Some have suggested that we come up with a theme for the 2024 Northeast HamXposition.
One person has proposed “The Amateur Radio Maker Space” or “Ham Radio Makers” or “Radio Operators and Makers.”
Are you an amateur who loves to make your own gear? Would you like to see a maker-related theme for the convention? Let us know what you think!
Several attendees have indicated that they would like more food choices while at the Convention. One question that is asked repeatedly: “Could you arrange to have food trucks in the parking lot?”
This has been a sore point of contention for many attendees. The Committee has reached out to the hotel to request permission to have a food truck but so far they have been unsuccessful in convincing the hotel to allow it. We’ll continue to explore this and other alternatives going forward.
Unlike Boxboro, however, there are food venues practically within walking distance of the convention.
The results of the 2022 survey indicated that Friday attendance was poor, in part, because people felt there was little of interest offered.
What a difference a year can make! We now officially start the outdoor flea market on Friday at 12 noon. (In previous years, it officially started on Saturday morning, even though folks showed up Friday to sell their wares.)
In addition, we’ve “beefed up” the Friday programming substantially. This year we featured a whopping six indoor workshops and talks! The big draws included the nanoVNA and MESH Node Kit Build workshops. We hope to feature even more next year.
“You should compare attendance, ticket price, etc. with other conventions. HamXposition is pretty small. Do we present a good value?”
In fact, we do present a good value. According to the chart, below, comparing pricing for the major national hamfests and conventions:
Some footnotes:
(data courtesy K1NKR)
One issue that has come up repeatedly is the overgrown foliage blocking the sign at the entrance to the Best Western Hotel entrance off Boston Post Road (U.S. 20).
We’re painfully aware of this problem and so is the hotel. Unfortunately, the trees are situated on an adjacent property over which the hotel has no control.
This year, we compounded the problem by not having a “HamXposition” sign or banner at ground level to help signal folks that they had arrived. We’ll try to rectify this situation next year.
“I think the general information, vendors, site structure and schedules for this year should remain up or available by a link until you are ready to change over the site to 2024. I think it would be handy for people to see content and not just a stripped down single page that doesn’t give a flavor of what the convention is about.”
Great minds think alike. We talked about this among the committee members and we agree with you. We will keep the entire schedule of talks from the previous year online and available for viewing. We are also making significant enhancements to our website to make it more interesting and attractive in between the conventions.
One attendee writes:
“I attended flea at MIT the week before – did not see anything related to HamXposition next week there. May be you need a bit more publicity?”
You’re absolutely correct! This year, we’ve launched a new subcommittee to deal with Marketing and Promotion. Stay tuned for lots more publicity about the 2024 HamXposition.
Nancy Austin, KC1NEK, writes on ri-arrl.org:
Last weekend’s HamXposition was a success. The technical programming rivaled Dayton alongside something for every interest with two or three options to choose from every hour. At night, nationally-known keynote speakers shared their personal experiences and perspectives on the future of DXpeditioning (Friday) and fractal antennas (Saturday).
Rhode Island’s strong presence at HamXpo 2023 was widely commented on. This in-person annual gathering brought together club members from at least ten RI amateur radio clubs. Many people were meeting the person behind a familiar call sign for the first time, unfolding new opportunities. Thank you to everyone who participated from the following RI clubs, radio infrastructure teams, and national supporters.
Please see the HamXpo 2023 photos posted under Clubs > Club News.
Please email additional suggestions to kc1nek@arrl.org.
One attendee writes:
“Please pass on my congrats to all who organized and helped out at HamXposition. Thank you too all involved. It was well done!
“At the banquets, the ticket listed the meal as “chicken” or “fish” only. Could there somehow be a bit more descriptive? I have to be gluten-free and both banquets I chose the wrong meal. The first night the fish was not breaded but I chose chicken, which happened to be breaded. The opposite for the following night. Maybe just a one-sentence description could fit on the ticket.”
According to General Chair of Operations Bob DeMattia, K1IW, “All of the meals can be modified for special dietary requirements. This is called out at the bottom of the “Menu Details” page:
“If you have special dietary needs, select the vegetarian option then contact K1IW with your details.”
We’ve received much feedback and constructive criticism of this year’s HamXposition. We will try to incorporate as many ideas as possible to improve HamXposition in 2024. You may email the individual committee members, or visit our testimonial page to leave feedback.