You could certainly start here: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar But good luck - it's likely going to be a pretty long time before ham fests as we knew them are back. Outdoor parking lots / tail-gate fests maybe.... but for the foreseeable future, I'm pretty sure the days of packing thousands of hams inches apart, crammed into crowded isles are over. Dave W7UUU
That statement does not bode well for Dayton. Still scheduled for 6 months away. Lets hope. I'm going through hamfest withdrawal. Graham Ve3gcx
I think we all have to worry about the next 3 months and the holidays before we can start thinking about hamfest. Breathing is more important to me than a hamfest/ in the mean time I've been making lots of contacts on the air.
You're really hoping to cram in face-to-face, inches from thousands of other hams in tight isles in a hot sweaty room for days? Are you really thinking venues by Spring will be willing to take on this liability and responsibility? I don't see that happening - but totally understand others may have other views. Dave W7UUU
Realistically, No!. Nor would I fault, any organization that decided to play it safe. That said, I still miss hamfests and hope for their return. Hamvention and NEARFest are the 2 biggies that I travel to the US for. Right now I know of only person that crosses the border right now, he owns the family farm in MA and needs to check on it, but lives in Canada and has both US and Canadian Passports so gets through border checks on "citizen returning home". The price though, is enforced 2 weeks of home quarantine when returning to Canada. Our federal government does check that the quarantine is observed. With respect to Dayton The conferences have ample empty spaces and the inside commercial vendors I will visit them Thursday or Sunday morning before the herd arrives and after it departs. The outside usually has plenty of space. This virus is not going away anytime soon. According to that which I have read in The Economist Magazine, clinically confirmed, second infections of people that have already had and recovered from Covid-19, have occurred. This would lead me to believe the antibodies generated do not last long or the virus mutates rapidly. Hence a vaccine's effects would also be short term. Graham Ve3gcx
They are planning on having the Orlando Hamvention 2-11-2021 to 2-14-2021 I'm on their web page.... I'm planning on driving down,and maybe driving to Miami, and Key West. It all depends on the virus and other stuff. I flew to Orlando in 2016,and then drove to Key West and back up to Miami for their ham convention.then back to Orlando found some time to do some metal detecting on the beach I would almost like to spend a 1-3 months,just metal detecting up and down the 30 miles plus beach,that they have .Would also like to do the same in Hawaii
That will happen...the question is "when." I tend to thing the next 3 - 4 months will determine things. If there's not a huge explosion of virus cases this fall/winter and if there's an effective and safe vaccine I think spring hamfest season may be on. Unfortunately...the cases are trending up again already here in early fall, supposedly the strain infecting people is more easily transmissible now, flu season is coming on top of that, whether there will be an effective and safe vaccine anytime soon is an open question, and more than a few--including people 60+ years old--STILL don't take the threat seriously. If I had to guess? No Orlando Hamcation, no Dayton...maybe Huntsville in August. I hope to be proven wrong, of course.
Just learned earlier today https://sites.google.com/hamcom.org/ham-com It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter about the future of Ham-Com. After 41 years, Ham-Com has decided to close its doors in lieu of the restrictions in place for COVID-19 and the rising costs of putting on a show. The decision was not made lightly, but the safety and wellness of our volunteers, vendors, clubs, presenters, and attendees is our paramount concern. We sincerely thank each and every person for their support over the past years. This starts with clubs who have participated in offering forums, transmitter sessions, VE sessions, talk-ins, and many more things through the years. Next, to the commercial and flea market vendors who have helped new hams get their first radio to established hams who are building the ultimate ham shack, we thank you for returning year over year. To the volunteer staff, functional directors, and access control, your dedication and hard work have contributed to the continued success of the show for 41 years. Finally, to our attendees. Without you, there is no show. Over 41 years, we have met a variety of people with one common passion, amateur radio. Ham-Com is proud to contribute to bringing people together to enjoy this passion. We will definitely miss this gathering of the broader community. Our thoughts and best wishes to you and your families and “see you on-the-air”. 73 Bill Nelson President of Ham-Com Inc
