See the announcement below from W1SJ. --Cathy, N5WVR
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We are FIVE DAYS away from HAM-CON 2017. Be sure to make plans to attend
HAM-CON on Saturday, February 25, 8AM until 1PM at the Holiday Inn Convention
Center, 1068 Williston Road, just off of I-89 Exit 14 East.
Now in its 35th year, HAM-CON is billed as the "Best Little Hamfest in the
World". We will pack more forums, more activities, more hams and more stuff
into 5 hours than anywhere else. Details on ticket purchase can be found at
http://www.ranv.org/hamcom.html
Our theme this year is "Radio-Active". Sadly, Hams have been spending less and
less time on the air being, well, Hams! We want to encourage hams to be more
active.
Starting off at 8:30, John Grow VE2EQL will talk about the "Magnificent 3" wire
antenna system which produces a great signal on all HF bands.
Did you work any National Parks in 2016? We will have the perpetrator of that
activity, ARRL Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko KX9X, speak about the
success of the NPOTA program last year and how to take what we learned to
produce more portable operating events. Directly following this, Mitch Stern
W1SJ will teach you "How to Set Up a Ham Station Anywhere". We'll learn, first
hand. how he build portable stations with big signals from all types parks and
other locales.
Continuing with our antennas theme, our special guest speaker is Tim Duffy K3LR
who will speak about "Simple and Effective Antennas".Tim runs DX Engineering,
has hosted the Antenna Forum at Dayton since forever and has a super station
with massive antennas. He knows his stuff! Tim will join electronically us from
his shack in Western PA and perhaps give us a glimpse of the antennas farm.
Fred Hopengarten K1VR will present "Ham Radio and the Law", where he will talk
about the sticky business of getting legal permission to raise an antenna -
sometimes in a hostile neighborhood. This will be followed by the ARRL Forum
where our ARRL Director and Vice Director will give us insight as to what is
happening with our League.
We didn't want to leave the VHF/UHF enthusiasts out! Mike Seguin N1JEZ will off
up tips and techniques for setting up a competitive station and antennas on
those higher bands. And for something completely different, Harrison Kyle
VE2HKW will talk about the uses and setup of the Automatic Position Reporting
System, or APRS.
Our activities room will be abuzz with all sorts of activities. Our special
event station W1V will be operating all morning, handing out those rare Vermont
contacts to the world. Mike N1FBZ will be running the Tech Table where you can
get your radio checked out. Sean, KX9X will be making contacts through two
satellite passes in the morning. Jeff N1YD will be doing demonstrations with RF
control. We'll also have digital voice demonstrations using DMR.
And yes, we have a Flea Market too! You just need to find time in between all
the other activities to buy some stuff. And be sure to join us at Closing
Ceremonies where you could win door prizes, including a 40" High Definition
Smart TV.
Need to upgrade or have someone get their first ham license? No problem! The VE
Session is at 1:15 and it's free! You still need to study. We also have FCC
Commercial exams as well.
All of this for only $8 admission. And if you act right away you can buy your
ticket on-line for $6. Early admission and table reservations are more. But
hurry, we close early ticket purchase Friday!
Information and ticket sales for HAM-CON can be found at:
http://www.ranv.org/hamcon.html
See you next week at HAM-CON!