Flea markets & Conventions

Flea markets & Conventions

NEAR-Fest XXXI, April 29-30, 2022, Deerfield, NH

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NEAR-Fest logoATTENTION: two weeks to go! 
 
* New England’s premier radio hobby event
* Both days
* Huge flea market, forums
* ARRL officials in attendance
 
Friday:  AMers W1IA Celebration and “HamJam”
Saturday:  VE Exams 10:00 AM
 
* Big door prizes both days (Two Yaesu FT-891s, two SDRplay radios, one each day)
 
Fun for all!  NEAR-Fest XXXI is Friday, April 29th and Saturday, April 30th 2022, at the Deerfield NH Fairgrounds, Highway 43, Deerfield NH. 
 
This is your last chance to get advance tickets and save $5.   Advance admission tickets $10  ($15 at the gate), Inside parking (flea market) $10.  Mail by Wednesday, April 20th in order to get them in time.  PLEASE ENCLOSE SASE!   Mail to W1RC, 316 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead MA 01945. More info www.near-fest.com.  Camping passes available onsite. 
 
 
Flea markets & Conventions

Call For Presenters: 2022 HamXposition, August 26-28

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HamXposition logoPhil Temples, K9HI, writes:

Don’t just attend the 2022 Northeast HamXposition—BE A PART OF IT! The HamXposition Committee seeks fresh and exciting presentations for this year’s joint ARRL New England/Hudson Division Convention on August 26, 27 & 28, 2022. We’re looking for talks of both a technical and non-technical nature. As a HamXposition presenter, you will have the opportunity to share your subject and knowledge with amateur radio operators from around New England, New York, the surrounding states, and Canada.

In addition to talks and forums throughout the day on Saturday, we will feature Saturday evening entertainment, workshops on Friday, and a half-day Sunday program.

If you represent a regional club or organization (e.g. YCCC, NEQRP, WRONE, MARS, etc.) we can help facilitate open forums or closed meetings by providing you a meeting space.

Non-profit groups who wish to set up information tables should get your requests in early. While the tables are offered without charge, we ask for some volunteer time in return to assist us with ticket sales and other logistics during the convention.

To register as a speaker or presenter, please go to https://hamxposition.org/speaker.html or email k9hi@hamxposition.org if you have additional questions.

We look forward to seeing you at the Convention.

73,

Phil Temples, K9HI
Program Chair
Northeast HamXposition
k9hi@hamxposition.org

Flea markets & Conventions

HamXposition to Host New England and Hudson Division Conventions

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HamXposition logo

From nediv.arrl.org:

In what may well be a “first,” the Northeast HamXposition is proud to announce that it will host both New England and Hudson division conventions this year.  HamXposition will be held on August 26 – 28, 2022, in Marlborough, MA.

FEMARA, the organization that runs HamXposition, voted on February 17 to officially approve the unique arrangement. Attendees included: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, New England Director; Ria Jairam, N2RJ, Hudson Division Director; Phil Temples, K9HI, New England Vice Director; Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, ARRL 1st Vice President and FEMARA President; and Bob DeMattia, K1IW, HamXposition General Chairman. Director Jairam was officially appointed to the HamXposition Committee.

Proceeds from the convention will be directed to scholarships for both New England and Hudson Division students.  Volunteers and speakers will be drawn from both divisions.  Other details will be worked out as things progress.

“It certainly has been a while since the Hudson Division has had a convention” said Ria, N2RJ. “By joining forces with the New England Division for a joint convention, we can bring back a sense of nostalgia and community.” 

“We are excited to have the Hudson Division join with New England to support and grow the 2022 HamXposition event.” said Fred, AB1OC. “It’s a great opportunity to expand HamXposition participation, programs, and work to provide support for the scholarships to young hams in both divisions.”

“Joining the two division events into one convention offers expanded opportunities for attendees, League members, and vendors alike” commented Mike, K1TWF.  “We anticipate larger attendance than we have seen in many years.”

