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ARRL National Convention in Dayton to Feature Forums, Faces

NEWINGTON, CT, Mar 4, 2005--A slate of at least 10 ARRL-sponsored forums and activities will highlight the League's 2005 National Convention, held in conjunction with Dayton Hamvention Friday through Sunday, May 20-22. Even more are in the planning stages. In addition, ARRL EXPO 2005--a special area at Hara Arena where visitors can learn what the League means to Amateur Radio--will offer an opportunity to meet ARRL publication authors, view software demonstrations, find out more about DXCC, ARES, clubs and mentoring, the ARRL Education and Technology Program, youth activities, amateur licensing, product review testing, RFI, BPL and much more. ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, now deeply engaged in planning activities, is eager to spread the enthusiasm about this year's ARRL National convention.

"The level of excitement for the 2005 ARRL National Convention is contagious," Inderbitzen said. "Dayton Hamvention has really rolled out the red carpet for ARRL, preparing the way for a top-notch show, and ARRL staffers and volunteers are pulling together loads of exhibits, displays and presentations."

The lion's share of ARRL's National Convention activity will take place at ARRL EXPO 2005 in the "Ballarena" at Hara Arena. Inderbitzen says visitors should come prepared not just to learn or be informed but to have some fun.

Cover of the Rolling Stone? Well, how about cover of the QST? Visitors dropping by ARRL EXPO 2005 can have their photo 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.

ARRL National Convention Forums

ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, will moderate the ARRL Grassroots Lobbying Forum, Friday, May 20, 9-10 AM, in Room 2. Here's a chance to network with fellow hams involved in shaping Amateur Radio's future in the arena of federal government planning and policy. Grassroots efforts put hams directly in touch with government officials when federal legislation is proposed that can affect Amateur Radio. This forum will give you the tools you need to support helpful legislation or to fight proposals that might hurt the hobby.

Dayton Hamvention typically attracts upward of 25,000 visitors from around the world.

ARRL Club and Mentoring Coordinator Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, will host the ARRL Clubs and Mentoring Forum, Friday, May 20, 9-10 AM, in Room 4. Learn some fresh and exciting ways to make your radio club a hub of activity, with a special emphasis on exploring the role of clubs in mentoring and instruction. Remember who helped you get started in Amateur Radio? This forum will feature fascinating and fun approaches on how you can return the favor, by coaching--or "Elmering"--new and prospective radio amateurs.

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, steps up to the mike to present "ARRL Goes to Washington For You," Friday, May 20, 10:15 AM-11:15 AM, in Room 2. Find out how the League's Washington activities might affect your Amateur Radio. And, if you haven't done so already, meet and discuss your concerns with the League's president.

The forum Amateur Radio and The Law, "Getting it Up and Keeping it UP," is set for Friday, 12:45-2:15 PM, in Room 3. Led by Amateur Radio attorneys, the discussion will cover legal issues of interest to hams: How to avoid restrictive covenants, how to present your case for a tower permit and information on recent court decisions on RFI, PRB-1 and antenna support structures. The forum also will focus on homeland security issues and how Amateur Radio can play a critical support role. Participants will include ARRL Volunteer Counsel Jim O'Connell, W9WU; ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD; ARRL Volunteer Counsel and Author Fred Hopengarten, K1VR; IARU Vice President and Attorney Tim Ellam, VE6SH; and ARRL Dakota Division Director and Attorney Jay Bellows, K0QB.

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, answers questions during the ARRL forum at Dayton Hamvention 2004.

The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Forum is Friday, May 20, 2:30 PM-3:45 PM, in Room 3. The moderator is ARRL Public Service Team Manager Steve Ewald, WV1X.

Well-known DXer and contester Tim Duffy, K3LR, will share the podium with ARRL antenna expert and ARRL Antenna Book editor Dean Straw, N6BV, for the Antenna Technology Forum, Friday, May 20, 2:45 PM-5 PM, in Room 1. Straw will discuss "Strategies Using Propagation Predictions for DXing and Contesting."

"What's Your Buzz in Amateur Radio?" Find out or offer your own favorites Saturday, May 21, 8:15-9:30 AM, in Room 3. President Haynie and members of the ARRL Board of Directors will be your hosts. The focus will be on how ARRL works for what you enjoy most in Amateur Radio.

The popular ARRL Public Relations Forum takes place Sunday, May 22, 8:30 AM-10:00 AM, in Room 1. The moderator is the ARRL's Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP. Here's the scenario you'll confront: Your local electric company is going to test BPL in your area, and the news reporter thinks it's all just wonderful. What do you do? Highlighting the ARRL PR Forum will be an interactive panel discussion with some of the most passionate public relations people involved in keeping the truth about interference issues a central topic in the media coverage on BPL.

The ARRL Technology Task Force Forum is Sunday, 10:15 AM-12 Noon, in Room 1. ARRL Central Division Vice Director Howard Huntington, K9KM, will moderate.

Steve Ewald, WV1X will moderate the ARRL Section Managers and Section Leaders Forum, Sunday, May 22, 10:15 AM-11:15 AM, in Room 4.

(L-R) ARRL Ohio SM Joe Phillips, K8QOE, ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, N3KN, and ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, at an earlier Dayton Hamvention. Phillips is organizing a Wouff Hong ceremony to be held in conjunction with the ARRL National Convention.

You'll also find ARRL staff members and volunteers at many other Hamvention forums. Sessions organized by individuals working directly with Dayton Hamvention include: Teacher's Workshop with Carole Perry, WB2MGP, and Youth in Amateur Radio Program; DXing and Contesting forums and more! A complete slate of convention forums is available on the Dayton Hamvention Web site.

But Wait! There's More!

In addition to the various forums and presentations, ARRL Ohio Section Manger Joe Phillips, K8QOE, is organizing an ARRL Wouff Hong ceremony. Steeped in ritual and mystery, this ceremony also promises to be great fun. Attendees receive a special keepsake. The Wouff Hong ceremony takes place Saturday, May 21, at 10:30 PM, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton.

No one can pass up the fresh-grilled burgers available in the Dayton Hamvention flea market area

The National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers (NARTE) will be attending Hamvention as guests of the ARRL National Convention. ARRL and NARTE have a Memorandum of Understanding to support mutually beneficial programs and activities. NARTE representatives will be on hand at the ARRL exhibit and will provide FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) examinations to interested applicants. The testing fee, not included in the Hamvention admission price, is $40. Register or get more information from the NARTE Web site or by calling NARTE toll-free at 800-89-NARTE (800-896-2783).

The main arena in the Hara Arena complex is always a busy place and a popular gathering spot for Hamventioneers.

ARRL EXPO 2005 visitors will be able to pick up a free "ARRL Passport," which they can exchange for a 2005 ARRL National Convention keepsake when making qualifying purchases from participating retailers at Hamvention.

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 Hamvention, where socializing is a big part of the fun.

Check the ARRL National Convention at Dayton Hamvention Web page for future information updates.

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