Aurora, IL June 27, 2013 – The summer fun just keeps on coming! Right on the heels of a very successful ARRL Field Day event, the Fox River Radio League will host its annual Hamfest on July 14th, 2013 at Aurora Central Catholic High School, Aurora, IL. Doors open to the public at 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. and the morning will offer opportunities to shop, learn, and enjoy the company of fellow hams. The highlights this year also include hourly door prizes, on-site food, handicap accessibility, and free parking. Grand prizes of $250, $150 and $50 will be awarded after the last raffle drawing of the day.
As always, Hamfest will feature an indoor vendor area as well as the outdoor flea market. Confirmed vendors as of June include Amateur Accessories, Dit and Dash, RF Adapter Guy, American Science and Surplus, and Gold Medal Ideas. The main floor will also host a number of radio-related organizations, including ARRL, ARISS, ARES, and the National Weather Service. The annual indoor-outdoor flea market is usually a popular attraction with “goodies” for more than just radio operators. Electronics and computer enthusiasts will find items for sale such as new and used radio, computer, and electronics equipment.
Informational seminars will begin at 9 a.m. Topics this year include preparing for the FCC licensing tests, a primer on working with the QSL bureau, tower and antenna maintenance, and more. The public is welcome to browse the on-site flea market, visit the festival vendor area, and attend “How To” seminars. Tickets are available at the gate for $8.00 per person and children under 16 are free. Further information and maps are also available on the Fox River Radio League website at http://www.frrl.org/hamfest or by email at Hamfest@frrl.org.
For individuals wishing to qualify for their own FCC Amateur Radio license, or for operators wishing to upgrade, a VEC exam session will be available from 10:00 am until the end of the festival. For more information, about testing or preparing for the FCC exams go to http://www.frrl.org/ve-testing.
Aurora Central is located on the northeast corner of North Edgelawn Drive and West Indian Trail Road, between Orchard and Randall at 1255 N. Edgelawn Dr. Talk-in will also be available via the FRRL 2-meter repeater, W9CEQ, on frequency 147.210. (The repeater uses a standard offset +600 kHz and a 103.5 Hz CTCSS tone.)
The Fox River Radio League is an ARRL Special Service Amateur Radio club serving the central Fox River Valley area. The club offers training for new hams, conducts bimonthly VE test sessions, holds an annual hamfest, and participates in many local public service events. For more information on the club or this year’s Hamfest, visit the website at www.frrl.org.