Seven EAWA members made their way to Marlborough, MA, for the 43rd Northeast HamXposition. Since its origin in 1924, the event has evolved, changing organizers and locations. This year there were over 115 different presentations, a keynote address, two banquets, two vendor halls, and rows of flea market sellers in the parking lot. That’s a lot to take in, and doesn’t account for the many conversations in the halls and in the restaurant.
Although we met up each morning for breakfast and each evening for a shared meal, we followed our own agendas for each day. Stan W1BOY and Marion W1GRL attended the mini Contest University on Friday. They learned some new techniques and gained a new level of inspiration for radio sport. A real highlight was meeting the individuals behind admired callsigns, particularly the recent youth winner at the World Radio Team Championship (WRTC), Connor W4PIC, recent Bouvet activator Max N4ML, and the creator of the POTA/Contesting app Ham2K Polo, Sebastian KI2D. Marion won “The One-Shot Wire Antenna Slingshot” in the prize drawings at the end of the sessions.
While we will remember the information learned during the sessions, it is often the unexpected conversations that stand out as a integral part of the experience. For Marion, part of the fun of the revolved the many times W1GRL, W1BOY, K1MOM, and W1DAD were in the same sessions. They had worked each other on POTAs, so it was great to meet in person. Some presenters started their workshops with something similar to, “This is a family presentation. We have Mom, Dad, a boy and girl with us today.”
For Matt KC1VLH and his wife Susan, this was their first visit to a radio gathering of this size. Matt took in several sessions, and throughly browsed the vendors and flea market tables. Outstanding for Matt was the Keynote Address by Everton Henriques KD2ZZT. Everton is a teacher at Staten Island Technical High School. He shared the way ham radio energized and transformed both himself and his students in their robotics and solar car projects. He emphasized repeatedly the ways his students took charge in design, execution, and troubleshooting. Everton’s pride and don’t-give-up attitude were contagious!
An unexpected encounter for Matt and Stan occurred when a man accepted the invitation to take an empty seat at the Downeast Maine table for the Saturday night banquet. As it turns out, the man shared a passion for railroads that would rival that of Matt and his son Chris. Stan shared that he worked on the railroad for a while. Our new friend then revealed that he went to college in Stan’s hometown, and knew the line and location where Stan had worked.
Barbara KC1SSY and Tracey AC1UN spent a good part of their time in sessions relating to MARS, ARES, SHARES, and FEMA. As a member of MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System) and in her role as the Hancock County Emergency Coordinator, these sessions gave Barbara a chance to meet up with old friends, make new friends, and learn more about how these specialized groups operate in other areas of New England. Barbara also attended the meet-and-greet for the YLRL (Young Ladies Radio League). It was a great for Barbara, Susan, and Marion to meet YLRL officers and touch base with this important organization.
An unexpected encounter for Barbara started when she got on the elevator with a man wearing an Acadia National Park t-shirt. She asked him about the shirt, and upon noticing her callsign, he realized he had worked her when he was vacationing in Acadia. Barbara remembered his callsign, thus leading to a lively conversation.
Perhaps the best part of the long weekend wasn’t any particular thing, but the fun we had together. Susan, whose name badge reads “XYL of KC1VLH,” was taken with how she was included in all the activities. We established a message group, keeping up with each other from the time we left our homes until we all returned. (Well, Phil N1EP took himself out of the group and then wanted to be back in … you can ask him about that). Whether it was raising a glass in the restaurant, waking each other up at breakfast, or making jokes as we traveled, Susan found this special bond to be “the most amazing aspect!”
The weekend was wonderful, inspiring, and exhausting, just as it should be. The session presenters were well-prepared, covered a wide-range of topics, and presented current, useful information. The vendors and sellers had something for everyone. If you haven’t experienced a gathering of this size, we highly recommend it. There will be something of interest there for every ham radio operator. There will also be people who recognize your callsign, old friends, and new friends. It’s worth the time and effort to attend!
Written by Marion W1GRL
W1TU 