This is a reminder that the Dayton Hamvention is this coming weekend. Dayton is in Ohio, USA 🇺🇸.
As far as I know, it is the biggest amateur radio gathering on the planet. It particularly attracts visitors in the USA, but is also a meeting place for overseas visitors too.
It is often the place where new products are announced. I am still waiting for the FT817 true successor, although I fear it is now too late!
This takes place in a few weeks. It is probably the biggest ham gathering on the planet.
It is often the place where new products are announced, even before the product is ready! Why? The USA is probably the biggest market in the world.
One can imagine the pressures on the design teams! You can almost hear the bosses at ICOM and Yaesu saying, "we MUST have a demo product in time for Dayton". The fallback is a non-working model under a screen so punters can only look. I just wonder if there will be any new products announced this year? There was little announced by the big Japanese manufacturers last year.
This is probably the biggest ham gathering in the world. Many (who can afford it!) like to go there to see the gear and meet old friends. It is on this weekend.
It is often the place where new rigs are launched. You can imagine the panic in many labs in the run-up! As yet, I have not (yet) seen any major announcements, but this is the place to do it.
See https://hamvention.org/ .
In my honest view, this is a last chance for some manufacturers including Yaesu. If they "miss the boat" they may never, ever, get another chance. As the average age of radio amateurs increases and many become SK, the outcome could be bleak for many manufacturers and dealers.
UPDATE 2010z: Well Dayton has been running for several hours and I have not yet heard any announcements about new rigs.
This is mid-May in Ohio USA. It is one of the biggest amateur radio gatherings in the world. It is often the place where major manufacturers announce new products, even if they are still some way off. I have never been. Let's hope Yaesu do not miss the boat again, or I fear curtains.
See https://hamvention.org/ .
The numbers have been released for the number of Dayton Hamfest attendees over the last few years. There were fewer attendees this year, but not down much. Not bad for the first "in person" event since 2019.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2022/may/hamvention-attendance-figure-announced.htm#.YpTFkY7MLrc
For those who went to Dayton, Ohio, USA, I think it is fair to say that reactions were mixed. Many enjoyed the huge fleamarket, but many were disappointed with the new "toys" being launched.
There were few real eye openers and Kenwood was not there at all. I think they are already leaving the amateur radio market. In my view others will follow as there is no longer a mass market with juicy profits.
See https://k9zw.wordpress.com/2022/05/25/dayton-xenia-hamvention-2022-jeff-ke9vs-final-report/
This is a video of the ICOM stand at the Dayton Hamvention. I am underwhelmed.
The VHF transceivers look "same as", the linear looks big, and the SHF concept looks like it will never happen. Where is the truly handheld version of the IC-705?
If Yaesu is similar I can see them both leaving this market within 5 years. I suspect they both can see the writing on the wall.
It is now early Saturday in central Europe. The big (huge) Dayton Hamvention is on its middle day of 3. I have not yet heard any announcements of new commercial gear in the offing. Have you?
Now in its 70th year Dayton Hamvention, Ohio is this weekend May 20-22nd. This is massive with trade stands and flea market.
This is May 20-22nd. It is the biggest ham gathering in the world. I have never been. This year it is in person once again. Often major manufacturers announce new products here.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2022/may/get-to-2022-dayton-hamvention.htm#.Yn_-7CHMLrc .
As far as I know this is on as a face-to-face convention later this month after a couple of dire Covid years rather getting in the way.
Often the big manufacturers announce new products here, sometimes well before release. I guess they are testing the market interest. It will be interesting to see what is announced. This is an ideal chance for Yaesu to announce a proper successor to the FT817/818 series. The recent offering (the FT818) was distinctly underwhelming! With sunspot numbers rising this is an ideal time. Or will Yaesu again "miss the boat"?
This is one of the largest amateur radio gatherings on the planet. I have never been.
See https://hamvention.org/ .
For the second year, because of Covid-19, this was a virtual event. They are already selling tickets for the 2022 event, which they hope is not virtual!
Usually this is a showcase event where new products are shown for the first time. Often these are rushed, pre-production products. We may have to wait a long time before production starts and bugs are ironed out. I have not heard of great new products being announced, although I may have missed this.
This, outside Japan, is where we first heard of the IC-7300 and IC-705 from ICOM. I was wondering if Yaesu was going to announce a real successor to the FT817 (I don't count the FT818)_......zzzzz wake up Yaesu!!
The Dayton Hamvention is usually one of the biggest amateur events on the planet. People usually travel there from all over the world. This year, like last, it is a virtual event sadly. These days will end.
Often, the big manufacturers announce new products here. It is an important date in the diary. If you want to attend virtually, there is a link below.
See https://hamvention.org .
They are already selling tickets for 2022, which hopefully will not be virtual.
Southgate News reports that plans for an in-person Friedrichshafen in June are still going ahead. I do hope so. I think there is an online event too. This is one of the biggest amateur radio gatherings in the world.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/march/friedrichshafen-june-25-27.htm#.YFDDJiuTLrc
On a sadder note, the ARRL reports that the Dayton Hamvention is being cancelled for the second year. In the USA there is a great danger of a new spike in Covid-19 infections, so this is probably sensible.
The UK organisers of the National Hamfest is making a final decision in June.
This is the place where many manufacturers announce new products.
This morning, we went for a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. In addition to the first snowdrops we also saw some daffodils out.
