2024-10-16 Hamfest Update
- We have continued consolidating inside vendor space so that the Main Floor accommodates all inside spaces. The adjacent Room 2 will now become the VE Testing Room to better accommodate two test sessions.
- The forum on Backup & Alternative Power by David Wilson, KY4FH, has been replaced with “Chasing DX and Loving It” presented by the Tennessee Valley DX Group. David, a professional electrical engineer, was requested to report to Asheville, NC, by FEMA to assist with restoration of the city water plants. We wish David well as he assists with returning full production to the city’s water system.
- We’re sold out on our show’s main floor (gym), but we do have additional space in an adjacent room. There is always the possibility of cancellations, so we encourage you to go ahead and submit your space request now. You will either be assigned the space you’ve requested or have first dibs on any space that may become available. Please slide further down this page to submit your space request.
Hamfest Chattanooga Info,
Location, Days & Operating Hours
Signal Light #8 – Ringgold Road.
Talk-In Service.
On-Air assistance with directions and general information will be available on Friday, October 18th, and Saturday, October 19th on the 145.390 (107.2 Tone) repeater. AllStarLink Node 602640 or Echolink Node 859388 (W4AM-R).
Cash is still “king” for most transactions done directly with our club; however, on-site vendors may accept payment by credit or debit card. Check with each vendor as you purchase for payment options. Hamfest Chattanooga remains one of the best event bargains around. A $10 admission provides for two-days of fun, forums, commercial & flea market vendors & sellers to enjoy. Cash is preferred.
City of East Ridge Community Center
1515 Tombras Avenue
East Ridge, TN 37412
1 mile off I-75 at the Tennessee-Georgia Stateline (Exit 1).
- Thursday, October 17, 2024 – Afternoon-Early Evening Setup for Vendors
Primarily for Inside Vendors
Doors open at 2 PM – 7 PM ET for vendor setup. - Friday, October 18, 2024
- Morning Setup for Vendors
- Outside Flea Market Opens at Noon ET
(Outside Vendor Setup starts at 10 AM ET) - Show Hours 1 – 7 PM ET
- FCC Test Session One will be on Friday, Oct 18, 2024 at 6 PM.
You must register for the testing session – CLICK HERE.
- Saturday, October 19, 2024
- Outside Flea Market Opens at 7 AM ET
- Inside Show Hours:
- Vendor Building Access: 8 AM ET
- Open to the Public: 8:30 AM – 3 PM ET
- FCC Test Session Two will be on Saturday, Oct 19, 2024 at 1:00 PM.
You must register for the testing session – CLICK HERE. - Get Your Ham Radio License Now! You can do it.
Hamfest Chattanooga 2024 consists of several inside areas and one outside area (Flea Market / Boneyard). All inside space is by reservation only. The main floor (gym) is adjoined by Room 1 (Forums) and Room 2 (additional vendor space).
Outside space is on a first come, first served basis. When you arrive, select your space and pay for the space(s) you decide to use. Hamfest Staff will be on-hand to assist you.
Please note that we do not provide nighttime security for any outside areas, so secure your goods, trailers, etc., if you are leaving anything overnight.
Inside Show Admission.
Guests Ages 18 & Over: $10 per person (covers both days) – Cash Only for Admission. No ATM is available on-site. Guests Under 18: Free
Inside Vendors.
Inside Vendors who pay for space will receive an admission wristband for each working staff member that accompanies them. The vendor will also receive 1 door prize ticket. Any staff member that wishes to participate in door prize drawings must purchase a door prize ticket separately.
Outside Vendors.
Outside Vendors who pay for parking space(s) will receive an admission wristband and 1 door prize ticket. Accompanying passengers in the same vehicle must pay for their own admission separately.
Outside Flea Market Space.
- As last year, our outside space is located on the north side of the community center between the main building and the police station. There are about 53 parking spaces in the Outside Flea Market.
- Please be mindful of the weather forecast. It is October. No refunds for inclement weather.
- Parking spaces in the Outside Flea Market are $10 for the first space, then $5 per additional space (max. 3 spaces). In case of inclement weather, Outside Flea Market Vendors may use pop-up tent canopies provided they stay within the confines of the space rented.
- Fees paid cover both days of the show.
- Admission is NOT required to shop in the Outdoor Flea Market. Only those selling are required to pay.
Table Pricing.
The first 6-foot, covered table is $20. Each additional covered table is only $15.00. Due to the venue size, there may be a per vendor limit on the number of tables. We will work with you as best we can to accommodate the number of tables needed. We’re sorry, but a 6-foot table length is a venue requirement. An appropriate number of chairs will be provided per vendor.
Forums.
Our forum schedule and topics is being finalized now. So come back later to see our exciting topics and presenters.
FCC Test Sessions.
There will be two FCC Test Sessions.
- FCC Test Session One will be on Friday, Oct 18, 2024 at 06:00 PM.
- FCC Test Session Two will be on Saturday, Oct 19, 2024 at 01:00 PM.