The Northeast HamXposition, formerly known as “Boxboro,” features a Saturday morning keynote address, Friday and Saturday evening banquet dinners with special guest speakers, a large outdoor flea market along with an ample indoor commercial vendor space. The convention’s impressive three-day program of forums and speakers is one of the best in the country.

Bob, K1IW
General Chair, HamXposition 2022

Flea markets & Conventions

Algonquin ARC Flea Market is Still On! February 19, 2022

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Tim Ikeda, KA1OS, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
 
This is just a notice for your club members that our ham radio flea market in Marlborough MA is still on for Saturday, February 19, 2022. It will be held at the Marlborough 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb School (formerly Marlborough Middle School) on 25 Union St. in Marlborough. Vendor check in begins at 6:30 am and we open for general admission at 9:00 am.
 
Please note:
With the event being held at a public school, state law requires all participants wear a mask inside the building.
 
More details are available on our website:
 
Thank you!
 
Tim Ikeda – KA1OS
Algonquin Amateur Radio Club – Secretary
 
 
Flea markets & Conventions

HamXposition Volunteer Webmaster Sought

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From nediv.arrl.org:
 
Northeast HamXposition General Chair Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes:
 
FEMARA, Inc, the organization behind HamXposition/The ARRL New England Division Convention (and formerly known as Boxboro!) is looking for a volunteer to build and maintain its web presence at hamxposition.org.  We are currently running on a non-standard content management system platform, but are seeking to convert to a standard platform such as WordPress.  Your first task will be to convert the website to this platform,  maintaining the current content and building an operational commerce engine to handle online ticket sales.  Once this is in place, you  will make content updates and maintain the system.   Experience with web sites and basic e-commerce will be needed.
 
This is a volunteer opportunity.  Almost all work can be done at home.  We will have 4-6 meetings throughout the year which you will be asked to attend.  All meetings can be attended on Zoom.
 
Please contact Bob DeMattia k1iw@hamxposition.org if you are interested in helping us out.
 

FEMARA Inc. is a Massachusetts non-profit corporation that sponsors and runs the ARRL New England Division Convention.  Our goals are twofold; to offer the richest and most diverse ARRL Convention in the country, and to support the ARRL Foundation’s scholarship program.

FEMARA is qualified under IRS 501(c)(3). Donations to FEMARA are deductible as allowed by IRS regulations.

 
You can read more about us at https://hamxposition.org/about-femara
Flea markets & Conventions / Licensing Education & Training

“Ham Radio University” Going Virtual Again, January 8, 2022

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Ham Radio University 2022 logoWith COVID-19 uncertainties precluding an in-person gathering for a second year, the 23rd annual Ham Radio University (HRU <http://www.hamradiouniversity.org/>) educational conference will be held as a virtual event again this year, on Saturday, January 8, 1300 – 2000 UTC, as an online GoToWebinar videoconference.

Advance registration is required and begins on December 20.

HRU 2022 will be adding five forums this year, for a total of 19 presentations by experts in a broad range of amateur radio activities, including Amateur Radio Emergency Communications. Other topics are:

*       Basics of HF Operating
*       Ham Radio Contesting and DXing
*       Communicating through Amateur Radio Earth Satellites
*       Software-Defined Radios
*       HF and VHF Digital Communications
*       Parks on the Air
*       SKYWARN
*       Cables and Connectors
*       Using Raspberry Pi Computers in Amateur Radio.

Online attendees will be able to ask questions of the presenters. Founded by Phil Lewis, N2MUN (SK), HRU also serves as the  online convention of the ARRL NYC-Long Island Section.

As in past years, participation in HRU 2022 is free; an optional donation of $5 is suggested. Additional information is online, including the schedule of forums and advance registration starting December 20

Flea markets & Conventions

NEAR-Fest XXX Health and Safety Guidelines

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NEAR-Fest logoAs we get ready to return to Deerfield NH in a couple days to resume our beloved hamfest that we have all missed so much for two years it is obvious that there are some fundamental precautions we must institute in order to be in full compliance with all CDC, State and Town Departments of Public Health guidelines.  We do not want to wear out our welcome.  NEAR-FEST IS SAFE FOR ALL must be our motto!

