05/19/2023

by Mark H. Derks, KC1RVQ, ARRL Acquisitions Editor

The day before Dayton Hamvention[1]¿ 2023, and already antennas porcupine cars
at the University of Dayton Marriott. Cardstock "No Parking" signs issued by
the Xenia, Ohio, police department top blonde stakes on the approach to the
vendor parking at the Greene County Fairgrounds, a signal about the number of
ham radio operators about to descend.

The annual Hamvention runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 19 - 21. All
throughout the Dayton metro area is the buzz of anticipation as hotels,
restaurants, and stores, prepare for thousands to arrive.

On Thursday, our team of ARRL staff have arrived early for setup. At the
fairground gate, a young man sprawls in a golf cart, staring at his phone. He
spots the red vendor tag dangling from our vehicle's rearview mirror and waves
us in. RVs and campers form rows beside the entrance. A vehicle near the front
sports an automatic, retractable mast, half extended so it zigzags into the
sky.

We pull up behind Building 2, Tesla, and debark into a beautiful mid-May
afternoon. The temperature's tilting toward summer but hasn't quite put on its
heat yet. Hardly a cloud spots the sky. Vendors in blue jeans and t-shirts
scuff in and out of the building through double-wide doors.

Inside, Tesla hums. More than a dozen ARRL staff and member-volunteers are
unpacking boxes of books, mugs, apparel, handouts, signs, and what seems like a
hundred other things that will make up the large ARRL Expo[2] space -- homebase
for ARRL's participation at Hamvention. A quick tour illustrates the variety of
expertise and volunteer spirit that are sure to make Hamvention a success. ARRL
RFI Engineer Steve Anderson, W1EMI, plugs a handheld into the test equipment at
the ARRL Laboratory booth, preparing for the attendees he'll serve when the
show opens at 9 AM on Friday. Director of Marketing and Innovation Bob
Inderbitzen, NQ1R, scribbles lunch orders on a hunk of cardboard. Assistant
Member Services Manager Kim McNeil, KM1IPA, and Retail Sales and Marketing
Assistant Manager Jackie Ferreira, KB1PWB, arrange books and place signs.
Someone irons the packing wrinkles from t-shirts and an American flag.

And then everything stops. People working in the booth put down their wares and
circle around a duck in a wagon. ARRL member Junie Cassone, N1DUC, has arrived
with Mochi the duck. She makes introductions, and a few bold folks gently
stroke Mochi's back. A companion of Junie's offers Mochi water from a Styrofoam
cup. Mochi laps a few drops and tilts up his bill to swallow. Sure, Hamvention
includes a rich program of forums and great exhibits -- but also a lot fun and
unexpected surprises.

The sound of an electronic keyer bursts over the little gathering. People laugh
and disperse. There's still much to do to prepare for tomorrow's crowds. At
booths all around, tablecloths spread, and vendors toss jokes between them.
Familiar faces come and go.

There's little time and much to do. Hamvention is tomorrow!

[Follow ARRL's photo album from 2023 Dayton Hamvention at
https://tinyurl.com/ARRL-at-2023-Hamvention[3].]

[1] https://hamvention.org/
[2] http://www.arrl.org/expo
[3] https://tinyurl.com/ARRL-at-2023-Hamvention

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