ARLA/CLUSTER: Resumo de actividades previstas em Friedrichshafen.

[João Gonçalves Costa]

HAM RADIO invites amateur radio operators to a worldwide convention

Amateur Radio Exhibition 2010 with activities for young people and teachers – Contest University – Balloon mission on Saturday – DARC anniversary with a special exhibit commemorating 60 years of club history 


>From Friday, 25 June until Sunday, 27 June 2010, HAM RADIO is the place to be for amateur radio operators from all over the world. For the first time as part of the international radio operator exhibition, there will be a Contest University dedicated to training beginners and professionals. Other featured events are HAM RALLYE, HAM CAMP and teacher training. The 35th annual HAM RADIO event also happens to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC). The 61st annual gathering on Lake Constance has something for everyone with over 40 speakers and 13 meetings. On Saturday, a balloon with a radio transmitter will be launched from the open-air grounds.

HAM RADIO is the premier event of its kind in Europe and is once again being held in concert with HAMtronic in 2010. In all, about 200 exhibitors from 29 countries will provide an overview of the latest technology and equipment. In four halls, amateur radio operators and electronics enthusiasts will be bombarded with ideas and will get plenty of opportunities to buy everything from antennas, electro- technology and measuring devices to hardware, software and electronics to peripherals and accessories. “As in past years, a lot of market leaders are returning to Friedrichshafen,” says project manager Thomas Grunewald. The HAM flea market is spread out over three halls, where enthusiasts and hobbyists can purchase exclusive, used accessories and spare parts from private individuals.

DARC celebrates its 60th anniversary
HAM RADIO is marked by DARC’s anniversary in 2010. The German Amateur Radio Club currently has 43,000 members and a 60-year history. Among other things, DARC will trace its history in Foyer West with an exhibit entitled “60 Years of DARC – Turning back the clock”. The 61st annual DARC convention on Lake Constance with over 40 presentations and 13 meetings is an important part of the overall program. “True to its motto, ‘By amateur operators for amateur operators’, the main purpose of the event is to promote dialogue and an exchange of ideas, as well as to share the joy of communication and technology,” says Stephanie Heine of DARC, the ideal sponsor of HAM RADIO. “One of the main topics is digital, wireless voice transmission. Four presentations deal specifically with this topic, for example, future developments and trends in D-STAR digital transmission, and monitoring and alert notification through D-STAR gateways.”


Contest University for beginners and professionals
For the first time in connection with HAM RADIO Friedrichshafen, there will be a Contest University, which is jointly sponsored by the DARC Committee for DX and HF Radiosport, the Bavarian Contest Club (BCC) and the Rhein Ruhr DX Association (RRDXA). The goal of this training is to infuse beginners with a passion for radiosport and help them build a solid knowledge base. The contest experience is designed to provide amateur radio operators with useful knowledge and suggestions to improve their skills. The Contest University consists of two blocks. The first, under the direction of Michael Höding, DL6MHW, will cover six topics for beginning and intermediate operators on Friday afternoon. In the second block on Saturday, Helmut Heint, DK6WL, will expand the contest forum to include topics for advanced contest operators.

Hands-on experience for young people
Sending Morse code, transmitting, soldering and tinkering - Over two days, young trade show visitors between the ages of eight and 18 will make their first foray into amateur radio at HAM-RALLYE. At the numerous stations in the Rothaus Halle/ A1, children and young people will experience first-hand that ham radio is more than just talking on the radio. “Radiotelegraphy, developing and building devices, exposure to the latest technology, satellite transmission, direction finding, expedition, athletic competition as well as emergency assistance are all part of this wide-ranging hobby,” says Stephanie Heine. The meeting point is the activity stage in Foyer West at 10 am. 

HAM CAMP on the open-air grounds
>From 25 - 27 June 2010, HAM CAMP will give up-and-coming radio operators more than just an overnight experience. A wonderful program is in store for the young radio operators, who will be able to practice their skills at the club stations to their hearts’ content. Information and application forms are available on the Internet at www.hamcamp.de. The number of slots is limited. The overnight stay costs 39 euros, which includes parking, admission to the trade show and breakfast. Anyone 27 years of age or younger may participate.

Teacher training – Amateur radio in the classroom
For the fourth year running, HAM RADIO will provide training for teachers from Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Switzerland. Under the motto, “From amateur operator to engineer”, educators can attend presentations and workshops to learn how to incorporate practical activities in electronics and information technology into their science and technology lessons. For instance, Michael Matthes and Jens Mundhenke will discuss opportunities for students and youth groups to participate in the European Balloon Project. DARC and Amateur Radio and Telecommunications in the Schools (AATiS) have teamed up to put together the teacher training. Please email inquiries and applications to schule  darc.de.

Balloon mission on Saturday
In keeping with the presentation by Michael Matthes, DL2SEK, on the European Balloon Project, two weather balloons with a radio transmitter and a camera on board will be launched on Saturday. 
The project is being organized by a European team. The local Taubertal-Mitte club will be in charge of the first balloon and payload. A Polish team will launch the second balloon. The flight plan will be overseen by French ham radio operators. During the entire flight, digital sensor data, position and voice information will be transmitted. A pursuit team on the ground will try to track the balloon and recover the payload undamaged. 

Opening hours
HAM RADIO is open from 9 am to 6 pm on Friday, 25 June and Saturday, 26 June 2010, and from 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday, 27 June. A day tickets are 8 euros, and discounted tickets are 6.50 euros. A 3-day badge is available for 15 euros. RV and camper parking is available in the east parking lot directly adjacent to the exhibition halls. Radio operators can set up their tents there.