ARRLWeb: The 2007 ARRL National Convention at the Huntsville Hamfest

ARRL EXPO 2007
ARRL EXPO is a showcase of exhibits and activities to enhance your ham radio experience. Open to members and nonmembers, ARRL EXPO is jam-packed with official ARRL program representatives, activities (including activities for youth) and forums. Visit the ARRL bookstore for popular publications and products, join or renew your ARRL membership, and pick up official ARRL merchandise. More Info

GAREC-2007: Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference, August 16-17 in Huntsville, Alabama.

Reception Honoring Frank M. Butler Jr, W4RH, Saturday, August 18, 4-7 PM at the Embassy Suites Hotel
Shhh...it's a surprise! Frank M. Butler Jr, W4RH, is the ARRL Southeastern Division Director. The ARRL Alabama Section is proud to host this reception, honoring Frank's dedication and longtime service to ARRL and Amateur Radio. Come and celebrate with us! For more information, contact Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, w4ozk@arrl.org.

D-Star Users Reception
Saturday, August 18, 6-8 PM at the Embassy Suites Hotel
The Alabama D-Star group will sponsor a users group meeting and reception. New and experienced D-Star users are invited to attend. Learn about D-Star networks, and meet other users and digital technology experimenters. For more information, contact Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, w4ozk@arrl.org.

DX Banquet
Saturday, August 18, 6:30 PM in the Von Braun Center Ballet Room
Bob Allphin, K4UEE will speak on the VU7 Lakshadweep DXpedition. Tickets are $29 per person. For reservations, contact Jason Amos, KD4BJW, kd4bjw@bellsouth.net.
Deadline for reservations is Tuesday, August 14 (Jason must have check or cash in hand by August 14).

ARRL Section Managers Meeting
Saturday August 18 at the Embassy Suites Hotel (time TBD)

Hotels

Huntsville International Airport is approximately 12 miles from the Von Braun Convention Center (drive time: 15 minutes), the site of the 2007 ARRL National Convention and Huntsville Hamfest.

The Embassy Suites Hotel is the headquarters hotel of the ARRL National Convention, and is connected to the convention center via a climate controlled Sky Bridge on the second floor. The Holiday Inn is located across the street from the convention center. Discounted rates for the Embassy Suites Hotel and Holiday Inn are available (below). For a complete list of hotels, visit the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Embassy Suites Hotel -- ARRL National Convention headquarters hotel. Group/Convention code: HAM. Rate: $119. Reservations: 1-800-EMBASSY or http://www.embassysuiteshuntsville.com. This is a brand new hotel, and is connected to the convention center via a sky bridge. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center, home to Space Camp®, is just a short drive from the hotel. Complimentary cooked to order breakfast and a manager's reception in the evening is included. Each room features flat panel plasma TVs and fiber optic cabled high speed wire and wireless internet access. There are additional fees for self parking ($4) and internet access. Free internet access is available in the lobby area. A limited number of rooms are also available on Wednesday and Thursday to help accommodate early arrivals for the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference.

Holiday Inn. Group/Convention code: HAMFEST. Rate: 74. Reservations: 256-533-1400 or phone Holiday Inn Central Booking at 1-877-465-4329. The hotel is located across the street from the convention center, and is the official Huntsville Hamfest hotel.

Huntsville Marriott. Reservations: http://www.marriott.com. The hotel is approximately 10 minutes from the convention center, and is located adjacent to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

ARRL EXPO

ARRL EXPO is a large exhibit area located in the South Hall of the Von Braun Center. This is a showcase of ARRL exhibits and activities to enhance your Amateur Radio experience.

ARRL Bookstore (ARRL EXPO area)
Visit the HUGE ARRL bookstore to purchase popular ARRL publications, join or renew your ARRL membership, and pick up official ARRL merchandise.

ARRL Passport
ARRL Passport is the ultimate convention scavenger hunt. Pick up your free ARRL Passport at the ARRL EXPO exhibits area. Use your ARRL Passport as you wander the hall and participate in activities. Look for Passport signs throughout the convention, and collect Passport codes to qualify to win great prizes! No purchase necessary to participate. Each copy of ARRL Passport includes the official rules and entry form. Limited to the first 2,500 visitors to the ARRL EXPO exhibits area. Pick up your ARRL Passport, and join the fun!

ARRL Passport Winners Announced (Aug 19, 2007): Out of nearly 500 entries, Richard Pavalonis, KE5ORR, of Santa Fe, Texas, won an Icom IC-7000 HF/VHF/UHF all-mode mobile transceiver, and Tim Shipman of Owensboro, Kentucky, son of Walter, KI4OHY, will have fun with the Yaesu FT-8577D HF/VHF/UHF all-mode mobile transceiver. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who participated.

