The Kalamazoo Hamfest will be Saturday October 5th, 2024 9am - 4pm
"The mission of the Kalamazoo Hamfest is to deliver a venue for face-to-face QSOs, the selling and buying of radio equipment, as well as provide opportunities, for those interested in the hobby of Amateur Radio, to learn, exchange ideas, and have an opportunity to physically inspect equipment common to the activity. The Hamfest, co-sponsored by the Southwest Michigan Amateur Radio Team (S.M.A.R.T.) and the Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club (K.A.R.C.), provides an opportunity to promote their organizations and advance the goals of amateur radio community."
The location is once again the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds and Expo Center.
A map and directions can be found on the Directions tab.
Visit our Sponsors:
Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club
Southwest Michigan Amateur Radio Team
Directions to the Kalamazoo Hamfest
Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds and Expo Center
2900 Lake St
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
You can use google maps to find directions below or download directions here: Map and Directions (PDF Format)
The K8KZO 147.04 Repeater will be the talk-in frequency.
It has positive (+) offset and a PL Tone of 94.8 Hz.
Once you arrive at the fairgrounds, the main entrance to the Hamfest is on the east side of the building.
Tables Are Still Available Rent!
The rates are as follows:
| Type | Price | # Still Available |
|---|
| 8-foot regular w/o Power | $15 | Many |
| 8-foot with Electric | $25 | Many |
Reserve your table today - forms are here:Vendor Form(PDF Format)
Table/Vendor Setup is available on Friday from 4 PM until 7 PM. Setup reopens on Saturday at 7 AM.
Because of the nature of the weather at the end of October, the Kalamazoo Hamfest will NOT hold Outdoor Trunk Sales. Tables will be available inside the Expo Center for sales. The standard table fee will apply. Depending upon demand, tables may or may not be available on the day of the hamfest. To assure yourself of a table, please make table reservations as soon as you can.
Vendor and Table related quesitons can be emailed to: vendorsKHF@gmail.com
The Kalamazoo Hamfest Welcomes Participating Vendors
Watch this space as we announce vendors for this year's hamfest.
We will update our lists with 2024 vendors and door prize donors as our hamfest approaches.
Here is a list of some of our previous vendors. We hope you will patronize their tables! They join our hamfest to offer goods and services you may need or find useful in the hobby.
- Amateur Accesories, Inc- Champaign, IL
- EAE Sales- Grabill, IN
- R&R Connectors- Muskegon, MI
- Hamsters- Somewhere in time- Elkhart, IN
- RF Adaptor Guy/Alpha Antenna- Sheboygan, WI
- Webster Communications- Rochester, MI
- 3rd Planet Solar- Gaylord, MI
- IRA Repeater- Grand Rapids, MI
- Kzoo Makers- Kalamazoo, MI
- ARRL- Newington, CT
- SMART and KARC- Kalamazoo, MI
2023 Hamfest Volunteers
The Kalamazoo Hamfest would not be possible without a dedicated team of volunteers that work throughout the year to make the event a success.
At the Hamfest, locate a volunteer easily by their green "Hamfest Volunteer" hats and badges.
The 2023 Kalamazoo Hamfest Committee:
| Title | Name | Callsign |
|---|
| Chair | Alex Stuart | KE8ICM |
| Treasurer | Christoph Hartel | KD8QNL |
| Secretary | Position Open | - |
| Marketing | Tom Oliver | KC8QFF |
| Social Media Marketing | Kat Stuart | KD4ZLT |
| Volunteer Coordinator | Mac Rincon | KE8RRG |
| Vendor Coordinator | Bryan Garfoot | KC9RED |
| VE Coordinator | John Tucker | WB8ZVV |
| Vendor Loading/Unloading Coordinator | Mac Rincon | KE8RRG |
| S.M.A.R.T Club Liason | Position Open | |
| Signage | Position Open | |
| Forum Coordinator | Position Open | - |
| MC/PA Announcer | Position Open | - |
| Test Bench | Karl Flekinger | KB8FQJ |
| QSL Card Checking | Dave Clark | W8DO |
| Makers Group | Ron Schubot | N8CML |
| ARRL SM | Larry Camp | WB8R |
| WebMaster | Position Open | - |
Hamfest Forums
The educational component of the Kalamazoo Hamfest are forums.
We are currently organizing forums. Please contact Alex Stuart if you have a suggested topic or if you would like to present a topic. We are always looking for new topics and presenters.
- Track 1
- "Where did those IF frequencies come from ?"
- Presenter: Ed Dupart
- 11:00 AM
- "Insider tips for servicing tube radios and audio gear"
- Presenter: Mark Oppat
- 12:00 PM
Amateur Radio License Testing
Amateur radio license testing will be offered again this year, our test session will begin at 10am.
