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 Previous: UK Regulator's Study Points Up Limitations of Amperion-Equipped BPL Trial |  Next: The K7RA Solar Update |
NEWINGTON, CT, May 13, 2005--Rocks, diamonds and the Swiss Army knife are among topics visitors to ARRL EXPO 2005 can learn more about--at least in a manner of speaking. As part of the ARRL 2005 National Convention at Dayton Hamvention Friday through Sunday, May 20-22, an array of speakers will offer bite-sized live presentations on the "ARRL Stage." ARRL EXPO 2005 will be in the Ballarena Exhibit Hall in the Hara Arena complex near Dayton, Ohio. Counting down the days, ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, says ARRL EXPO 2005 and the other National Convention activities will make this year's Hamvention--dubbed Amateur Radio's "Greatest Show on Earth''--the best ever.
"You wouldn't think it possible to squeeze more fun and
activities into Dayton Hamvention, but we're going to do it," Inderbitzen said
this week. "It's like having two great shows in one!"
The theme of Dayton Hamvention 2005 is "Bringing hams together from around the world." Upward of 25,000 visitors from the US and elsewhere on the globe make the annual pilgrimage to Hamvention, where socializing is a big part of the enjoyment.
For the 2005 ARRL Convention, the League is pulling out all the stops and virtually moving Headquarters to Dayton. Representatives of every department and activity will be on hand and available to visitors throughout the event. Plans are in the works to have W1AW/8 available for guest operators.
The ARRL Stage will spotlight 15-minute presentations
every half hour throughout the convention. Rocks? ARRL Sales and Marketing
Manger Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, will explain "The Most Fun You Can Have
with a Rock"--an introduction to meteor-scatter operation. Diamonds? ARRL Chief
Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, will tell her listeners about the
advantages of joining the ARRL
Diamond Club. And ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts,
W1AGP, will describe "The Secret Life of the Swiss Army Knife," which, he says,
is everything the well-informed public information officer needs to know. Stay
tuned.
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 ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, has been the spark plug behind the League's 2005 National Convention planning. |
There's virtually a topic for every interest you could imagine within the broad spectrum of Amateur Radio pursuits including 6-meter DXing, emergency communications, an introduction to HF radio for newcomers and "Your Manual to Building a Radioactive Youth," by 16-year-old ARRL Contributing Editor Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM. Of course visitors can expect presentations on other hot-button topics like BPL and RFI as well as ham radio in the classroom, how to pick a radio that fits your operating style and how ARRL evaluates new equipment for QST "Product Review." All sessions will provide an opportunity for listeners to ask questions and offer comments. Representatives of the US Power Squadrons will be on hand too.
The National Association of Radio and Telecommunications
Engineers (NARTE) will provide FCC General
Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)
examinations to interested applicants. (See "Pass the GROL at this year's Hamvention.")
 Dayton Hamvention typically attracts upward of 25,000 visitors from around the world. |
Are You Ready to Have Fun?
Here's a first for an ARRL National Convention: ARRL EXPO
2005 will provide an Internet Café and WiFi "hot spot" too! The area will be
equipped with an 802.11b/g-compliant wireless LAN, and any laptop or handheld
with wireless capability will be able to enjoy Internet access within the
vicinity of ARRL EXPO 2005. For those who left their PCs home, the EXPO's
Internet Café will offer computers already set up for users to check their
e-mail or just surf the Web--all compliments of ARRL, in partnership with the Dayton Microcomputer Association.
 ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, answers questions during the ARRL forum at Dayton Hamvention 2004. |
The first 5000 visitors to ARRL EXPO 2005 can pick up an ARRL Passport--your ticket to the ultimate convention scavenger hunt. Collect Passport codes to qualify for terrific prizes donated by Icom, Kenwood, AOR USA and Alinco. No purchase is necessary, and each Passport includes all the rules and an entry form.
Never made the cover of the Rolling Stone (or even the local newspaper for that matter)? Visitors dropping by ARRL EXPO 2005 can have their photos taken then digitally superimposed on a cover of QST. For a modest fee, you'll walk away with a souvenir to wow your friends or at least hang on the wall of your shack.
And free for the asking is the ARRL National Convention
souvenir pin. A lot of Hamvention visitors collect these each year, and
supplies are limited.
 DXCC card checking will be available at ARRL EXPO 2005 in the Ballarena. A representative of the Japan Amateur Radio League also will check cards for JARL awards. |
At its usual Dayton Hamvention location in Hara Arena's North Hall, the League will offer "ARRL Relaxation Station." ARRL is making available tables and chairs for attendees to simply relax and visit. In addition, the North Hall concession area will concentrate on retail product sales as well as ARRL membership signups and renewals.
A slate of full-blown ARRL-sponsored forums and activities will also highlight the League's 2005 National Convention. Inderbitzen says Dayton Hamvention has rolled out the red carpet for the League, making it possible for the ARRL to offer a top-notch slate of activities, displays, exhibits and presentations.
ARRL National Convention Forums
You'll also find ARRL staff members and volunteers at many
other Hamvention forums. Sessions organized by individuals working directly
with Dayton Hamvention include: Teacher's Workshop with Carole Perry, WB2MGP,
and Youth in Amateur Radio Program; DXing and Contesting forums and more! A
complete slate of convention forums is available on the Dayton Hamvention Web site.
 There are always bargains to be had in the Dayton Hamvention flea market. |
Wouff Wouff!
ARRL Ohio Section Manger Joe Phillips, K8QOE, and the Crawford County Amateur Radio Club Players are organizing an ARRL Wouff Hong ceremony Saturday, May 21, at 10:30 PM, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton. Steeped in ritual and mystery, this ceremony also promises to be great fun, and attendees receive a special keepsake.
ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, says he's looking forward to the 2005 National Convention. "I've been going to our national conventions for 36 years now, and this is going to be the best of the bunch," he predicted.
Check the ARRL
National Convention at Dayton Hamvention Web page for information updates. The
ARRL National Convention Guide is available on the ARRL Web site.
| Previous: UK Regulator's Study Points Up Limitations of Amperion-Equipped BPL Trial | Next: The K7RA Solar Update |
