ARRLWeb: An Unconventional Convention: Dayton Hamvention and ARRL 2005 National Convention a Winning Combo

Mary and Chuck Skolaut, N0TIK and K0BOG, welcomed new hams at ARRL EXPO 2005. Chuck is an ARRL staff member; his wife was a convention volunteer.

NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 2, 2005--By all accounts, Dayton Hamvention and the ARRL National Convention/ARRL EXPO 2005 represented the best of times for all involved--perhaps especially for the Amateur Radio community. The League's 2005 convention was like no other that came before. For the first time, the ARRL virtually took Headquarters on the road, making available in the ARRL EXPO 2005 area all of the League's core activities, plus live demonstrations and mini-forums on a variety of topics. To those who've never made the trek to Newington, ARRL EXPO 2005 was a chance to see the League in action firsthand, showcasing public service, advocacy, education and membership. Perhaps ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, N3KN, said it best when she called it "an unconventional convention."

"This was the most exciting ARRL National Convention I've attended in my 22 years as a League member," said Craigie, adding that ARRL EXPO showed members what the League has to offer in a fresh, dramatic, participatory way.

"Members commented to me that they had read about all these activities in QST and on the Web, but nothing had ever made them so real and immediate before," she said. Craigie was not alone in her hope that the 2005 ARRL National Convention represented the beginning of a trend.

ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, greets those attending a reception to honor ARRL's special donors, held May 19 at Wright State University.

ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, put it another way in his "It Seems to Us . . ." editorial set to appear in the July 2005 QST: "A common comment was along the lines of, 'Now I understand the scope of what the ARRL is doing for me and other amateurs,'" he wrote.

All in one place--in the ARRL EXPO 2005 area in Hara Arena's Ballarena--visitors could come face-to-face with HQ staffers and volunteers representing the ARRL Education and Technology Program, youth activities, clubs and mentoring, DXCC, development, spectrum defense, the ARRL Technology Task Force, the ARRL VEC and much more. And they did! Of course, they also could sign up to become League members, renew or extend current memberships and--as a few did--become ARRL life members. This year, more than 900 visitors--a record number--joined ARRL during Dayton Hamvention.

ARRL staffers Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, and Mike Tracy, KC1SX, get the ARRL retail counter set up for opening day.

The ARRL Internet Café always had a line.

Retail Bonanza

The League's "retail center"--a large, square counter space that greeted visitors as they entered ARRL EXPO 2005--remained busy throughout the weekend. ARRL Customer Service/Circulation Manager Kathy Capodicasa, N1GZO, said it was fortunate she and her staff thought to pack additional inventory for the convention.

"That area was busier than I ever remember over my last 17 Hamventions!" she said. "The crowds on Friday and parts of Saturday were perhaps the largest I have ever seen." The retail center itself was double the size of what the League typically sets up at Dayton Hamvention. "We pulled into the sales booth every available ARRL official, staffer and volunteer for staffing assistance," Capodicasa noted. At its usual Hamvention booth area in North Hall, the ARRL maintained a sales counter and "Relaxation Station"--an area of tables and chairs where Hamventioneers could socialize or just take a break.

Back at ARRL EXPO 2005, visitors also could get on line at the Internet Café, either using the two PCs provided or with their own PCs via a wireless "hot spot."

"Welcome to the 2005 ARRL National Convention!" Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, on the ARRL Stage.

ARRL Youth Contributing Editor Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, puts a set of Morse code beads on the wrist of Carol Hall, junior op of Nancy Rabel Hall, KC4IYD.

Bite-Sized Forums on the ARRL Stage

Every so often throughout the weekend ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R--the sparkplug for the ARRL National Convention and ARRL EXPO 2005 planning--grabbed the microphone, mounted the ARRL Stage to declare, "Welcome to the 2005 ARRL National Convention!" before announcing the next mini-forum or special event. Visitors wound through the displays, spoke with ARRL staff members and picked up an ARRL EXPO 2005 Passport--the ultimate convention scavenger hunt--which gave the bearer a chance to win some nice prizes after logging at least 15 ARRL Passport codes at various dealers and forums and tearing off the entry form.

The mini-forums--illustrated talks that ran about 20 minutes each--covered virtually every interest area within the broad spectrum of Amateur Radio. They included emergency communications, what goes on behind the scenes to develop a QST product review, 6-meter DXing, an introduction to HF radio for newcomers and "Your Manual to Building a Radioactive Youth," by 16-year-old ARRL Youth Contributing Editor Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM. Hot-button issues like BPL and RFI also were popular. All sessions provided an opportunity for listeners to ask questions and offer comments.

Cover of the QST

One big hit--and something entirely new and different for ARRL--was being able to get your picture on the cover of QST for a modest fee. ARRL staffer Dan Wolfgang and volunteer Lieska Motschenbacher--wife of Dennis, K7BV--paired up to run that concession, shooting upward of 200 faces to place on one of several QST front-cover formats--from vintage to modern.

"Everybody told us what a wonderful idea this QST cover photo booth was, that they hoped we would do it again, and how nice the result was," Wolfgang recounted afterward in his Web log. "It was definitely a big hit. I didn't realize just how big, though, until I decided to go outside and walk around in the flea market area during my lunch break: every 25 feet or so I'd hear somebody yell 'Dan!' I'd look around and see somebody waving and yelling, 'You took my photo!' or 'This is awesome!'"

Whither the Weather?

The weather--always a factor on the minds of Dayton Hamvention planners and attendees--cooperated by and large. Fog and drizzle early on opening day soon gave way to merely overcast skies with occasional sunshine throughout the remainder of the weekend. Temperatures overall were moderate, making things comfortable and congenial outside and inside Hara Arena.

