Rod, NJ is still a mess with the vax but spots are opening up. It’s still very much hunger games here. I can see us getting somewhat back to normal by summer although at work we are now permanent WFH. But I look forward to going back to hamfests. It’s a very good sign and I am hoping Huntsville is a go. My fan club is waiting and promised me the VIP tour... and my friend and fellow YouTuber DixieDX W4DXY should be there. Fun! 73 Ria N2RJ On Sat, Feb 6, 2021 at 6:05 PM Rod Stafford <w6rod@comcast.net> wrote:
Mickey,
Attending a major ham radio convention in August is very interesting to me. Assuming vaccination rollout continues to improve I would seriously make the effort to be there.
73, Rod
Amateur Radio W6ROD ARRL Int’l Affairs Vice President
On Feb 6, 2021, at 9:24 AM, Mickey Baker <fishflorida@gmail.com> wrote:
Who’s coming?
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Mark Brown <mark.n4bcd@yahoo.com> Date: Sat, Feb 6, 2021 at 10:38 AM Subject: Convention status for Huntsville Hamfest To: Mickey Baker <fishflorida@gmail.com>
Hi Mickey, you've probably heard the news that Huntsville Hamfest will be hosting the SE Division convention. Privately: Some encouraging news from a meeting at Von Braun Center last Wednesday. In short, the draconian rules that were in place last year have moderated to the point where it’s feasible to host our event.
Mask mandate for everyone. Aisles 12’ minimum (we had 8 & 10’ so we’ll have to adjust) Aisle traffic can be bi-directional. Entry & exit doors can be dual-use. The venue is still at 50% capacity but they gave us South Hall 2 for free so it brings our visitor limit up to where we can make it work. No extra insurance requirements except for the standard million dollar liability coverage.
My feeling at the moment is that the positives: Hamcom (Plano TX) event closed permanently last year pent-up demand - the last nationwide event was Orlando in Feb 2020 vaccine roll-out by August should be well underway weighed against the negatives: some vendors are prohibited to travel until 2022 some people will stay home out of fear / caution
.... we should have a successful and safe event.
When I looked at our website the other day with fresh eyes, I was dismayed to see we still have Greg W4OZK's photo on the home page. With your help I'd like to fix that. Can you send me a photo of you - preferably beside other league people at some ham function?
Thanks & 73, Mark
----- Forwarded Message ----- *From:* Ewald, Steve, WV1X <wv1x@arrl.org> *To:* mark.n4bcd@yahoo.com <mark.n4bcd@yahoo.com> *Sent:* Friday, February 5, 2021, 11:19:27 AM CST *Subject:* Convention status for Huntsville Hamfest
Hello, Mark.
Thank you for writing. I am pleased to report that Director Mickey Baker, N4MB, has approved ARRL Southeastern Division Convention status for the Huntsville Hamfest on August 21 – 22, 2021.
Please note that Eric Casey, KC2ERC, is no longer on the ARRL Headquarters staff. I have just now been assigned to help handle the coordination responsibilities related to ARRL hamfests and conventions, and I am beginning to learn about the various procedures involved with the this program.
Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, is helping me to learn more about the details of this program, and Bob asked me to pass along his “hello” to you.
Now that your convention status has been approved, one of the next steps that we would like to take is to post the Huntsville Hamfest as the Southeastern Division Convention on the ARRL Hamfest & Convention Calendar. http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/search
While looking over your application, I noticed that the URL for the Huntsville Hamfest is not listed yet. Would you prefer that I wait until I receive the URL from you before posting the event on the ARRL Web page? I look forward to working with you.
Best wishes to you and everyone with the Huntsville Hamfest as planning continues for the convention this coming August.
73,
Steve Ewald, WV1X
Supervisor, Field Organization Team
*ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio®*
860-594-0265
sewald@arrl.org
=====================================
*From:* Mark Brown <mark.n4bcd@yahoo.com> *Sent:* Thursday, February 4, 2021 3:29 PM *To:* Casey, Eric KC2ERC <ecasey@arrl.org> *Subject:* Fw: Southeastern Division Hamfest Application
Hi Eric. Just to fill you in... we met with the Von Braun Center this week and grew more confident that we'll be able to host this. Any timeline on a decision of whether we'll be a Division or State level event?
Thanks & 73,
Mark N4BCD
Huntsville Hamfest Chairman
----- Forwarded Message -----
*From:* "ecasey@arrl.org" <ecasey@arrl.org>
*To:* "mark.n4bcd@yahoo.com" <mark.n4bcd@yahoo.com>
*Sent:* Wednesday, January 27, 2021, 04:36:03 PM CST
*Subject:* Southeastern Division Hamfest Application
=== Your ARRL Hamfest/Convention Application ===
ARRL Division: Southeastern
Event Type: Division Convention
Event Name: Huntsville Hamfest
Event Date: August 21, 22, 2021
Event Time: Saturday 9 AM — 4:30 PM, Sunday 9 AM — 3 PM
Event City: Huntsville
Event State: AL
Event Sponsor(s): Huntsville Hamfest Inc
Event Facility: Von Braun Center
Event Facility Address: 700 Monroe St SW <https://www.google.com/maps/search/700+Monroe+St+SW?entry=gmail&source=g>
Special Features of Event: D, F, H, Q, R, S, V, OTHER
Other Features (optional): Youth Lounge
Exams being given: Exams NOT Sponsored by ARRL
Talk-In Freq: 146.94 100 Hz
Advance admission fee: $10, Children aged 12 and under Free
At-door admission fee: $10, Children aged 12 and under Free
Table fee: $40. Does not include admission.
Event Web URL: http://
Public contact name: Mark Brown
Public contact call sign: N4BCD
Public contact address: 146 Smith Mill Rd <https://www.google.com/maps/search/146+Smith+Mill+Rd+Fayetteville,+TN+37334-6839?entry=gmail&source=g> Fayetteville, TN 37334-6839 <https://www.google.com/maps/search/146+Smith+Mill+Rd+Fayetteville,+TN+37334-6839?entry=gmail&source=g>
Public contact phone: 2565038887
Public contact fax:
Public contact email: mark.n4bcd@yahoo.com
Chairman name: Mark Brown
Chairman call sign: N4BCD
Chairman address: 146 Smith Mill Rd <https://www.google.com/maps/search/146+Smith+Mill+Rd+Fayetteville,+TN+37334-6839?entry=gmail&source=g> Fayetteville, TN 37334-6839 <https://www.google.com/maps/search/146+Smith+Mill+Rd+Fayetteville,+TN+37334-6839?entry=gmail&source=g>
Chairman phone (day): 2565038887
Chairman phone (eve): 2565038887
Chairman email: mark.n4bcd@yahoo.com
Funds available: n/a
Funding source(s): prior year break-evens
Anticipated attendance: 5000
Profit disposition: door prizes and non-profit clubs for providing volunteers
Form submitter name: Mark Brown
Form submitter call sign: N4BCD
Form submitter email: mark.n4bcd@yahoo.com
Date/Time submitted: 27-Jan-2021 2236Z
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