81st Annual Atlanta Hamfest - June 5, 2010

Overview:

The 2010 Atlanta Hamfest is back for it’s 81st year with more than 20 exhibitors, a special event station, the classic boneyard, antenna launching contest, training and testing all crammed into one great day in Metro-Atlanta. Kicking off at 8:00am on Saturday June 5 in the Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta, area amateur radio enthusiasts (hams), and those interested in electronics and technology, will enjoy one of the regions largest events.

For more information and directions, visit http://www.atlantahamfest.org

Details:

Stepping out from behind their microphones, amateur radio enthusiasts
(hams) from across the south will gather in Metro-Atlanta on
June 5 for the 2010 Atlanta Hamfest. Building
on 2009’s overflow crowd, the 81st event will include more than 20
exhibitors, a special event station, the classic boneyard, training and
testing all crammed into one great day in Metro-Atlanta. Kicking off at
8:00am on Saturday, June 5 at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta, hams and
those interested in electronics and technology, will enjoy one of the
regions largest events.

Anchoring the event are over 20 exhibitors and clubs showcasing
the latest in amateur radio gear including southern specialty company MFJ
Enterprises. Local clubs bring the event alive by showcasing favorite
operating modes like DX (long distance), QRP (low power), D-Star (Digital
UHF and VHF) and 10-10 (28-30 Mhz operation). Enhancing the group
will be the Atlanta Radio Club’s W4DOC special event station, operating
both voice and digital modes throughout the event. By popular demand,
the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society will host their popular Antenna
Launching contest for the second year. Amateur radio operators and
aspiring hams will have a chance to “Get on the Air” themselves as part of
the special event station. The American Radio Relay League will also have
a significant presence with their Georgia state convention on site. The
ARRL is the premier organization for Ham radio enthusiasts.

A classic part of the event is the annual “boneyard” of electronics.
While you’ll find plenty of amateur radio items for sale there, the
intriguing part for many is the vast array of technology and related items
for sale.

Those interested in amateur radio can hear a talk on how to get
licensed, or come and take the 35 question Technician License exam.
Those that pass will can be on the air by mid-week! In addition, existing
hams can try to test for their General or Extra license grades. As a
bonus, the Atlanta Radio Club will give a free one-year membership to
those who pass their Technician license at the hamfest.

The Atlanta Hamfest, will be held June 5 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
at the 116 acre Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta, GA, is sponsored by the
ARRL and the Atlanta Radio Club. Existing hams can “talk-in” Friday and
Saturday on the Atlanta Radio Club’s flagship 2 meter repeater,
146.820(-) PL 146.2Hz. For more information and directions, visit
http://www.atlantahamfest.org. Those interested in reserving one of the
few remaining tables can also reserve via the website.


The Atlanta Radio Club has operated continuously since 1911. Its
more than 150 licensed amateur radio operators have a mission to serve
the community and advance the hobby of Amateur Radio. The club
provides more than 10 local repeaters for free amateur use. The Atlanta
Radio Club is a special service club of the American Radio Relay League.
For more information visit http://www.atlantaradioclub.com.

 

Schedule of events just released:

9:00 AM

– Ask The Experts – Join Bert Bruner, KE4FOV and his panel of enthusiasts as they take on any and all questions. A great panel for new and aspiring hams.

10:00 AM

– D-Star – Atlanta is one of the foremost cities for D-Star, find out more from John Davis, WB4QDX and Ed Woodrick, WA4YIH

– ARES – From storm spotting to emergency preparedness, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service saves lives every year. Mike Brown, KE4FGF & Gene Clark, W4AYK host.

– Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society Antenna Launcher Contest. Enter in the “Air and Water Assisted” or “Manual” categories.

11:00 AM

– ARRL – The American Radio Relay League is the premier organization for hams in the U.S. Find out the latest from Gene Clark, W4AYK & Greg Sarratt, W4OZK.

– QRP – Hams have communicated distances of hundreds of miles with less power than it takes to run a flashlight. Rich Arland, K7SZ introduces the group to low power concepts.

12:00 Noon

- Amateur Radio License Testing – Sit down and try the 35-question technician license test or go for an upgrade.
Testing fee and other requirements apply, details at http://www.atlantahamfest.org.