Array of 'ARRL Stage' presentations among ARRL Expo 2005 highlights
Rocks, diamonds and the Swiss Army knife are among topics visitors to
ARRL EXPO 2005 can learn more about - at least in a manner of speaking.
As part of the ARRL 2005 National Convention at Dayton Hamvention Friday
through Sunday, May 20-22, an array of speakers will offer bite-sized
live presentations on the "ARRL Stage." ARRL EXPO 2005 will
be in the Ballarena Exhibit Hall in the Hara Arena complex near Dayton,
Ohio.
Counting down the days, ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R,
says ARRL EXPO 2005 and the other National Convention activities will
make this year's Hamvention the best ever.
"You wouldn't think it possible to squeeze more fun and activities
into Dayton Hamvention, but we're going to do it," Inderbitzen said
this week. "It's like having two great shows in one!"
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 Ohio for the occasion.
For the 2005 ARRL Convention, the League is pulling out all the stops
and virtually moving Headquarters to Dayton. Representatives of every
department and activity will be on hand and available to visitors throughout
the event.
Plans are in the works to have W1AW/8 available for guest operators.
The ARRL Stage will spotlight 15-minute presentations every half hour
throughout the convention. Rocks? ARRL Sales and Marketing Manger Dennis
Motschenbacher, K7BV, will explain "The Most Fun You Can Have with
a Rock"--an introduction to meteor-scatter operation. Diamonds? ARRL
Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, will talk up the advantages
of joining the ARRL Diamond Club. And ARRL Media and Public Relations
Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, will describe "The Secret Life of the
Swiss Army
Knife"--everything the well-informed public information officer needs
to know.
There's virtually a topic for every interest imaginable within the broad
spectrum of Amateur Radio pursuits including 6-meter DXing, emergency
communication, an introduction to HF radio for newcomers and "Your
Manual to Building a Radioactive Youth," by 16-year-old ARRL Contributing
Editor
Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM. Of course visitors can expect presentations on
other hot-button topics like BPL and RFI as well as ham radio in the classroom,
how to pick a radio that fits your operating style and how ARRL evaluates
new equipment for QST "Product Review." All sessions will provide
an opportunity for listeners to ask questions and offer comments.
In a "first" for an ARRL National Convention, ARRL EXPO 2005
will provide an Internet Café and WiFi "hot spot!" The
area will be equipped with an 802.11b/g-compliant wireless LAN, providing
wireless Internet access within
the vicinity of ARRL EXPO 2005. For those who left their PCs home, computers
will be available for users to check e-mail or just surf the Web.
The first 5000 visitors to ARRL EXPO 2005 can pick up an ARRL Passport--a
ticket to the ultimate convention scavenger hunt. Collect Passport codes
to qualify for terrific prizes donated by Icom, Kenwood, AOR USA and Alinco.
No
purchase is necessary.
Visitors dropping by ARRL EXPO 2005 can have their photos taken then
digitally superimposed on a cover of QST. For a modest fee, you'll walk
away with a souvenir to wow your friends or at least hang on the wall
of your shack.
Free for the asking is the ARRL National Convention souvenir pin. A lot
of Hamvention visitors collect these each year, and supplies are limited.
At its usual Dayton Hamvention location in Hara Arena's North Hall, the
League will offer "ARRL Relaxation Station." ARRL is making
available tables and chairs for attendees to simply relax and visit. The
North Hall concession will concentrate on retail product sales as well
as ARRL
membership signups and renewals.
A slate of full-blown ARRL-sponsored forums and activities will be a
part of the League's 2005 National Convention. You'll also find ARRL staff
members and volunteers at many other Hamvention forums. A complete slate
of convention forums is available on the Dayton
Hamvention Web site.
An ARRL Wouff Hong ceremony is set for Saturday, May 21, 10:30 PM, at
the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton.
ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, says he's looking forward to the 2005 National
Convention. "I've been going to our national conventions for 36 years
now, and this is going to be the best of the bunch," he predicted.
Check the ARRL
National Convention at Dayton Hamvention Web page for information
updates.
The ARRL
National Convention Guide is available on the ARRL Web site
Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The
American Radio Relay League
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