The 2007 ARRL National Convention Is Just About Here!

ARRL is tying the ribbons on its planning for the 2007 ARRL National Convention, held in conjunction with the Huntsville Hamfest. The convention and hamfest will be held August 18-19 at the all-air-conditioned Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The event is preceded by the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference -- GAREC-07 -- held in the adjacent Embassy Suites Hotel, August 16-17.

"The ARRL National Convention will be chock-full of activities and exhibits," said ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. "The centerpiece of the convention will be ARRL EXPO -- an entire exhibit area showcasing many ARRL programs and services." A preview of what is planned for ARRL EXPO, as well as a downloadable exhibit and activities guide, can be found at the ARRL EXPO Web site.

"If you can't make it to Huntsville," Inderbitzen said, "you can still catch all the latest news on the Convention's Weblog." ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, and ARRL Web and Software Development Manager, Jon Bloom, KE3Z, will be posting news and happenings direct from the ARRL EXPO area (and beyond!) in Huntsville.

Another convention activity is ARRL Passport -- the ultimate hamfest scavenger hunt. Available to the first 2500 visitors to ARRL EXPO, the Passport opens up the possibility to win one of two terrific all-mode mobile transceivers: the Icom IC-7000 and the Yaesu FT-857D. Passport holders qualify by collecting different ARRL Passport codes at participating exhibits and activities while they enjoy the convention. Turn in your completed entry form at ARRL EXPO by Sunday at 12 noon, and you could be a winner.

"The Huntsville Hamfest Committee has organized a fantastic slate of presentations and forums. More than a dozen mini-forums will be given on the ARRL Stage, located in ARRL's big exhibit area," Inderbitzen said. A provisional list of hamfest forums can be found at the Huntsville Hamfest's Web site.

Presentations on the ARRL Stage will include an update on Broadband over Power Line (BPL) given by Ed Hare, W1RFI; suggestions for energizing young -- and potential -- hams, presented by ARRL Youth Contributing Editor and Georgia Assistant Section Manager/Youth Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM; a "how-to" session on writing for QST, presented by ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA; an introduction to ARRL Operating Awards and the ARRL QSL bureau with ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L; tips for contesting with QST Contributing Editor and ARRL author Ward Silver, N0AX, and an overview of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) presented by Rob Suggs, KB5EZ, NASA Space Environments Team Lead from the Marshall Space Flight Center. A schedule and a complete list of ARRL Stage presentations can be found at the ARRL EXPO Web site.

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