Michael Kalter W8CI is the voice and steady hand behind the Dayton Hamvention, serving on its executive committee and as official spokesperson while also helping lead the Dayton Amateur Radio Association. What he describes is not just a convention, it is a phenomenon. With attendance pushing past 30,000 and every booth and flea market space effectively sold out, Hamvention has become something closer to a global pilgrimage for radio operators. Kalter emphasizes preparation. Study the forums, download the app, plan your days, because the scale can overwhelm even seasoned attendees. The forums, he notes, remain the heart of the event, carefully selected from a flood of volunteer proposals that built Hamvention’s reputation. But beneath the logistics is something more human. For Kalter, the magic is in reunion, the yearly convergence of voices and callsigns from around the world. It is where friendships pick up instantly and new ideas take shape. He lights up talking about the explosion of Parks on the Air, SOTA, SDR, and new technologies that are pushing operators out of the shack and into the field, testing skill and creativity in real conditions. There is also a sense of continuity. From building a Knight Kit as a kid to marveling at today’s spectrum displays and software defined rigs, Kalter reflects the evolution of amateur radio itself. And if you want a glimpse of what comes next, he points to the youth forums, where the next generation is already stepping forward. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio.
I've gone the last three years with my father and am going again this year! I drive 8 1/2 hours from Iowa and he drives about 6 from Tennessee and we meet up for the week! I grew up in a divorced family and lived with my mother, so it's nice to get to spend any time we have left as he gets older doing something we both enjoy! Last year we both volunteered to help driving the golf carts for transportation. My father enjoyed it so much he's volunteering again this year to help out! Last year I really enjoyed the POTA booth and meeting faces with callsigns I've made with all the park contacts. I look forward to this year and am praying for great weather!
Great job with the presentation of the Dayton Hamvention Michael. Look forward to be there this year. 73 -
I have been attending since 2008, and aside from my ARES activities, I'm not as "radio-active" as I have been in the past. This is the best event for meeting up with old friends and making new ones as well! Our group of guys got flea mkt spots, to sell and to have our "oasis" for meeting, lauging, and napping. I appreciate the words from Michael. I have met him on a couple occasions and can attest to him being the most genuinely friendly and interested in what you had to offer in the conversation. I am doing my pre-emptive walking and stretching and collecting funds for another great year!
If I can make it this year it will be my 51st or 52nd Hamvention. Nothing else like it on earth! Thanks for the inside story and 73!
My first Dayton was last year...I was totally overwhelmed. I am going back to this years event with a better plan, now that I know the lay of the land. Showing my age here, but the old Rochester Hamfest at the Dome was so big that I thought Dayton would be just redo/overkill. Sadly, most of those big events are gone. Thank goodness DARA actually made it a better event after it left the HARA Arena.
Last time I attended was in the 80s. NQ0I and I drove down from Toledo (at that time he was WA8NVQ). I return finally this year and NQ0I is presenting 1st thing Friday AM. I'm sure to miss a bunch but at least I expect to be there all 3 days.
I used to attend the RaRa ham fest in Rochester right around this time every year when it was a couple weeks after Dayton Hamvention. I remember when Dayton moved their dates forward by a couple weeks in an attempt to avoid the foul weather it had been experiencing. RaRa had no choice but to move ahead to the first weekend in June. It was never the same after that. Then there were some internal problems within the club and the once magnificent RARA Hamfest dwindled down to nothing. I sure miss the Rochester hamfest.
