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ARRL Alabama Section Convention

Prizes, Vendors, Flea Market, Forums, Testing, and Lots More!


Date and Time
Saturday and Sunday, March 2 - 3, 2013 
Doors open at 9:00 AM each day; Hamfest ends at 5:00 PM on Saturday and 2:00 PM on Sunday.
Admission
A BARC Hamfest button is $8.00 per person and required for admission
Each button includes one prize ticket.
Children under 12 are free.
License Exams
Amateur radio license exams will be given at 9:00 AM and 1 PM on Saturday and 9:00 AM on Sunday.
For more information contact Joe Ford, K4NVJ@arrl.net (205) 668-6853.
Dealer Information
Dealer Set-up is scheduled for Friday, from 12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM; Saturday from 7:00 AM until 8:45 AM; Sunday from 7:00 AM until 8:45 AM.
The back door (Vendor entrance) Closes at 7:50 AM each day.
A form to reserve inside tables is available HERE.
The Club will have volunteers available to help dealers move their Setups to the Display Floor.
For more information, contact Ken Adkisson, Sr., WB4FAY; ken@wb4fay.com (205) 960-1647.
Prize Tickets

$1 -- 1 ticket
$5 -- 6 tickets
$10 -- 15 tickets
$20 or more -- 2 tickets per dollar (best value!!)


Main Prize: Elecraft KX3, 2nd Prize: Yaesu 817ND
and many hourly prizes including an MFJ-259B Antenna analyzer,
a MFJ-929 Automatic Antenna Tuner, and a Yaesu FT-1900.

Forums

Saturday Forums

09:00 AM - VE Testing (Joe Ford-K4NVJ)
09:00 AM - Alabama Repeater Council (David Drummond-W4MD)
09:30 AM – Satellite Communications (Tim Cunningham-N8DEU)
10:00 AM – D-Star (Not Confirmed)
10:00 AM - Bell Ringers (John Drum-W4BXI)
10:00 AM - ALERT/Skywarn (Steven Moss, KB4FKN)
11:00 AM - ARES/AL Section (J-van Martin, W4JVM)
11:00 AM – Propagation I (Carl Luetzelschwab-K9LA) (ARRL Representative)
Solar and Sunspot Cycle Topics - K9LA will review Cycles 1 through 23, and the recent (and long) solar
minimum. He will discuss the status of Cycle 24, and take a broad look at Cycle 25 and beyond.
12:00 PM - Fox Hunting with live demo (Lee Creuzer-N8MHC)
(Bring your own Fox Hunting Gear to Participate and win prize!)
12:00 PM - APRS (Tim Cunningham-N8DEU)
12:00 PM - Alabama Historical Radio Society (Dee Haynes-K4HFX)
12:00 PM - Why QRP (Ken Evans-W4DU)
13:00 PM - Portable QRP Ops—From Back Porch to Mountaintops (Craig Behrens-NM4T)
14:00 PM - QRP DXing—Out-Performing the Big Guns with 5 Watts (Craig Behrens-NM4T)
15:00 PM - Work More with Less Power (Rich Arland-K7SZ)
1:00 PM - Net Control Procedures, Do it Correctly (Ronnie King-WX4RON)
1:00 PM - VE Testing (Joe Ford-K4NVJ)
1:00 PM - Public Information Officers/Public Relations (Ed Tyler-N4EDT)
1:00 PM – Net Control Procedures (Ronnie King-WX4RON)
2:00 PM – Digital Operating (Tim Cunningham-N8DEU)
3:00 PM – Central Alabama Simplex Net (Ronnie King-WX4RON)
3:00 PM – Propagation II (Carl Luetzelschwab-K9LA) (ARRL Representative)
Propagation for QRP DXing - K9LA will discuss propagation in relation to DXing with low power, and
analyze WG5G's achievement of QRP DXCC Honor Roll in 1994. He will also review the use of propagation
predictions, and show how to take advantage of the Reverse Beacon Network.

Sunday Forums

09:00 AM – VE Testing (ARA Group, Jeff Drue,
09:00 AM - Central Alabama Simplex Net (Ronnie King-WX4RON)
11:00 AM – Net Control Procedures (Ronnie King-WX4RON)
12:00 PM – Fox Hunting with live Demonstration in Divan Room (#3)
(Bring your own Fox Hunting Gear to Participate and win prize!)

QRP Club House (Q&A) (Club Room) Replay recorded Forums from Saturday)

9:00 AM – Propagation I (Replay of recorded Forums from Saturday)
9:00 AM – Replay: Why DX
10:00 AM - Replay: Propagation II
10:00 AM – Replay: Why QRP
11:00 AM – Replay: Portable QRP Ops-Back Porch to Mountaintops (Craig Behrens-NM4T)
12:00 PM – Replay: QRP DXing—Out-Performing the Big Guns with 5 Watts (Craig Behrens-NM4T)
1:00 PM – Replay: Work More with Less Power (Rich Arland-K7SZ)

Note: Access to Mecca Room (# 2) and the Divan Room (# 3) is from the outside of the Arena.
Exit through the front door, turn right and then follow the signs. Note: The forum Rooms have aliases.

Room # 1 - Club Rm
Room # 2 - Mecca Rm
Room # 3 - Divan Rm
Room # 4 - Hill Billy Rm

Minor changes may be made to these forums. On Friday, March 1 check back for final schedule.
For more information, contact Bob Thomas, KC4AF@arrl.net, (205) 283-4000

As we get closer to the Hamfest Date, please check back for additional details. For more information, contact Bob Thomas, KC4AF, kc4af@arrl.net
(205) 283-4000

Directions
Hamfest is at the Zamora Shrine Temple 3521 Ratliff Road, Birmingham, AL 205-956-3636


View Larger Map

 

Additional driving information:

BirminghamFest
Zamora Shrine Temple
3521 Ratliff Road
Irondale, AL

Approaching I-459 Exit 27 from I-59/20 Exit right to Grants Mill Road.
Turn right on Grants Mill Road to Grantswood Road (short distance right turn only).
Turn right on to Grantswood road and follow it to Ratliff Road (4 way stop sign).
Turn right on Ratliff Road and watch for entrance to Zamora Shrine Temple.

Approaching I-459 Exit 27 from I/65 Exit right to Grants Mill Road.
Turn left on Grants Mill Road back across the interstate to Grantswood Road (right turn only).
Turn right on to Grantswood road and follow it to Ratliff Road (4 way stop sign).
Turn right on Ratliff Road and watch for entrance to Zamora Shrine Temple.

Contacts
Hamfest Co-Chairman are Bob Thomas, KC4AF, KC4AF@arrl.net (205) 283-4000 and Bill Davidson, KW4J, KW4J@arrl.net (205) 587-1993