Atlanta Hamfestival

Stay Tuned! 2023 Updates Coming...

Join us in Orlando for HamCation!
February 10th-12th Booth 188 - North Hall

Thank you to everyone who turned out in support of the event. It was smaller than in years past due to several factors outside our control. Vendors that canceled in the few weeks leading up to the event cited health, economic, and staffing issues. The world will get back to “normal” and we expect 2023 to continue to present new challenges but are already working on a quality Hamfest. Stay tuned as we release details. We continue to work to ensure we attract quality exhibitors and vendors. Your suggestions, comments on what you did or did not like, and ideas are always welcome. Contact us at [email protected]

The boneyard was considered by some to be a little lighter than usual, but many commented there were plenty of cool things for sale at good prices.
The forums, exhibits, prize drawings, and the antenna builds were held in a new, spacious air conditioned 30,000-square-foot building at the park.
Two new Atlanta Hamfest awards were awarded during the ARRL forum:
- 2022 Club of the Year: Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society (GARS)
- 2022 Educator of the Year: Ralph Pickwick, KJ4CNC

Both awardees received really nice plaques. Congratulations, GARS and Ralph

The forums were well attended and we received positive feedback on all of them:
- New Hams, presented by Jim Reed, N4BFR and the American Radio Club
- ARRL News and Views, presented by Mickey Baker, N4MB, ARRL Southeast Director, David Benoist, AG4ZR , ARRL GA Section Manage and other ARRL volunteers from the Georgia Section
- Georgia Auxcomm, presented by Joe Domaleski, KI4ASK
- Radio Astronomy, presented by Tom Crowley, KT4XN
- All about Winlink, presented by Richard Spencer, WD4NFT
- POTA/SOTA Panel, led by Richard Dervan, N1RBD
There were 2 antenna builds. Participants left with nice, tested antennas they built themselves
- HF Dipole Antenna Build led by Bill Perkins, KB4KFT
- End “Fedz” Antenna Build led by Skip Kazmarek K4EAK

VE’s from the Laurel VEC, led by Lane Watts, KB4KHQ gave exams to more than 20 people and welcomed new techs into the hobby, new generals who’d upgraded from tech and new extras who’d upgraded from general. The tests were free.
The GARS Antenna Launcher contest was fun. It was run by Earl Whatley, AF4FG (Leader) and Dallas Mellichamp, N4DDN. The winner was:
- Jason Kitchens, KV4TE from Villa Rica who won a $50 gift certificate from The Wireman
The New Hams Q&A table, manned by Marc Lullkin, K9TOE and his wife, Courtney had several hotspots on display. They answered questions hams had after the New Hams Forum.
There was a relaxing vendor and volunteer lounge hosted by Susan Gaito, KC0CSG
Door prizes were awarded during the day. The winners were:
- Icom 31A UHF D-STAR HT: Lew Nyman, K1AZE, Montgomery, AL
- Icom 4100A VHF/UHF D-Star Mobile: Walt Maxwell, KR4HV, Williamson, GA
- Icom 7300 HF/50 MHz Transceiver: Tommy Amely, KO4AIF, Warner Robins, GA

Thanks go out to the volunteers from The Atlanta Radio Club (ARC), the Kennehoochee Amateur Radio Club (KARC), and the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society (GARS). They worked tirelessly behind the scenes and in public to make the hamfest happen.

[Webmaster's Note: We also owe thanks to our ARC President, John Talipsky Jr, N3ACK. As Hamfest Chairman, he planned, organized and executed (along with the volunteers) the hamfest — our first one in three years. John also attended regional hamfests over the past two years and handed out flyers for our hamfest. Thanks, John.]