Alamogordo Hamfest Turns 40 This September

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The Alamogordo Amateur Radio Club is celebrating a big milestone — their 40th Annual Hamfest — and they're doing it right. The ARRL-sanctioned event takes place on 5 September 2026, at the Otero County Fairgrounds in Alamogordo, NM, running from 7am to roughly 3pm.

Best part? Admission is free.

The prize lineup this year is seriously worth showing up for: first place takes home a Yaesu FT-710 AESS, second gets a Xiegu G90 and accessories, third a Mini 1.3 OLED Zumspot, and fourth a DM-30TR. Prize drawing tickets are $8 if postmarked before 29 August (and early birds are eligible for a $50 cash pre-registration prize), or $10 at the door.

Vendors can set up the day before from 3–7pm. Tables run $15, or $6 if you bring your own. Electrical is available at most spots.

ARRL license testing (Tech, General, and Extra) kicks off around 9am — bring a photo ID and your FRN.

RVs are welcome, parking is plentiful, and there's a dump station on site. The club is also looking for presenters, so if you've got something to share with the community, reach out.

To pre-register or get the latest updates, visit www.qsl.net/k5lrw/hamfest.htm or contact Hamfest Chair Rusty KI5RUS at rjaskolo@gmail.com

630M at Dayton Hamvention

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This year there will be a 630-meter forum entitled "Introduction to 630-Meter Operation," moderated by Paul Dobosz, K8PD, who has designed the Lowdown antenna and many of the products we offer for the 630-meter band.  As a result of Paul's recent article in the February 2026 issue of QST Magazine there's heightened interest in operating on the band.

The forum is tentatively scheduled for Saturday afternoon. If you are planning to be at Hamvention, we hope you will attend the forum.  Paul is looking for one or two active 630-meter operators who would be willing to share their experience on the band with the attendees.  Please let Paul know if you're planning to be at Hamvention this year and if you plan to be at the forum.  His contact info is below.

While you're at Hamvention, be sure to stop by Booth 1002 in the Maxim (Building 1) to learn about the Amateur Radio and Travelers Information Station products we offer and chat with us.

Paul Dobozs can be contacted at 8pdpaul@gmail.com

Thanks for Listener Bill Baker for forwarding this item

Register Now for HamSCI 2026, Hosted by ARRL

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Register Now for HamSCI 2026, Hosted by ARRL

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® will host the 9th annual Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Workshop on 14-15th March 2026, with primary activities held at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in New Britain, Connecticut, and additional events at ARRL Headquarters in Newington. The international workshop brings together radio amateurs, scientists, educators, and students to explore how amateur radio serves as a practical tool for scientific research and citizen science.

Organised by the HamSCI community, the 2026 workshop carries the theme “Discovering Science Through Ham Radio.” Presentations and discussions will highlight real-world research enabled by amateur radio, including ionospheric and space weather studies, meteor scatter propagation, radio-based sensing technologies, and the growing use of Personal Space Weather Stations. The program emphasises how these efforts not only advance scientific understanding but also directly inform and improve amateur radio operating and technology.

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