Hamfest is June 20 at Barnard Fire Field
The Rochester Amateur Radio Association (RARA) will hold its 93rd amateur radio festival on Saturday, June 20, 2026. This one-day event will be held at the Barnard Fire Field, 410 Maiden Lane, Rochester.
The “hamfest” is an opportunity for the general public to learn about the amateur radio hobby, and for amateur radio enthusiasts to buy and sell equipment as well as to socialize with other “hams.” The festival will feature technical presentations on a variety of amateur radio topics of interest to both beginners and experienced hams. Food and coffee will also be available.
The hamfest will also include a flea market where individuals can sell radio equipment and other electronics. The festival will feature free amateur radio license testing and a raffle with the grand prize being an ICOM IC-7300MK2 100-watt HF transceiver.
The festival grounds open to flea market vendors at 7 a.m. and to the public at 8 a.m. Admission is $10 per person, with free admission provided to students (under 18 or with a college ID), festival volunteers, and RARA club members. There is an additional $5 charge to sell items in the flea market. Free overnight RV parking will also be available.
Amateur radio has proven time and time again to be a dependable communication method when cellular phones, landlines, and other communications fail. This was demonstrated this past winter when a historic blizzard brought record snowfalls to Southeastern New England. Throughout the storm, radio amateurs assisted the National Weather Service in tracking snowfall amounts and other condition reports across the region. Hams also provided auxiliary communications for local governments and storm shelters.
Amateur radio also provides opportunities for hobbyists to experiment with satellite communication, portable operation, voice and digital wireless communication, and to give back to the community by providing communication support for local charity events. Hams even have opportunities to communicate with astronauts on the International Space Station!
For additional information, visit https://www.rochesterham.org/hamfest.htm.
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