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, seems to be enjoying himself as much as the kids checking out the robotic vehicle at "The Big Project" booth at ARRL EXPO 2005.

Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, and Tony England, W0ORE

IARU Region 1 President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR (left), chats with retired astronaut Tony England, W0ORE. England, the second person to use ham radio from space, was the keynote speaker at the ARRL donors reception.

Electronic Magic

Another popular stop at ARRL EXPO 2005 was the Education and Technology Program ("The Big Project") area, where Program Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME, wowed youngsters and oldsters alike with the sorts of electronic magic that he encourages teachers participating in the program to use in their classrooms. He also had remote-controlled robot vehicles that responded to user-programmable commands. Even ARRL President Jim Haynie got down on the floor with some visiting youngsters to enjoy the fun. On Friday, May 20, former astronaut Tony England, W0ORE, was on hand to greet visitors. England was the keynote speaker for a donors reception the previous evening.

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, urges his forum audience to "ratchet up your presence" in the political arena.

Frank Fallon, N2FF, Jim Weaver, K8JE, and Gary Johnston, KI4LA

(L-R) ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, Great Lakes Director Jim Weaver, K8JE, and Gary Johnston, KI4LA, guide a visitor through the process of sending an e-mail message to his congressional representative.

Getting out the Message

Haynie and other ARRL officials saved the more serious fare for the Hamvention forums. ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, told the League's "Grassroots Lobbying" forum that when it comes to dealing with issues of interest to radio amateurs in Congress, individual hams can help shape their own future.

In the "ARRL Goes to Washington for You" forum, Haynie debuted the ARRL's new video, "ARRL Goes to Washington," narrated by network news legend Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD. Haynie pointed out that he and other members of ARRL officialdom spend several weeks a year promoting visibility for Amateur Radio and the ARRL's views on pending legislation or FCC proceedings.

"We've got to ratchet up our presence," Haynie said, urging more participation in the political process by individual amateurs.

Back at ARRL EXPO 2005, the Grassroots Lobbying team helped visitors to contact their members of Congress to express their views on legislation that could affect Amateur Radio.

Allen Pitts, W1AGP, Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, and Sherri Brower, W4STB

Replete with tambourine and loud jacket, ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP (right), plays the role of the "snake oil" BPL pitchman opposite Gary Pearce, KN4AQ (left), and ARRL South Florida Section Manager Sherri Brower, W4STB, during the ARRL Public Relations Forum.

A Sense of Community

The "star" of the ARRL Public Relations Forum, ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, said he sensed a greater awareness of community at Dayton Hamvention and ARRL EXPO 2005. "There was a lot more use of plurals--us and we--than I remember before," he said. "There was a different feeling in the air. Something is changing! Maybe we're still seen as geeks but we're nice geeks, friendly geeks and people you want to get to know. Even the local newspapers picked up on that. The Amateur Radio community took on a revitalized reality."

Speaking of community, the National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers (NARTE) and US Power Squadrons (USPS) shared ARRL EXPO 2005 space. The League has signed memoranda of understanding with both organizations.

How Many?

Every year, Dayton Hamvention visitors speculate on the size of the crowd, typically in the vicinity of 25,000. Hamvention General Chair Gary Des Combes, N8EMO, said this week that he didn't expect to have an official attendance figure for a few more days. Informal guesstimates tended to vary, depending upon whom one asked.

"It seemed a bit less crowded than last year, although the better weather may have just moved more people outside," allowed ARRL Product Review Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR. He'd heard that some vendors were reporting somewhat less traffic than in past years--but more buyers. Other vendors reported good traffic flow, however.

Hallas said the response to the larger ARRL presence was "overwhelmingly positive" and generally appreciated. "I believe some aspects of our larger and more informative display would be productive to continue going forward," he added.

New Gear

Manufacturers typically take advantage of Dayton Hamvention to debut their new gear. The 2005 event was no exception. Some highlights:

Changing of the Guard

During a stop at ARRL EXPO 2005, Des Combes said he was pleased with how the Hamvention was going and equally glad to be turning over the reins for Dayton Hamvention 2006 to Assistant Chair Jim Nies, WX8F.

Dayton Hamvention honored this year's award recipients during an invitation-only dinner May 21. The 2005 Dayton Hamvention award winners were Alan Kaul, W6RCL, Radio Amateur of the Year; Bharathi Prasad, VU2RBI, Special Achievement Award, and Jerry Sevick, W2FMI, Technical Excellence Award. A formal award presentation was held May 22 during the Hamvention 2005 closing ceremonies just prior to the grand prize drawing.

And Thank You!

Sumner expressed the League's gratitude to the Dayton Amateur Radio Association and Hamvention Committee for hosting the 2005 ARRL National Convention. "This event has exceeded our expectations in so many ways, due in large part to the volunteers that make Hamvention the 'Greatest Amateur Radio Show on Earth,'" he said. "We thank each and every one of you."

World-renowned DXer Masa Ebisawa, JA1DM (left), and ARRL Staffer Dave Patton, NN1N, check cards for JARL and ARRL operating awards respectively.	Those attending the donors reception got a sneak preview of the new--but not yet available--ARRL video, "ARRL Goes to Washington," narrated by retired CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD.
Brad Gilmer, WB5EGI, operates W1AW/8 from the flea market area outside Hara Arena.	ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, makes a point during his ARRL stage mini-forum on working meteor scatter.
ARRL Product Review Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, explains the review process on the ARRL Stage.	ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ (left), presents the International Humanitarian Award plaque to Glenn Johnson, W0GJ.
Dressed in the vintage telegrapher's costume that he wore for a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, Yaesu's Chip Margelli, K7JA, poses before his company's latest offerings.	A group of flea marketeers from Appalachia take a break in the Hamvention flea market.