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 Previous: FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Letters for the Period Ending May 1, 2006 | ![Next (later) Story](/images/sty-up.gif "California High School to Offer "Radio Amateurs and Disaster Operations" Class"){kind=small} Next: California High School to Offer "Radio Amateurs and Disaster Operations" Class |
By Edward Collins, N8NUY
May 2, 2006
Dayton Hamvention is the world's largest gathering of Amateur Radio operators. This year Hamvention will be held from May 19 through May 21. For many hams headed to Dayton, the official Hamvention schedule of activities is not the main calling card. Several organizations hold events and dinners that serve as their annual meetings. The Hamvention committee refers to these events as "alternate activities." While not officially part of Hamvention these events are the "sideshows of the big show." For many visitors, Hamvention would be just another hamfest without these quality events.
It doesn't matter what your area of interest is in Amateur Radio. Satellites, bicycle mobile stations, QRP, DX, contests, VHF/UHF, SSTV, emergency communication and other groups of ham radio operators gather in Dayton in conjunction with the "main event." Why not consider joining the fun by planning to attend at least one of the many alternative activities? Some events such as the QRP "Four Days in May" (FDIM) begin on Thursday morning. Others occurring later on Thursday include the Super Suite for DXers and the AMSAT Pizza n' Suds party.
Refer to the sponsoring organization's site for the latest information or any schedule updates. It's worth noting that many organizations have cut-off dates to purchase tickets to their events; these generally fall in early May. A few events allow registration or dinner reservations at their booth at Hamvention, however. If you are not familiar with the Dayton area, I'd suggest buying a map or using one of the popular Internet map services.
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)
AMSAT-NA has two evening events scheduled this year. The Sixth Annual AMSAT "Pizza n' Suds" party will be held Thursday, May 18, 6:30 PM, at Marion's Piazza, 1320 N Fairfield Road, Beavercreek on the east side of Dayton. The party continues until the last pizza is gone. Food can be ordered from the menu and drinks (beer, wine, sodas and iced tea) are available at the bar. Space is limited to 200 people. Here's a chance to meet some of the luminaries of the Amateur Radio satellite community in an informal setting.
The 11th annual AMSAT Hamvention Banquet will be held Friday, May 19, at 6 PM. The buffet banquet will be held at the Amber Rose Restaurant, 1400 Valley Street in old north Dayton. Festivities get under way at 6:30 PM, and dinner is at 7:30 PM. Price for the dinner is $27.50 per person. Vegetarian meals are available on advance notice and reservations are required. The featured speaker this year will be satellite veteran Lou McFadin, W5DID, who will give a presentation on Suitsat-1 and the possibility of future SuitSats. Maps to the restaurant, and possibly a few reservations, will be available at the AMSAT booth on Friday, May 19 until 2 PM.
For both AMSAT events, contact Nancy Makley for reservations. More information
for both events is on the AMSAT Web site.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross National Headquarters is sponsoring
a dinner gathering for volunteers, especially those communication volunteers
who participated in the 2005 hurricane season. The ARC is sponsoring a volunteer
appreciation dinner gathering May 19, from 5 until 8 PM, at Ryan's Family Restaurant Friday, 1760 E Stroup Road in Kettering, just south of Dayton (pay as you enter the restaurant). All volunteers are welcome -- Red Cross, ARES,
RACES, Salvation Army (SATERN), MARS, REACT, CAP etc. Share your experiences
and ideas with your counterparts over dinner. Seating will be in the party room
at the front of the restaurant. Make reservations through Dan Miller, K3UFG. Everyone who attends
this first-ever event will receive a special-edition volunteer appreciation QSL
card.
QRP Amateur Radio Club International
For the eleventh year, the QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP ARCI) will sponsor its annual FDIM event beginning Thursday, May 18, starting at 8 AM at the Holiday Inn, Colonel Glenn Highway, in Fairborn (across from Wright State University). The entry fee of $20 is to cover costs. More than 300 are expected for the seminars this year, so make reservations early at the QRP ARCT Web site or contact Jim Stafford, W4QO.
The QRP ARCI also will host a vendor's night and the QRP Show-and-Tell at the Holiday Inn Friday, May 19, at 8 PM, and everyone is welcome to this free event. Come see all those QRP projects that everyone is talking about and meet the vendors.
The QRP ARCI awards banquet will be Saturday, May 20, 7 PM at the Holiday Inn. Dinner is $30; visitors are welcome. Come join us for fun and lots of prizes and socialize afterwards. For reservations and more information on QRP ARCI events held in conjunction with Dayton Hamvention, visit the QRP ARCI Web site. Click on the FDIM link.