It is our hope that everyone will have been vaccinated.  However we realize that not everyone will be.  If you have not had your shots please take extra care: wear a mask especially inside and use hand sanitizer often. We don’t want anyone getting sick at our event.

The State of New Hampshire does not currently have a mask mandate so neither does NEAR-Fest.  However, we have some common sense requests and recommendations because we want everybody to feel safe at our hamfest:

1:  We are strongly requesting that everyone wear a mask or face shield while inside the commercial buildings, when attending forums and when at the exam session.   Masks will be available at the entrance to these buildings but it is advisable to bring your own as well.  We are also strongly requesting that all attendees wear a mask when buying or presenting your admission ticket or otherwise interacting with any of our staff members.

2:  Our staff volunteers have expressed some concerns and we want them to feel comfortable helping us run the fester.  Remember we cannot do the hamfest without them. They did not volunteer to get Covid.  Many of them aren’t the young healthy kids we once were and have serious concerns about covid either personally or with immediate family members.  We are requesting that everyone put aside all political and personal views about mask wearing and wear them where we have requested out of respect for the dedicated volunteers who run this event.

We  are committed to keeping everyone safe and this request from me is part of this commitment.

3: The use of hand sanitizer is advised especially after handling any items in the flea market and commercial buildings.  We will have hand sanitizer in automatic dispensers as well as masks available at the entrances to the buildings. 

Additionally, we ask that all attendees attempt to maintain a distance of six feet (or two metres) from others as much as possible and avoid crowding others at flea market and commercial vendor tables.  I know this is difficult especially if there is “good stuff cheap”.

These are still difficult and trying times.  We are glad to be back running the hamfest again but the world has changed in the past 18 months and we must change with it.  We appreciate your cooperation which is particularly important because we want to continue holding the hamfest while assuring the local community that we pose a minimal health threat with our presence.

HELP MAKE NEAR-FEST SAFE FOR ALL! 

Stay well!

MisterMike, W1RC, and the entire NEAR-Fest gang

Flea markets & Conventions

NEAR-Fest is October 15-16, 2021

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Michael Crestohl, W1RC, writes:

NEAR-Fest logoAttention All Units!  NEAR-Fest XXX is Next Weekend… We Are Back Live and Online!

We are pleased to announce that NEAR-Fest XXX will begin at 0900 on Friday, October 15, 2021.  It will be a hybrid event both live at the Deerfield (NH) Fairgrounds and online worldwide via Zoom.  
 
For more information follow these links:
 
General Information:  https://near-fest.com/
 
Don’t miss our “Town Meetimg” candidates for ARRL New England Director forum!
 
 
 
Divisive issue to be sure but let’s all respect each other’s wishes to keep everyone safe.  
 
It has been a long two years…
 
73,
 
MisterMike, W1RC
Benevolent Dictator,
New England Amateur Radio Festival, Inc.
Flea markets & Conventions

NEAR-Fest is ON! October 15-16, 2021

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NEAR-Fest logoMichael Crestohl, W1RC, writes:

NEAR-FEST XXX is ON!  We are looking forward to seeing all our friends, new and old, after a very long two-year absence at Deerfield at 0900 on Friday October 15th.

Although there are no state or local mandates we want everybody to feel safe at NEAR-Fest.  We are asking all attendees to bring their own masks and hand sanitizer.   PLEASE respect the wishes of others and wear a mask when inside any of our buildings and observe a 10’ or 2m distance from others whenever possible.  We also request that you don your mask when interacting with any member of our staff, inside or outside.  They have expressed their concerns.  Remember if we didn’t have them we could not do NEAR-Fest! Kindly honor their wishes.

