Conference Activities & Events

Thursday Evening Event

After a long day of travel, join us for a pool party held at the hotel. A summer meal, a chance to chat, and cool off in the pool.  The cost is $30 and includes a catered buffet. A cash bar will be available.  This event is for attendees and family members.

Antenna Range

Bring your antennas for testing and characterization!  Once again the VHF/UHF/Microwave antenna ranges will be operating on Friday morning (weather permitting).  Compare your antennas to the CSVHFS standards.  Even if you don't bring an antenna for testing, come on out to the range and learn how they are run and what they teach us about antennas.

Two antenna ranges provide an opportunity for members to measure the gain performance of their antennas. Over the years, new designs performed well. Sometimes, a quick adjustment provided improved performance. Antennas ranging from 144 MHz to 10 GHz can be evaluated. The antenna ranges will operate from 8 am to 11:30 am. Bring your antennas to the range early in the morning so they will be tested.

Noise Figure Measurement Lab

Bring your Low Noise pre-amps for testing and characterization!  We'll have equipment and volunteers to test your pre-amps and transverters (for system NF). Get building!  This activity will run Friday morning from 8 am to 11:30 am. Low noise amplifiers improve communications in weak signal environments. For many bands, amateur radio operators homebrew their low-noise amplifiers. The noise figure measurement bench provides an opportunity for the measurement of noise figure on a world-class noise figure analyzer.

VHF/UHF/Microwave Vendor Room

Vendors display and sell their products in our vendor room. Brand-new products provide the latest in technology. Some used gear offers an entry to a new band at a lower price. Some vendors salvage useful items from test equipment and commercial products.

Poster/Tabletop Presentations

Have content to share with the attendees but not able to work it into a paper or a presentation?  Consider a "Poster Session" or a table-top display.  See "Guidance Documents," "For Posterboard and Table Top Display Authors"  for more information.  Your posters will be on display Friday and Saturday.

Rover Row

Bring your Rover vehicle and offer "shack visits"!  We'll have a specific place for you to park on Friday morning.  Conference attendees can work their way down the row to check out the many rovers, visit with their owners, etc.  This activity occurs on Friday morning. 

Dish Bowl

Bring your portable Microwave Dish system for show-and-tell!  Owners will have the opportunity to provide show-and-tell to Conference attendees.  Learn how they've solved problems and integrated their systems.  Operate your first 10 GHz and 24 GHz contacts with gear available for trying.  The Dish Bowl will occur on Friday morning and will be located adjacent to Rover Row.

Luncheons

 The Friday and Saturday luncheons provide an opportunity to dine with your new and old friends. A speaker entertains the group.  See the "Luncheons" tab for more details.

Technical Presentations (Friday Afternoon and Saturday)

Technical Presentations from all over the VHF/UHF weak-signal spectrum: equipment, circuit design, antennas, propagation, and operational procedures.  As speakers and their topics are locked in, they will appear in our Schedule of Events.  If you are interested in presenting, please see "Guidance Documents," "For Proceedings Authors"  or "For Conference Presenters" for more information.

Friday Night VHF/UHF/Microwave Swapfest

Bring your excess equipment for trading on Friday Night. You have items of unique interest to VHF/UHF/Microwave operators and they have an interest in what you have. Work out a trade!  

Hospitality Room

The Hospitality Suite will allow for conversations and networking to continue into the late hours without worrying about disturbing the neighbors.  A favorite for many attendees!  In operation on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Saturday Night Banquet

Bring your entire family and come and join us for an evening of socializing and dining that features award presentations, a banquet speaker, and our prize table giveaways

ARRL

Our conference is an ARRL-sanctioned event.  Section, Division, and National ARRL representatives will be present.