On-Site RV Parking/Overnight Camping.
Due to the construction of a Family Dog Park near the Community Center, no overnight RV parking or overnight camping is allowed…no exceptions. RV’s may be parked behind the building during show hours but must be removed when the show closes each day. Commercial RV campgrounds are available nearby and also at Camp Jordan Arena. Overnight parking with hookups are available at Camp Jordan RV Park for $20 per night. Call 423-486-2034 for more info.
On-Site Food.
Food and drink will be available from the official City of East Ridge on-site food vendor, Carpenter Family Concessions. They have a reputation for great food, so plan to enjoy their services.
Recognized Amateur Radio Club or Groups.
If you represent a recognized Amateur Radio Club or group, we may have low- or no cost space available for you. Just make a reservation and we’ll be in touch.
We have inside (heated/cooled) space and an outside flea market directly in front of the building. The entire building is available to us this year.
Since the community center is a smaller venue, it is extremely important that you make your inside space reservation now. No payment is required now so please complete the simple on-line space request form to reserve your space. We’ll do our best to honor your location request if possible but as with many things, the early bird gets the worm!
Fun Learning Forums
Friday, October 18th | Room 1 | Presenter(s) |
3 PM to 4 PM | TNL* Forum | Rey Beardsley, KM4SHH |
4 PM to 5 PM | So You Want a Radio Tower? | Jeff Martin, W4EMZ Tower Owner & President |
5 PM to 6 PM | Chasing DX & Loving It | Tennessee Valley DX Association |
7 PM ET – Show Closes | ||
Saturday, October 19th | Room 1 | Presenter(s) |
9 AM – 10 AM | ARRL Forum | David Thomas, KM4NYI |
10 AM – 11 AM | APRS/Winlink Forum | Kenny Witt, KC4OJS Well-known, regional resource on Winlink & APRS |
11 AM – Noon | AREDN Forum | SE TN AREDN Core Team |
Noon – 1 PM | Skywarn Forum | Chattanooga Area Skywarn Team |
1 PM – 2 PM | Straight Key Century Club | Cathy Goodrich, W4CMG |
3 PM ET – Show Closes | ||
Admission & Door Prize Policy.
Volunteers.
Volunteers that work 4 or more hours will receive an admission wristband at no charge reflecting their service to Hamfest. This provides them free admission to the show; however, volunteers that wish to participate in door prize drawings, MUST purchase a door prize ticket (one ticket per volunteer). This is a requirement of the State of Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Inside Vendors.
Inside Vendors who pay for space will receive an admission wristband for each working staff member who accompanies them. The vendor will also receive 1 door prize ticket. Any staff member who wishes to participate in door prize drawings must purchase a door prize ticket separately.
Outside Vendors.
Outside Vendors who pay for parking space(s) will receive an admission wristband and 1 door prize ticket. Accompanying passengers in the same vehicle must pay for their admission separately.
Important News.
The Board of Directors of the Chattanooga Amateur Radio Club has now expanded the scope of interest for Hamfest Chattanooga to include companies, organizations, and guests with interests in Preparedness, GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) Communications, and outdoor-related activities. These are related areas that benefit from each other and directly support the longstanding goal of being ready when infrastructure fails and disaster strikes. Service to the community, family, and individuals has always been a hallmark of Amateur Radio & GMRS Service.
Recent changes by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to GMRS licensing now make it even easier for families and individuals to have high-quality radio communications through Amateur (Ham) Radio and GMRS. The Chattanooga Amateur Radio Club considers GMRS as a kindred spirit of service to those wishing to advance the art & science of radio thereby increasing their level of readiness & capability when normal communications fail.
Since 2007, NGGMRS has continued to expand its coverage area (now over 52,000 square miles) to serve an ever-expanding territory with commercial-grade equipment, know-how, and a sincere desire to serve families, individuals, and communities with communications via RF- and linked repeaters. Weekly nets provide NGGMRS members and guests with a friendly, controlled radio environment to learn, share, and encourage those in their radio journey and to be ready when things go wrong. NGGMRS will also host several forums at Hamfest Chattanooga on a variety of interesting topics.
Animals at Hamfest.
We all love our pets and service animals. If you plan to travel with your pet or service animal and bring them along, please be aware of the following City of East Ridge rules regarding animals on-site. Please note that the City makes a distinction between animals being inside buildings and in outside venues.
- Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), only dogs are officially classified as “service animals”. Service dog owners are afforded special rights and protections under ADA.
- “Emotional” support dogs are not the same as a service dog.
- Only service dogs (as defined by ADA) are permitted inside any City of East Ridge Parks & Recreation Building. This includes the building used by Hamfest.
- Leashed pets are permitted outside the building and in City of East Ridge parks subject to the rules identified here.
The gist of this is that no animals other than ADA-compliant service dogs are allowed inside the building.
There is a new (2022) dog park next door to the Hamfest building for your dog to enjoy.
More information about service dogs and ADA is available at this website.
Main Floor (Gym)
