ARRL National Convention in Dayton to feature forums, faces and fun

A slate of at least 10 ARRL-sponsored forums and activities will highlight the League's 2005 National Convention, held in conjunction with Dayton Hamvention® Friday through Sunday, May 20-22. Even more are in the planning stages.

In addition, ARRL EXPO 2005--a special area at Hara Arena where visitors can learn what the League means to Amateur Radio--will offer an opportunity to meet ARRL publication authors, view software demonstrations, find out more about DXCC, ARES, clubs and mentoring, the ARRL Education and
Technology Program, youth activities, amateur licensing, product review testing, RFI, BPL and much more.

ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, now deeply engaged in planning activities, is eager to spread the
enthusiasm about this year's ARRL National convention.

"The level of excitement for the 2005 ARRL National Convention is contagious," Inderbitzen said. "Dayton Hamvention has really rolled out the red carpet for ARRL, preparing the way for a top-notch show, and ARRL staffers and volunteers are pulling together loads of exhibits, displays and presentations."

The lion's share of ARRL's National Convention activity will take place at ARRL EXPO 2005 in the "Ballarena" at Hara Arena. Inderbitzen says visitors should come prepared not just to learn or be informed but to have some fun.

Cover of the Rolling Stone? Well, how about cover of the QST? Visitors dropping by ARRL EXPO 2005 can have their photo taken then digitally superimposed on a cover of QST. For a modest fee, they'll walk away with a souvenir to wow their friends--or at least to hang on the wall of the shack.

On the more serious or instructional side:

* ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, will moderate the ARRL Grassroots Lobbying Forum, Friday, May 20, 9-10 AM, in Room 2. Here's a chance to network with fellow hams involved in shaping Amateur Radio's future in the arena of federal government planning and policy.

* ARRL Club and Mentoring Coordinator Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, will host the ARRL Clubs and Mentoring Forum, Friday, May 20, 9-10 AM, in Room 4. Learn some fresh and exciting ways to make your radio club a hub of activity, with a special emphasis on exploring the role of clubs in mentoring and
instruction.

* ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, presents "ARRL Goes to Washington For You," Friday, May 20, 10:15 AM-11:15 AM, in Room 2.

* The forum Amateur Radio and The Law, "Getting it Up and Keeping it UP," is set for Friday, 12:45-2:15 PM, in Room 3. Led by Amateur Radio attorneys, the discussion will cover legal issues of interest to hams including restrictive covenants, antenna support structure permitting, and recent
court decisions on RFI.

* The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Forum is Friday, May 20, 2:30 PM-3:45 PM, in Room 3.
The moderator is ARRL Public Service Team Manager Steve Ewald, WV1X.

* Well-known DXer and contester Tim Duffy, K3LR, will share the podium with ARRL antenna expert and ARRL Antenna Book editor Dean Straw, N6BV, for the Antenna Technology Forum, Friday, May 20, 2:45 PM-5 PM, in Room 1. Straw will discuss "Strategies Using Propagation Predictions for DXing and Contesting."

* "What's Your Buzz in Amateur Radio?" Find out or offer your own favorites Saturday, May 21, 8:15-9:30 AM, in Room 3. President Haynie and members of the ARRL Board of Directors will be your hosts. The focus will be on how ARRL works for what you enjoy most in Amateur Radio.

* The ARRL Public Relations Forum takes place Sunday, May 22, 8:30 AM-10:00 AM, in Room 1. Moderating is ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP. Highlighting the forum will be an interactive panel
discussion.

* The ARRL Technology Task Force Forum is Sunday, 10:15 AM-12 Noon, in Room 1. ARRL Central Division Vice Director Howard Huntington, K9KM, will moderate.

* Steve Ewald, WV1X will moderate the ARRL Section Managers and Section Leaders Forum, Sunday, May 22, 10:15 AM-11:15 AM, in Room 4.

Visitors also will find ARRL staff members and volunteers at many other Hamvention forums. Sessions organized by individuals working directly with Dayton Hamvention include: Teacher's Workshop with Carole Perry, WB2MGP, and Youth in Amateur Radio Program; DXing and Contesting forums and more! A complete slate of convention forums is available on the Dayton Hamvention Web site.

In addition to the various forums and presentations, ARRL Ohio Section Manger Joe Phillips, K8QOE, is organizing an ARRL Wouff Hong ceremony Saturday, May 21, at 10:30 PM, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton.

The theme of Dayton Hamvention 2005 is "Bringing hams together from around the world." Upward of 25,000 visitors from the US and elsewhere on the globe make the annual pilgrimage to Hamvention, where socializing is a big part of
the fun.

For additional updates check the ARRL National Convention at Dayton Hamvention Web page.

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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