The ARRL Stage (ARRL EXPO area)
See live presentations every half hour at the ARRL Stage. A list of presentations is posted near the stage. Hear from ARRL volunteers and staff on a variety of topics!

ARRL Internet Café and WiFi
ARRL EXPO is equipped with wireless Internet. Any laptop or device equipped for wireless will enjoy Internet access within the ARRL EXPO vicinity. ARRL EXPO will also include a small Internet café with computers set up to browse. Access your e-mail and the Internet. Surf away—compliments of ARRL!

ARRL Wouff Hong Ceremony
Saturday August 18, Embassy Suites
Participate in this lively ARRL tradition. The ceremony is a ritual steeped in mystery! Attendees receive a special keepsake. A fun ARRL activity for all ages. Saturday, 10:30 PM in Big Spring C of the Embassy Suites.

ARRL Publications
Featuring:
QST – Official Journal of ARRL
NCJ – National Contest Journal
QEX – A Forum for Communications Experimenters

Pick-up a FREE copy of QST, NCJ and QEX magazines – while supplies last.

DXCC Card Checking and ARRL Awards
Saturday and Sunday
Personnel from the ARRL DXCC Branch will be on hand to check your DX cards and applications for all ARRL awards. 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 www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc for the latest program information and current forms.

ARRL Youth Activities and Youth Lounge – Drop by the ARRL Youth Lounge to meet and socialize with other young hams. Whether you’re one or eighteen, the Youth Lounge, located in the ARRL EXPO area, is sure to offer something that you’ll enjoy. Come to chat with other hams, grab a snack, or participate in one of the many activities: fox-hunts, scavenger hunts, ham radio jeopardy, “so you think you’re smarter than a technician”, crafts, prizes, and more. Come meet this year’s “Alabama Outstanding Youth Ham”. Even if you’re not licensed, you’re welcome to come by and join the fun!
Special thanks to ARRL volunteer Rebekah "Dorff" Williams, WG4Y, for organizing the ARRL Youth Activities. Rebekah is the ARRL Alabama Assistant Section Manager for Youth Activities

2007 ARRL National Convention Youth Dinner, Saturday, August 18: Attention all youth! Join us for the ARRL National Convention Youth Dinner. Parents are welcome to come, as well, but they’ll be seated at separate tables, so that youth can be youth and parents can be parents. If you know you’ll be coming, let us know in the ARRL Youth Lounge, so that we’ll have a preliminary head-count. Come by the ARRL Youth Activities booth to see which restaurant it's at, and to sign-up.

ARRL Development – You can support Amateur Radio…now and into the future: Spectrum Defense, Education & Technology, W1AW Endowment, The Legacy Circle, The Diamond Club and The Diamond Terrace at ARRL.

ARRL Media and Public Relations – featuring ARRL’s newest PR campaign: Emergency Radio…Getting the message through for your family and community. Learn how to use this campaign to help promote your local ham radio activity. Free PR materials provided.

ARRL Southeastern Division – Meet your local ARRL leadership! The ARRL Southeastern Division includes Alabama, Georgia, Northern Florida, Southern Florida, West Central Florida, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Meet ARRL Director Frank M. Butler, W4RH, Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU, and other volunteers.

ARRL Section Managers and Section Leaders – Visit this gathering area for ARRL Field Organization networking.

Ham Aid – This display includes an exhibit of ARRL Ham Aid "Go Kits." The kits include ham gear ready-to-go in the event of a disaster or other incident requiring emergency communications.

ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator – Licensing forms, testing information and more.

ARRL Regulatory Information Branch – Help with rules and regulations (FCC Part 97), including issues with antenna ordinances and other restrictions (PRB-1 and CC&R).

The ARRL Lab – Your questions answered by ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI: technical questions, RFI/EMI information, BPL, and more.

ARRL Forums and Presentations

ARRL Membership Forum
Saturday 10:00 AM, Room 1
Moderator: Joel Harrison, W5ZN – ARRL President
Come and learn more about the issues shaping Amateur Radio today. Meet ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, and other ARRL officials and staff. All are welcome!

ARRL Education Forum
Saturday 1:00 PM, Room 5
Moderator: Debra Johnson, K1DMJ – ARRL Education Services Manager
Part 1: An overview of ARRL’s new Education Services Department. Topics will include the new ARRL mission statement on education, new licensing materials, enrichment courses, and an update on ARRL outreach activities through the Education & Technology Program and Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). Part 2: A discussion about ARRL educational and instructional resources and ideas. What do you need? ...more educational kits? …a better website resource center? …an on-line collaboration site for instructors? …more on-line courses? Instructors, teachers, on-line course mentors and others are all encouraged to participate!