Tickets will be on sale at the gate.  Admission is $15 per person and $10 for inside parking which includes flea market selling space.  You can save $5 on your admission tickets if you buy them in advance.  They are available BY MAIL (do not mail later than Monday October 5th)Mail to NEAR-Fest, 316 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead MA 01945, checks or amo payable to NEAR-Fest and a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Also available in person at Ham Radio Outlet in Salem NH and at Ross W1EKG’s clock shop, 40 Walnut Street in Whitman MA.

We look forward to our “Grand Homecoming”.  It has been a very long two years.

73,

MisterMike, W1RC

PS: Don’t forget to attend the ARRL Division Director candidates “Town Hall” meeting on Friday.   See our web site www.near-fest.com for details.

 
 
Flea markets & Conventions

Preliminary Ticket Sales Estimates for 2021 HamXposition

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HamXposition logoHamXposition Chairman Bob DeMattia, K1IW, has released some preliminary numbers for ticket sales for the Northeast HamXposition and New England ARRL Convention in Marlborough, MA on September 10-12, 2021.

“Based on the number of unissued tickets, attendance was 1212,” writes Bob.

“We printed 2200 tickets, and had 988 remaining at the end.  We issued approximately 1212 tickets total.” K1IW adds, “For what it’s worth, my prediction was we would issue around 1200.”

The Committee expects to net between $8,000 to $10,000 in profits–most of which will be used to fund FEMARA scholarships.

Flea markets & Conventions

HamXposition Expands Flea Market Start to Friday at 12 Noon

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Roger Coulson, WA1NVC, writes on the Waltham ARA mailing list:

The HamXposition (New England Division Convention) Flea Market is open on FRIDAY this year!

This is new having the FLEA MARKET starting at Noon on FRIDAY!

The Flea Market Hours are:

– Friday:  12 PM to 5 PM
– Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
– Sunday:   9 AM to 1 PM

https://hamxposition.org/flea-market

See you on FRIDAY at HamXposition!

Roger
WA1NVC

Flea markets & Conventions

QRP Club of New England Schedule of Activities at HamXposition

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NE QRP logoThe QRP Club of New England (NEQRP) has published a schedule of activities for its members at the Northeast HamXposition, September 10-12, 2021. 

Activities include: Early Birds Meet ‘N Greet, QRP Vendors Night, Night Owls Gathering, QRP Symposium of Talks and more. 

For the full schedule, see <https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NEQRPatNortheastHamXposition2021.pdf>.

Flea markets & Conventions

HamXposition Announces COVID Policy for 2021 Convention

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The Northeast HamXposition Convention Committee has announced its policy to address appropriate COVID precautions for the ARRL New England Division Convention to be held on September 10-12, 2021 in Marlborough, Massachusetts. 

Masks will be required to be worn in all indoor areas, but may be removed for the purpose of eating. Masks will not be required in outdoor areas. The Committee will provide free masks to attendees. In addition, seating capacity will be limited in most rooms.

To view the complete policy, visit <https://hamxposition.org/covid>.

Flea markets & Conventions / Operating

W1A/N6A Special Event Station: “Discover the HF Experience Event,” Elmer Call Up

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Gerry Hull, W1VE, writes on the YCCC list:

Hi Folks,

For those who are planning to attend the Northeast HamXposition Sept 10-12, we are planning, as usual, a special event station.  Marty, NN1C and I will be spearheading the effort.

Rather than just a drop-by-and-say-hi/Quick QSO moment, we thought it would be great to turn this into another “Discover the HF Experience” activity.  If you remember, this was done in the past by both YCCC and a group of contest clubs at the Dayton Hamvention.  It was a great success. 

So, this year, at HamXposition, we will have three operating positions.  Two of the stations will be remote, and the third will be a local station at the Xposition, with dipole antennas.

