05/08/2026
Hamvention¿ 2026 is just over a week away, and the world's largest in-person
amateur radio gathering promises another three-day weekend of total immersion in
all things ham radio. According to the Dayton Amateur Radio Association, more
than 30,000 people are expected to descend on the Greene County Fair and Expo
Center in Xenia, Ohio, on May 15-17. Attendees will discover the latest and
greatest in ham radio equipment and technology from more than 500 indoor
exhibitors, learn about virtually all aspects of our hobby at nearly 60 forums,
and scour the 2,500-space outdoor flea market for bargains and hard-to-find
accessories.
The theme of this year's Hamvention is "Radio Adventure," which is reflected in
many of the forum topics, including Summits and Parks on the Air¿, high-altitude
ballooning, and DXpeditions to remote locations. There is also a youth focus,
with the annual Radio Club of America youth forum, booths on radio scouting,
Youth DX Adventure and Youth on the Air (YOTA), as well as the ARRL Youth
Rally[1] on Saturday afternoon - which includes a hidden transmitter hunt,
handheld radio sprint, and the chance to contact a parachute-mobile station.
ARRL's large exhibit area will serve as a hub for attendees, including free
handheld radio testing for spurious emissions by the ARRL Lab, opportunities to
meet the organization's leaders and program representatives, and author
book-signings. Students representing the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio
Program[2] (CARP) will be on hand to showcase amateur radio at their schools.
Other ARRL booths will highlight major 2026 activities including the Year of the
Club, the Worked All States America250 award, and Field Day. A comprehensive
listing of ARRL activities at Hamvention is available.
Beyond the fairgrounds, the Xenia-area ham radio adventure stretches into a
nearly week-long series of events, including Four Days in May for low-power
(QRP) enthusiasts, and Contest University, before Hamvention begins; dinners and
evening gatherings for DXers, contesters, and various interest groups; and a
3-day AUXCOMM class for emergency communicators the following week. Plus, if
you're in the area and not sure about attending Hamvention, admission on Sunday
is free!
Hamvention spokesman Michael Kalter, W8CI, says the event - which dates back to
1952 - is "a living, breathing community - part festival, part classroom, part
marketplace, and part reunion (where) visitors from across North America and
around the world gather each year ... transforming a quiet Ohio city into the
international capital of amateur radio for one unforgettable weekend."
More information and tickets are available on the Hamvention website[3]. The
free ARRL Events app, produced in partnership with Hamvention, is available to
navigate the complete program, exhibits, and prize drawings. Download the app at
www.tripbuildermedia.com/apps/arrl[4] or use the web version[5].
[1] https://pci.jotform.com/form/260975827202158
[2] https://www.arrl.org/collegiate-amateur-radio?utm_source=Informz&utm_med
ium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL&_zs=SQvQm&_zl=NGel3
[3] https://hamvention.org
[4] https://apps.apple.com/us/app/arrl-events/id1456131489
[5] https://www.tripbuilder.net/html5/arrl/multi_home.php
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