRL Youth Lounge. Drop by the ARRL Youth Lounge to meet and socialize with other young hams. Come chat with other hams, listen to music, grab a snack or participate in one of the many activities, such as fox-hunts, scavenger hunts, Morse code fun, a QSL card designing contest, crafts, prizes and more. Whether or not you’re licensed, you’re welcome to come by and join the fun! If you’re looking for other youth during the convention, try calling them on the youth calling frequencies: 145.540 MHz (107.2 Hz CTCSS) primary and 146.430 (233.6 Hz CTCSS) secondary. Not licensed yet? Soon-to-be hams can check-in using FRS channel 1.

Personnel from the ARRL DXCC Branch will be on hand to check your DX cards and applications. All cards will be eligible for checking, including old cards, cards for deleted countries and cards for 160 meters. Applications will be limited to 120 cards (more cards will be checked as time and volunteer Card Checkers are available). See the DXCC Web site for the latest program information and current forms. Representatives from Logbook of the World (LoTW) will also be on hand, giving demonstrations and answering your questions.

ARRL members can drop off their QSL cards at the DXCC booth. If you have QSLs that you would like to send through the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau (your QSLs going to foreign stations --no US-US QSLs, please), you can save the shipping cost to ARRL by bringing them to Dayton and the League will transport your cards to the Bureau in Newington.

Be sure to stop by the EXPO to meet IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, former IARU President Larry Price, W4RA, and IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD, at the interactive IARU booth. The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) from Germany and the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) will also be on hand.

If you enjoy waxing nostalgic over the gear of yesteryear, drop by the exhibit area to meet vintage equipment photographer Joe Veras, K9OCO. He will be autographing his book, 50 Years of Amateur Radio Innovation  -- filled with photographs of classic and legendary transmitters -- that was published by ARRL.

ARRL staff are getting ready for all the excitement that Hamvention brings. Why not make plans to join in on the fun? Travel and lodging information is available on the Dayton Hamvention Web site.