ARRL Headquarters Tour – Opportunities for Every Ham!
Sunday 11:00 AM, Room 1
Moderator: Katie Breen, W1KRB – ARRL Membership Manager
Amateur Radio entered a new era this year, and licensing changes have rekindled enthusiasm among many newcomers and inactive hams. ARRL Membership Manager Katie Breen, W1KRB, will lead you through a tour of ARRL’s national headquarters. Along the way, Katie will share stories of ARRL special event activities aimed at encouraging on-air activity among new and newly-active hams, including real-time web blogs and videos, Hello-Live!, and the W1AW HF Open House.

ARES® and the Media – How to get attention for our best stories
Sunday 11:00 AM, Room 2
Moderator: Allen Pitts, W1AGP – ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager
Emergencies often gain the attention of newspapers and television media. And yet, the good works of volunteers in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service are often overlooked. Our best stories are never heard by the public. This ARRL forum will discuss ways to help your public service activities capture the attention of the media.

DXCC and ARRL’s Logbook of the World
Sunday, 10:00 AM, Room 1
Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager, and
Jon Bloom, KE3Z, ARRL Web/Software Development Manager
Do you enjoy the lure of DX (long-distance radio operating)? The pinnacle of DXing success is the ARRL DX Century Club, or DXCC award. Find out everything you’ve wanted to know about the DXCC program and ARRL’s big web-based Logbook of the World (LoTW).

ARRL Stage

10:00 AM Broadband Over Power Line Update, Ed Hare, W1RFI, ARRL Lab Manager.
A short presentation on BPL followed by answers to YOUR questions.

10:30 AM Hosting a Youth Lounge at Your Event, Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, ARRL Youth Contributing Editor and Georgia Assistant Section Manager/Youth.
Simple and fun things to do for young hams and potential hams at your event.

11:00 AM Operating Awards and the ARRL QSL Bureau, Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager.
Introducing the updated ARRL awards program and how to use the QSL Bureau.

11:30 AM Dr. Beldar’s Contest Emporium, Ward Silver, NØAX, QST Contributing Editor and ARRL Author
Learn some great tips, facts and fun about contesting.

12:00 PM How to Get Your Article Printed in QST, Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, ARRL Senior NewsEditor.
All the hints and tips you need when submitting an article to be published in QST.

12:30 PM Everyone Can Be a Public Information Officer, Sherri Brower, W4STB, Southern Florida ARRL Section Manager and ARRL Public Relations Committee Chair.
Recruiting, training and retaining an effective Public Information Officer (PIO) field force isn’t hard and can be fun.

1:00 PM Legally, Safely and Appropriately – The Amateur’s Responsibility On The Air, Dan Henderson, N1ND, ARRL Regulatory Specialist.
A review of the Amateur’s Code and Following the FCC Part 97 Rules.

1:30 PM Ever Expanding Benefits of ARRL Membership, Katie Breen, W1KRB, ARRL Membership Manager
Hear about new benefits for ARRL members.

2:00PM ARRL Section Manager Forum, Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, ARRL Alabama Section Manager.
A gathering of all SMs attending the ARRL National Convention.

3:00 PM ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Rob Suggs, KB5EZ, NASA Space Environments Team Lead, Marshall Space Flight Center.
Astronauts and Cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station have been making Amateur Radio contacts with hams and schools around the world for nearly 7 years. The ARISS program will be described including how to listen, make contacts, and get a school involved in the program

10:00 AM The Diamond Terrace at ARRL, Mary Hobart, K1MMH, ARRL Chief Development Officer.
Learn about the progression and building of the new Diamond Terrace at ARRL Headquarters.

10:30 AM Meet & Greet ARRL’s New Emergency Preparedness & Response Manager, Dennis Dura, K2DCD.

11:00 AM Educational Opportunities with ARRL for Mentors and Instructors, Debra Johnson, K1DMJ.
If you are an existing mentor or instructor, or would like to become one – this is the session for you!

11:30 AM Getting the Word Out About Your Club and its Activities, Sherri Brower, W4STB, ARRL Public Relations Committee Chair and Southern Florida Section Manager.
Get some tips and techniques to bring members to your clubs and for promoting your activities.

ARRL EXPO is organized by ARRL--The national association for Amateur Radio.

Questions? Contact expo@arrl.org

The 2007 ARRL National Convention at the Huntsville Hamfest

August 18-19, 2007 -- Huntsville, Alabama

Important Links

Activities

Hotels

ARRL EXPO

ARRL Forums and Presentations

ARRL Stage