Saratoga County NY Saturday September 12, 2026 Ballston Spa, NY

SCARA 40th Annual Hamfest
HAMFEST/CONVENTION

09/12/2026
Start Date: 09/12/2026
End Date: 09/12/2026
Location: Saratoga County Fairgrounds
162 Prospect Street
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Website: http://K2DLL.ORG
Sponsor: ARRL
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Talk-In: 147.000, PL-91.5
Public Contact: Fred Halley , W2EMS
PO Box 324 Clifton Park, NY 12065
Phone: 518-505-3733
Email: W2EMS@ARRL.NET
https://www.arrl.org/hamfests/scara-40th-annual-hamfest


Online Hamfest ticketing

This year the Saratoga County Amateur Radio Association (SCARA) is offering online ticketing available for attendees for our 40th Annual Hamfest. On-site tickets will still be available.

Tickets can be purchased by pointing your web browser to: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/40th-annual-hamfest

Tickets are $10 each and free for anyone under 18 years old.

Just bring your receipt from the online purchase and we’ll provide you with a paper ticket so you can be included in the “every half-hour door prize drawing”, which you do need to be present to win.

Also, we are offering camping on-site at the Fairgrounds for $55 per site. You still need to purchase a Hamfest ticket.


Hamfest Camping Details

All parties must have valid admission tickets while on the grounds.

Tickets can be purchased by pointing your web browser to: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/40th-annual-hamfest


STAYING AT THE FAIRGROUNDS OVERNIGHT

You may stay directly on the Fairgrounds for the SCARA 40th Hamfest.

All vehicles, including passenger cars, may be parked on the grounds beginning Friday, September 11th at 12:00 PM. The gates will open for participants staying overnight at Noon on Friday (you must have a camping ticket AND a general admission ticket for each person staying overnight.) You WILL NOT have to move on Saturday morning or during Hamfest. All campers must be packed up and off the Fairgrounds by 4:00 PM on Saturday. You may come in and set up for camping ONLY! NO FLEA MARKET activity is allowed on Friday. SCARA Staff will police this, and you will be asked to cover/put away any items you have placed on tables for sale. The flea market is not open for business until Saturday morning.

Overnight Passes

All people staying overnight on the grounds MUST prominently display a valid camping ticket on their vehicle’s dashboard. If you have a tent, please make it obvious which vehicle or hang tag corresponds to the tent.

Each overnight guest must buy the appropriate pass before arriving at the Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon/evening. Once again, people sleeping in vehicles are responsible for the applicable overnight pass fee, whether they plug into the electrical system or not.

Overnight Camping Classifications & Rates:

We use the term “camping” loosely; it applies to anyone staying on the grounds before or overnight during the Hamfest. Regardless of whether you are staying on-site in an RV, tent, or in a private vehicle, the cost of the overnight ticket is the same.

RV – Staying on the grounds in Motorhomes, travel trailers, conversion vans, and pop-up tenting trailers. Any vehicle whose PRIMARY purpose is for recreational use or in which to sleep.

Overnighter –Staying on the grounds in a tent or vehicle that is not an “RV.”

Arrival Times & Check-in:

• Friday – 12:00 pm:
  The gates open for camping guests at 12:00 pm on the Friday before the event. Staging on the grounds and waiting until the gates open at Noon is NOT permitted. Effectively, Prospect St. will not be available for staging prior to the gates opening at Noon, and you will be turned away and will have to find another place (off the grounds) to park and wait. Also, camping passes MUST be purchased prior to arriving at the Fairgrounds as no on-site camping will be sold.

Where is Camping Permitted?

If you have a hamfest ticket, will be tailgating and have a Camping pass you can camp in the flea market or the camping area. However, you may not occupy space in the primary flea market area unless you are selling from that space. At the discretion of the flea market area director, we may require you to move to a more appropriate location or alter your position. The intent is not to block off access to or take up tailgating spaces with an RV, tent, camper, or vehicles. It is recommended that you keep this in mind, and if you have a BIG rig, keep it off to the side or otherwise out of the way. If you are unclear about anything, please ask the flea market area director for assistance (go to the information building, and they can get him for you).

