Dayton goes 'Radio Active' this weekend

DAYTON, Ohio, (WDTN) - Some 20,000 visitors are in Dayton this weekend to attend Hamvention, the largest gathering of amateur radio operators in the world.

The only impact on Miami Valley residents may be they notice a few more cars with “extra” antennas on the road, but the event is expected to give a $10 million boost to the local economy.

Amateur radio operators, or Hams, flock to Dayton from all parts of the world to attend the event where many manufacturers debut their latest and greatest products.

“I came all the way from Spain,” said Oriel, who did not wish to give his last name, ‘I am here to see the new radios and maybe take one home on the airplane.”

Hundreds of Hams lined up before the event opened Friday, signaling they are not only diehard hobbyists but also their dedication to the Dayton event.

But, with the addition of cell phones, portable tablet devices and widespread internet availability, surly the hobby must be on its way out.

“Amateur radio is far from dead,” said Allen Pitts with the Amateur Radio Relay League, the national membership organization of amateur operators, “It’s not your grandfather’s anymore.”

Pitts says with the addition of digital radio modes and the internet, the hobby has new avenues of expansion.

In fact, the Federal Communications Commission, who issues the necessary licenses to Hams, reports it is issuing thousands of licenses each year.

Even if you aren’t a licensed amateur radio operator, Hamvention might be a great place to spend some time this weekend.

“I’m not a Ham, a roast or any other kind of meat,” said Hamvention attendee Rachael Watkins. “I’m just here to walk around the flea market and see what’s here.”

When we caught up with her, Watkins had already picked out a new cordless phone for her home as well as a box of odds and ends for her kitchen.

“I really didn’t expect to be leaving with a corn shucker today,” she laughed, “But, you know, I needed one so I bought one.”