UK National Hamfest 2017 - Day One Live Blog

/ Newark Showgrounds/

Welcome to the ICQ Amateur/Ham Radio Podcasts Live blog from Day One of the UK National Hamfest 2017 from Newark Showgrounds.

Our aim is to update this live blog with news and photographs of our activities at the show.

Check back throughout the day or leave this page open to get the latest updates,

196 Exhibitors Welcome HamRadio 2017 Visitors

/

After travelling from all across Europe, the USA, Japan, Qatar, China, Kuwait, India and for the first time, Djibouti – a small republic in east Africa, 196 exhibitors are presenting their innovations and services at the international amateur radio exhibition in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The Exhibitor, attending the Ham Radio 2017 from 33 countries have embraced the spirit of the show - “Die Welt zu Gast in Deutschland” – Germany welcomes the world.

“We have a 50 percent increase in exhibitor numbers. The fantasy area has grown especially dramatically.”
— Petra Rathgeber, project leader at Messe Friedrichshafen

The motto also applies to the amateur radio operators world championship that will be held in Germany in the coming year.

At the Maker Faire Bodensee, taking place alongside the Ham Radio, 100 exhibitors will present themselves and offer hobbyists and tinkerers new inspiration.

0058 HAM RADIO 2017.jpg
0025 HAM RADIO 2017.jpg

Attendance Up at Hamvention

/

This year’s Hamvention Rally saw visitor numbers increase to 29.296, making the 2017 show the most success ever.

Overcoming the challenges of relocation to the Greene County Expo Centre and Fairgrounds, the feedback from attendees has been overall positive. Helping to make the transition a success were 657 volunteers from around the world.

“Whilst there were some teething problems with the new venue, with traffic, weather and parking issues, we were able to resolve most issues before the end of the event”
— Ron Cramer, Hamvention General Chair

There appears to be good will between Greene County, Xenia Township, City of Xenia officials and the Greene County Fairgrounds and Exposition Centre Advisory Board to build upon the successful show to make following events better including possible new attractions.