Hamfests Worldwide
In the United States hamfests are a popular tradition; at regularly scheduled hamfests in the USA begin with an event such as a waffle breakfast, with proceeds going to the sponsoring organization or a worthy charity. Larger hamfests almost always include one or more food vendors, staffed by volunteers, with the proceeds going to a local high school or other charity.
It is not unknown for a seller to ask more for a single part from the box than for the entire box, the intent being to have less stuff when it's time to go home than the seller arrived with. Larger old items are often referred to as boat anchors with the suggestion that they are obsolete and of such low value that this is the only use left for them. Numerous jokes are based on this concept, and some sellers will tie ropes to handles, or post signs on especially large and heavy items seeking customers who own aircraft carriers. Regular attendees often visit their first hamfest in search of some piece of equipment, but end up returning due to the social aspect.
In the current century, the Internet has come to be used to advertise and sell ham radio equipment, downgrading the sales of useful used equipment at all hamfests. Thus, hamfests' social aspects have become more of a reason to attend as well as to learn from the numerous lecturers and forums. Door prizes and raffles also occur. Also, inspection of the vast array of commercially made new radio equipment (conviently available in one place) and the extensive inclusion of computers and computer parts and software for sale rise in importance at these events.
The Dayton Hamvention is generally considered to be the largest hamfest in North America. It is held each May at the Hara Arena in Trotwood, Ohio near Dayton. The Hamvention offers forums, exhibit space and a flea market and usually claims to have over 20,000 visitors (verified by the ARRL). Many amateur radio enthusiasts go out of their way to attend the Hamvention, travelling from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico and various parts of the world and even as far as Australia, Japan and Russia.
The Shelby Hamfest, hosting 8,000 to 12,000 visitors per year is perhaps the second largest hamfest in the United States, and claims to be the largest in the Southeast. Rising stars of Hamfests are the annual event in Orlando, Florida (often coupled with a family vacation) and the one in the Dallas area (lately held in the city of Plano). Hamfests can also be as small as a few hundred local attendees.
The largest hamfest in New England is the New England Amateur Radio Festival, commonly known as NEAR-Fest, which is held twice a year at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield, New Hampshire. Deerfield is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) east of Manchester on Route 43. The next NEAR-Fest (XI) is scheduled for May 4th and 5th 2012.
Two of the largest Hamfests in Canada are HAM-EX, held by the Peel Amateur Radio Club (PeelARC) and the Mississauga Amateur Radio Club (MARC), once a year at the Brampton Fall Fairgrounds just north of Brampton, Ontario, and the York Region Amateur Radio Club (YRARC), once a year at the Markham Fairgrounds just north of Markham, Ontario. Both of these Hamfests typically attract over a thousand visitors each year. Many smaller Hamfests are also held in every province across Canada each year. A full listing of Canadian Hamfests can be found on the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) website.
In Western Australia, the biggest Hamfest is run by the Northern Corridor Radio Group. They held their first few at the former Carine TAFE College site. Following its closure their hamfests have been held in Bassendean, a suburb of Perth. 2007 saw a demonstration of military radio equipment and a demonstration of a tesla coil. These were in addition to the "bring and buy" tables and stands for various retailers and groups.
The International Exhibition for Radio Amateurs known as HAM RADIO in Friedrichshafen, Germany, is Europe's largest and most well-known hamfest, which includes a trade show and "youth days". The first HAM RADIO took place in 1976 with 62 exhibitors.
In India Hamfest has been popular since 1991. In 2009 it was held in Bangalore, along with Golden Jubilee celebrations of Bangalore Amateur Radio Club VU2ARC Two ham conventions, with mostly forums, were held by the National Institute of Amateur Radio in Hyderabad in recent years which uniquely coupled the events with major DXpeditions, allowing foreign hams to operate from the rare locales of Andaman I and Lakshadweep I.
Japan, the primary source for new commercially made ham equipment, hosts at least one large annual hamfest with world-wide attendees.
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