Area Radio Enthusiasts Gather for Greater Louisville Hamfest

Have you ever driven by a house and wondered what all of those large antennas on the roof are?  Have you seen a vehicle with antennas of various sizes sprouting from it like a big, steel porcupine?  Have you attended a large event like a marathon or the Derby Breakfast and seen event coordinators communicating with each other using handheld radios?  If so, then chances are that you have seen some licensed radio amateurs – also known as “hams.”

The Louisville area is home to many active ham radio enthusiasts who use the technology for everything from emergency communications to simply chatting with friends or seeing what kind of homebrew transmitting or receiving equipment they can create.

Each year, area hams get together for an event known as a hamfest.  The 2015 Greater Louisville Hamfest will be held September 12 at Paroquet Springs Conference Center in Shepherdsville.  During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to connect face-to-face with other hams they have met on the air; buy, sell, and trade equipment at the flea market; learn about various topics during the forums and presentations; watch demonstrations; and earn or upgrade their operating license during the on-site testing opportunities.  According to Amateur Radio Kentuckiana, getting licensed to operate on amateur radio frequencies is often much easier than people think it is.

To learn more about the upcoming Greater Louisville Hamfest, visit their website at louisvillehamfest.com.