Events for DXers and Contesters
Events aimed at DXers and contesters will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Fifth and Jefferson streets (next to the Convention Center) in downtown Dayton. Here is a listing of planned activities:
The Dayton Contest Super Suite, hosted for the 19th year by the North Coast Contesters, the Frankford Radio Club and the Mad River Radio Club, will be held Thursday through Saturday, May 18-20. The party runs from 7 PM until 2 AM. The Super Suite is in the Miami Room (second floor) of the Crowne Plaza. The DX clubs will provide the pizza, and there will be a cash bar and plenty of chairs and tables set up for the events. For further information contact Tim Duffy, K3LR, or visit his Web site.
The South West Ohio DX Association (SWODXA) holds its DX Banquet Friday evening, May 19 at the Crowne Plaza. Advance reservations are required. Banquet tickets are $34 to Jay Slough, K4ZLE, 8183Woodward Dr, Westchester, OH 45069. Make checks payable to SWODXA.
The North Coast Contesters will hold the 14th annual Dayton Contest Dinner, Saturday, May 20, 6:30 PM; cash bar at 5:30 PM in the Van Cleve Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. DX Engineering is sponsoring the tickets, $34 a head, which may still be available.
The master of ceremonies for the contest dinner is CQ magazine's John Dorr, K1AR, and CQ World Wide Contest Director and CQ Contest Hall of Fame member, Bob Cox, K3EST, will formally announce the 2006 CQ Contest Hall of Fame inductees. Seating is limited to 300, is random and not reserved; tables are set in rounds of eight per table. For tickets, contact Craig Clark, K1QX, Radioware and Radio Bookstore, PO Box 209, Ridge, NH 03461. Call Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM (EDT) at 800-457-7373 (for international calls, use 603-899-6957); fax 603-899-6826. Major credit cards are accepted. No COD orders. E-mails must include credit card number, call sign and return address. Contest dinner tickets will be sent via first class mail no later than May 10. Deadline for ticket orders is May 7 -- no exceptions. Tickets will not be available at the door.
Topband Banquet
All 160-meter enthusiasts are cordially invited to the Topband Banquet Friday, May 19, at the Barnsider Restaurant, 5202 N Main Street on the north end of Dayton. Festivities get under way at 6:15 PM. This annual event brings together 160 meter operators from around the world for food, drink and camaraderie. Advance reservations and payment were required by May 1, but tickets may still be available. No tickets will be available at the door.
Cost is $29 per person in advance. Reservations and payment should be made to George Taft, W8UVZ, 271 Parkshore Dr, Battle Creek, MI 49014.
TAPR Digital Bash
The Digital BASH sponsored by TAPR will be held Friday, 7 PM, at the Dayton Airport Hotel (directions). Stop by the TAPR booth at Dayton for a schedule and map. The cost is $30 per person. Tickets ordered in advance will be available for pickup at the TAPR booth.
Amateurs who wish only to hear the speaker and discussion should
plan to arrive around 8:15 PM. A door prize drawing and the "birds of a
feather" get-together will follow the speaker's presentation.
QCWA Banquet
The Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) will hold its annual Dayton Hamvention banquet Friday, May 19, at Alex's Continental Restaurant, 125 Monarch Lane near Miamisburg. There will be a presentation by Ralph Dull on alternative energy wind power and more. Advance reservations, at $18 per person, are required. Reservation requests with payment go to Jerry Ragland, WA8BOB, 409 Park Ave, Franklin, OH 45005-3550.
VHF Weak Signal Group
The VHF Weak Signal Group invites all VHF, UHF and microwave enthusiasts to the 13th Annual VHF Weak Signal Group banquet, Friday, May 19, at the Holiday Inn Dayton North, 2301 Wagner Ford Road. A social hour begins at 6:15 PM, and dinner follows at 7:15 PM, with a prize drawing at 9 PM.
Reservations are required. Cost per person is $35. Seating
is limited to 125. Spouses are welcome. Ticket requests with an SASE go to Tony Emanuele, WA8RJF, 7156 Kory Ct, Concord, OH 44077-2221. Include the names and call signs of all attendees, as well as an
e-mail address.
International Visual Communication Association
The International Visual Communication Association (IVCA) will meet Friday, May 19, 7 PM, at the Best Western Executive Hotel, 2401 Needmore Road, Dayton. Speakers include Dave Jones, KB4YZ, and Don C. Miller, W9NTP. Topics will cover new software, comparison of SSTV systems, better and innovative uses of SSTV, SSTV Web pages and more. There will be an election of IVCA officers at the meeting.
Say "Thanks!"
While you're at Dayton Hamvention, remember to thank the volunteers who make the main event possible by donating their time and effort. Look for the official badges and Hamvention 2006 caps. Be sure to visit the Hamvention Web site for a listing of all Hamvention forums and events held at Hara Arena.
An ARRL member, Edward
Collins, N8NUY, belongs to the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA), which sponsors Hamvention. He is also
the AMSAT Dayton Hamvention Coordinator.
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