The 66th annual Orlando HamCation® Amateur Radio and Computer Show will take place on February 10th through 12th, 2012, at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, presented by the Orlando Amateur Radio Club.

HamCation® is the premier Ham Radio event in the Southeastern US, annually bringing together vendors of radio equipment, Amateur Radio organizations and over ten thousand hams from around the world in a three-day gathering.

Hams come from all walks of life, are licensed in the US by the FCC after passing a written test, and use radio to exchange messages, learn and experiment, and help in times of emergency. Each licensed ham receives a unique radio call sign. There are over 2.5 million hams worldwide, one-quarter of whom are in the US, and the hobby is growing. Hams share a love of radio, science and technology, and are bonded by camaraderie and the love of their hobby. In the US, hams are represented primarily by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

HamCation® 2012 will feature over 150 commercial vendor booths in the main Fairgrounds building offering a wide variety of radios, antennas, accessories, test equipment, tools, software and books. There will also be over 400 swap (private) vendors in the other buildings and a large tailgating (outdoor vendor) area offering a wide variety of radio and computer hardware, software, parts and accessories.

The show will also feature a series of forums on various topics of interest, hourly raffles, testing sessions for those wishing to enter the hobby. There will be RV camping, a "Special Event" guest amateur station, and Ladies' Programs. This year's show is also honored to host the ARRL's Northern Florida Section Convention.

Venue Address: Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 West Colonial Drive (SR-50), Orlando FL 32808.

Show hours: Friday: Noon to 6 pm, Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday: 9 am to 2 pm.

Admission: $12 for all three days. Parking is free.

Links:         HamCation®         Orlando Amateur Radio Club

Contacts:
Bob Nocero, Public Information Officer, 407-896-7164, w4kbw@cfl.rr.com
Peter Meijers, HamCation® Chairman, 407-739-2305, ai4km@cfl.rr.com
Email queries: info@hamcation.com

Phone: 407-841-0874. Outside Florida call 800-214-7541.

Mailing address: Orlando HamCation, P.O. Box 547811, Orlando FL 32485-7811.