August 16, 2021
Good News, those who wanted a room at the Embassy Suites and found it full. They have a limited number of rooms available. Call quickly to reserve a room at the hotel connected to the Hamfest. You must call direct during business hours to book the Hamfest rate: Whitney 256-327-7891 or Gennifer 256-327-7808
The Hamfest Dealer list was updated tonight. See https://hamfest.org/2021-dealer-list for the latest. While the dealer list is a little smaller than a few weeks ago we’re confident you enjoy the return of in-person hamfests featuring manufacturers, dealers, live forums, youth lounge, exam sessions, and face to face meetings. While there is still no State or City mask MANDATE, the use of masks is strongly encouraged & preferred.
73,
Huntsville Hamfest Board
August 15, 2021
We just published the final edition of the Hamfest online program which you can find here: https://hamfest.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Hamfest-Program-2021-08-14-Final-Edition.pdf
You’re encouraged to download this mobile friendly file to your phone to have maps, schedules, prize info and more at your fingertips.
Online ticket sales are now closed to give us time to process the orders. You’ll be able to pick up your tickets starting at 7:30AM Saturday morning in the South Hall lobby. See you soon!
73,
Mark N4BCD
Huntsville Hamfest Chairman
August 11, 2021
Through the year we’ve been encouraged by declining hospitalization rates and positive tests. Now in the past few weeks this COVID Delta variant is reversing trends with hospitalizations up and some locales & organizations implementing mask MANDATES. This fluid situation has everyone on edge – vendors & visitors alike are wondering what to do. MFJ cancelled last week. DXEngineering called today to cancel. But just as many vendors have called recently to say they are still coming.
In an earlier post, the Huntsville Hamfest encouraged everyone attending to be vaccinated. We’re going further in this post to strongly recommend, for the sake of everyone attending and then going home to their families, to wear a mask. This follows CDC GUIDANCE at this time.
At this late date, the Huntsville Hamfest is contractually committed to hosting the show. The only reason for cancelling would be a MANDATE from Local or State government banning indoor mass gatherings.
From the beginning of our planning the Hamfest Board has taken steps to ensure the safety of our guests. Twelve-foot aisles in an expanded space with hand sanitizers social distancing signage throughout the Hall will allow visitors and vendors to safely gather. We will continue to be “The World’s Friendliest Hamfest” but without the handshakes and hugs this year.
73,
Huntsville Hamfest Board
July 30, 2021
Currently there is no Federal, State or Local mask MANDATE at the Von Braun Center. We are likely to see a mix of people wearing and not wearing masks. The choice is yours. The VBC will post social distancing signage and place hand sanitizing stations around the venue. We encourage all attendees to be vaccinated.
Huntsville Hamfest Board
July 7, 2021
The Hamfest website has been updated to include the Dealers and Organizations attending, and a map of the overall event. Also the Saturday Forum schedule and Forums descriptions have been posted. The Sunday Forum schedule should be ready in a few weeks. Please purchase your tickets online to help reduce the Saturday morning crush.
Huntsville Hamfest Board
June 28, 2021
Many clubs are still meeting virtually or are displaced from their regular venue. By request, we’re setting up two Tom Duncan Memorial Storytelling Lounges in recognition of Tom Duncan, KG4CUY (SK) and his past contributions to the success of the Huntsville Hamfest. These quieter curtained off areas are completely free and will allow clubs and groups to meet in-person for 1 hour timeslots during Hamfest hours. To reserve a slot, please send a request to webmaster@hamfest.org with the name of your organization, a contact name & email, and a desired timeslot on Saturday or Sunday.
Mark N4BCD
Huntsville Hamfest Chairman
May 25, 2021
The 2021 Forum slots are almost full with great contributors including ARRL, Flex Radio, DXEngineering, Shack-in-a-Box, Glenn Popiel and more. Also, several experts will cover popular topics such as Lightning Safety, Balloons + Ham Radio, POTA, SOTA, Contesting, DXing, Radio design and more. An early edition list of individual outlines and the schedule should be ready in early June
73, Kevin KG4TEI
Forums Chairman
May 14, 2021
Get ready to celebrate the return of in-person Hamfests! Commercial Vendor space is filling up and Flea Market tables are running out. Forum slots are almost full and we’ve added more big end of day prizes. DX Banquet, Youth Lounge, and more. See you in August!
73, Mark N4BCD
Huntsville Hamfest Chairman
March 13, 2021
We’re excited to announce that registration for Dealer, Flea Market space, and Online Ticket Sales are open! The VBC has approved an expanded layout which grows the Hamfest from 80K to 140K sq ft, allowing us to safely gather and still maintain social distancing. See you soon!
73, Mark N4BCD
Huntsville Hamfest Chairman
March 1, 2021
Huntsville Hamfest is working with the VBC to finalize the dealer and flea-market layout to ensure the compliance to COVID mandates. We will open the Ticket Sales, and Vendor Registration portals as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience and support.
73, Mark N4BCD
Huntsville Hamfest Chairman
February 15, 2021
The Hamfest Board has met with the Von Braun Center to learn about the current rules & regulations for mass-gatherings. In short, the insurmountable obstacles that prevented us from hosting a Hamfest last year have relaxed to the point where we can host a safe and successful event.
Additionally, our survey of commercial and flea-market vendors on their plans to attend returned very encouraging sentiments.
Adjustments to the floor plan are being made to keep everyone safe, in particular 12’ aisle spacing. Additional space will be utilized this year to accommodate the commercial & flea-market vendors and visitors. Once that floor plan is defined in a few weeks we’ll open the web portal up for vendor registration.
We highly recommend visitors to purchase tickets on-line this year. Will-Call windows will be set up to streamline the Saturday morning crush. The ticket web portal will open in a few weeks.
The Hamfest Board is excited at the prospect of hosting a live gathering in a safe way for everyone attending and we look forward to seeing many of our friends again.
Thanks & 73,
Mark N4BCD
Huntsville Hamfest Chairman