We are excited to show hams what shortwave radio is, and especially what it is like in 2021.  We would like to give new hams/non-hams at least a taste for what HF radio is, and why we get so excited about it.   We have two fantastic superstations for our remote operations, and they should excite both old and new!

What we need is some of your expertise and time.  A new ham or someone interested in the hobby can read books till they are blue in the face — but what they can learn from an Elmer will stay with them forever.

I have a sign-up sheet for Elmers.  You sign up for any of the three stations in half-hour increments.  We will have another public signup sheet for those new-hams/non-hams/shy-ops wishing to participate.    Perhaps you will come and just explain what HF is all about, perhaps make a QSO or two, or just enjoy some operating time.   However, explaining what we do and how we do it should be our primary focus.

If you do not want to operate — come by and be an ambassador for our hobby.

We will be setting aside some specific times where we will simply talk to the crowd, and answer lots of specific questions. What’s SSB?  What’s CW?  What’s Digital?  What are the HF bands? What is a remote station? Etc. 

Here is the sign-up sheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k9z9-oM0copOynmLGlQI4-Nh_HDLYS_n5-MWUkz14xU/edit?usp=sharing

(It is only open to YCCC mail members.  If you can figure out how to share publicly, let me know.)

The hours are:

  • Friday 6pm – Midnight
  • Sat: 9am – Midnight
  • Sun: 9am – 12 noon

About the stations:

The local station will be a 100w station with low dipoles, located on the property, signing W1A.

W1A@W1KM Cape Cod, Massachusetts Remote:

Greg has graciously given us permission to use his station.  It is one of the premiere HF contest stations on the east coast, with antennas literally sitting on the Cape Cod bay. 

N6A@WA6TQT Anza, California Remote:

My good friends who are the owners/supporters of WA6TQT (ex W6BH Radio Ranch) have graciously offered the Anza Superstation for this special event.   It has a commanding signal into the pacific (worldwide, actually) on 160-10m.

Please help!  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

73,

Gerry W1VE

Flea markets & Conventions

HamXposition 2021 – Online Ticketing Available

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Northeast HamXposition logo

Come join us at our new venue–the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

Friday, September 10 through Sunday, September 12

Flea Market:  Friday 12-5, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 9-1
Exhibition Hall: Saturday 9-5, Sunday 9-1
Forums & Seminars: See our schedule
 
Online ticketing for Northeast HamXposition 2021 is available Wednesday, August 11.  You can order General Admission, Flea Spaces, and tickets for the Friday and Saturday dinner events. 

http://hamxposition.org/tickets

* Tech in a Day * VE Exams * W1A Special Event * W1B Special Event * Nashua Area Radio Club’s Ham Bootcamp * NEQRP Symposium * New England ARES Academy *

FRIDAY and SATURDAY night movie:  “Contact” at 9 PM

All convention attendees are eligible to win at our grand prize drawing on Sunday.

Grand prize: Yaesu FTDX-10
First prize: RFinder B1
Second prize: Icom IC-7300
Third prize: Yaesu FTM-300
 

FRIDAY DXCC Dinner

KO8SCAJoin your fellow hams for a delicious DXCC/Contest dinner on the first night of the convention!   Adrian Ciuperca, KO8SCA, will recap his recent DXPedition and IARU Contest activities/activations from the Market Reef, Aland and Brando Islands.

Adrian is a keen DXer with DXCC 317, 9BDXCC, IOTA and a passionate contester who competed in WRTC 2018 in Wittenberg, Germany. 

All dinner attendees are eligible to win a Yaesu FTM-300 door prize.

 

 

 

Dr. Philip J. Erickson, W1PJESATURDAY GRAND Banquet

Enjoy dinner as our guest speaker, Dr. Philip J. Erickson, W1PJE, discusses his group’s latest HamSCI’s latest ionospheric science investigations Haystack Observatory, a radio observatory operated by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is a member of ARRL, RSGB, and TAPR, vice president of the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club.

All dinner attendees are eligible to win a Yaesu FTM-300 door prize.