Dayton, 2005

Armond Noble, N6WR

Ka-Pow! It’s the excitement of the biggest gathering of Amateur Radio operators in the world.

And attendees come from all over the world. This is where your adrenaline goes up and your bank balance goes down.

Anyone who actually walks throughout the entire, massive, flea market gets enough exercise for the month.

For well over 50 years Hams have gathered in Dayton, Ohio, at this annual jamboree.

The camaraderie that Amateur Radio is noted for is evident at the hospitality rooms and dinners for: Contesters, DXers, QCWA, VHFers, TV and Satellite buffs, and others.

From Friday, 20 May to Sunday, 22 May 2005, it was a jam-packed (people and events) carnival.

Hundreds of exhibitors displayed their wares and attendees could see, up-close, the latest in transceivers, amplifiers, antennas and accessories.

The remarkable part of this party is that it was entirely produced by volunteers! Yes, entertaining 20,411 people was accomplished by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association which was also celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Just try to imagine all the work of contacting potential forum speakers and coordinating the times. What a job!

Something for everyone. Starting at 9:00 a.m. Friday you could choose from: APRS, Digital, Collins restoration, YLRL, VHF Yagi, QRP, Kit building, Teacher’s workshop, AM, Lightning protection, Antenna design, Tropo ducting, AR and the law, ARES, 10-10, Operating, Baluns, Fighting BPL, County Hunters, Emergency communication, AMSAT, FCC, ATV, SSTV, Software, Drake, Youth in AR, VHF/UHF Microwave, HF Vertical Antennas, MIDCARS, Newsline, MARS, Fox Hunting, SATERN, Hidden Antennas, Bicycle Mobile, Battleship New Jersey, Skywarn and the multi-hour DX and Contesting forums.

And then the American Radio Relay League put on a true extravaganza. A great number of HQ staff and officers were on hand.

The humorous Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, delivered a talk titled, “The Most Fun You Can Have With Rocks”, it was about bouncing signals off meteors. The ever-popular Dean Straw, N6BV, opined about propagation predictions.

League president Jim Haynie, W5JBP, spoke, and listened to members. Youth activities, emergency communication, DXCC card checking, license exams, special events station, PR, and a whole lot more were ARRL activities at Dayton.

The future dates are 19-20-21 May 2006 and 18-19-20 May 2007. See you there!