[MAMS] Huntsville Hamfest

[Zack Widup]

Date: 18 June 2025

*COME ON DOWN AND JOIN THE FUN!*

To Weak Signal Operators and their Friends,

                The Huntsville Hamfest (https://hamfest.org/) is just
around the corner with the date rapidly approaching.  This year the hamfest
will be held on Aug. 16 and 17, Saturday and Sunday.  This hamfest is not
devoted to the weak signal operators and isn’t devoted to that particular
aspect of the hobby, but with a growing community of microwave operators,
this is becoming a significant aspect of the hamfest.  The weak signal
forum and operating events are not intended to become another
VHF/UHF/Microwave conference but to provide functions that are of interest
to this specific group of hams to enhance your hamfest enjoyment.  Not only
will you have the opportunity to visit and operates with your compatriots
of this unique aspect of the hobby, but you will also get to participate in
and enjoy a great hamfest with a huge flea market, all of the major ham
radio dealers, and plenty of interesting forums all in air conditioned
comfort.

                To make this gathering even better, we will build on the
previous year’s successful VHF/UHF/Microwave venue with an added feature to
assist those microwave contest operators increase their score count even
more for the 10 GHz & Up contest.  Last year at the hamfest, the agenda
seemed to hit a winning note.  To summarize, on Friday evening the
VHF/UHF/Microwave crowd met at a local restaurant for a “Meet & Greet “
dinner to enjoy the food and visit with old acquaintances and make new ones
with a common interest.  On Saturday morning the hamfest officially kicks
off, and on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., a portion of the forum schedule
will be devoted to the weak signal operators for two hours of forums.  As
these presentations take place, several volunteers will bring microwave
test equipment (signal generators, spectrum analyzers, power meters,
frequency counters, etc.) set up in the back of the forum room to assist
those with equipment to verify their equipment performance.  Last year we
were able to get at least two stations on the air that were previously
having problems.  At 4 p.m., the hamfest holds their prize drawing, so all
events are suspended for the drawing.

                At the conclusion of the drawing, participating operators
will be invited to cross the street from the hamfest to the parking deck
where multiple operators will set up on 10 GHz to operate the 10 GHz & Up
contest that coincides with the hamfest.  Once everyone has worked all of
the other participating stations, most of the crew will adjourn to one of
our fine German restaurants for more food and fellowship.

                This year’s plan is to follow the same script as last year
but with an added feature.  Since most of those who participated in the
contest operating stay overnight on Saturday, the additional feature is to
position operators on Sunday at locations approximately every 10 miles
along the departing routes leaving the hamfest.  This will allow stations
making their way home to work those along the departing routes from their
hamfest sites, drive in that direction for 10+ miles to work them again,
and the continue along the route home stopping to work these stations again
every 10+ miles for as long as they can communicate.  This should really
boost the score of stations wanting to enter in the 10 GHz & Up contest.

                This is a preliminary notice so you can arrange your
schedule to join us. It’s something like a mini-conference and operating
event except there are no fees other than the hamfest admission.  More
details will follow, but everyone is invited to join in.

Regards…..Ben/K4QF