If you do NOT plan on tailgating, you must camp in the designated camping area.

Hookups:

Electric and water hookups are included with your overnight pass. Not all areas will have hookups or be nearby, so we recommend you bring long hoses and cords. Electrical hookups are mostly 120V 20A (standard wall-socket type), so you should not plan to run electric heat.

• NO Campfires

Campfires, propane fire pits, and similar devices are not permitted in the camping area.

• Departure Time:

All participants shall depart the grounds after the Hamfest by 4:00 PM on Saturday.

• Dump Station

A dump station is *NOT* available on site. Dump stations are located at:

• Saratoga RV Park (Closest) – Saratoga RV Park – (No advance notice required) $50.00 for dump station use!

4894 NY-50, Gansevoort, NY 12831 – 518-798-1913

• Stone Industries – Stone Industries – (ON SITE SERVICE) $85.00 + 5% Environmental fee + Sales tax (Must have 1-week advance notice)
  4305 NY-50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 – 518-584-1048

• Enforcement & non-compliance

The staff will check all participants and vehicles for valid passes and tickets during the event, including evenings and early morning hours. If they cannot find a valid pass displayed, you risk being awakened at an inconvenient time and being asked to present one.

If you cannot present valid passes and/or tickets, you will be asked to immediately obtain the required passes and tickets, plus a $50 service fee from staff. Upon completion of payment, the required pass(es) and ticket(s) will be issued. Failure to pay is considered “theft of service.” If you refuse to pay, you will be removed from the grounds and not permitted to return.

All parties must have valid admission tickets while on the grounds.

All questions regarding camping at the fairgrounds may be directed to HAMFEST@K2DLL.ORG or Fred Halley at 518-505-3733

Lodging near SCARA Hamfest

The Saratoga County Amateur Radio Association (SCARA) has secured a block of rooms at two local hotels for Hamfest attendees that would like to arrive a day prior to the Hamfest and possibly stay the night of the Hamfest.

Both hotels are just 5.5 miles (14-minute drive) from the Hamfest location, the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa.

• Fairfield Inn and Suites:
  • Friday September 11th and / or the 12th, 2026 – $139.00 plus tax per night (10%)
  • 101 Saratoga Village Blvd, Malta, NY 12020 – (518) 899-6900

• Home2 Suites:
  • Friday September 11th and / or the 12th, 2026 – $149.00 plus tax per night (10%)
  • 103 Saratoga Village Blvd, Malta, NY 12020 – (518) 899-9100

• To take advantage of these great hotel prices please be sure to follow these simple rules:
  • A block of only 10 rooms will be set aside at each hotel, book early to ensure you get a room at the discounted price.
  • Reservations must be made 30 days prior to your arrival.
  • You may cancel your reservation up to two days prior to your arrival if your plans change.
  • Be sure to mention the “HAMFEST block of rooms” or “Amateur Radio” when calling to make your reservation.

VE Session Information

Hamfest Test Session

Hello all. Just a reminder that the hamfest is coming up on Sept 12, just a short time away. As usual we will be having a VE test session at 8:30 right at the fairgrounds.

ARRL has changed their VE procedures. As a result we are now requiring preregistration for the test. Here is how you do it.

*Go to hamstudy.org. If you do not already have a login there you will need to register with them. If you do not already have a ham radio license, the site will walk you through obtaining your FRN (FCC Registration Number). You will need that in order to take a test.

*Next you will need to” Find a Session”. Scroll down the list to September 6. Find the line for Ballston Spa, SCARA.

*Click on green “Time” button.

*Next click on the “Register” button.

*Next enter your Call Sign or FRN number

*Next review your address

*Next say what class of license you would like to test for.

*Next answer the “Basic Qualification Question”

*Next give your “Contact Information”

*Next “Review”

*The next screen will give you a 4 digit PIN number. You will need that and your FRN at the exam session. Review the notes at the bottom of the screen.

*Show up at the exam and pass your test – GOOD LUCK

 

Tickets can be purchased by pointing your web browser to: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/40th-annual-hamfest

 

Sorry I will Not be able to attend.