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RARSfest
RARSfest Event Schedule
The schedule was last updated on March 26, 2024, at 12:40 AM.

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Use the QR code to the right or go to https://www.rarsfest.org/event_schedule_and_floor_plan.php for the latest information.



Location  9:00 – 10:00 10:00 – 11:00 11:00 – Noon Noon – 1:00 1:00 – 2:00 2:00 – 3:00
Room No. 1
Sales Arena
ARRL Roanoke Division Forum with Dr. Jim Boehner N2ZZ, Director, Roanoke Division, and Bill Morine N2COP, Vice Director, Roanoke Division ARRL NC Section Forum, ARES/NTS/Other, with Marv Hoffman WA4NC, NC Section Manager, and his staff “Exploring the Digital Modes: D-Star, System Fusion, and DMR,” presented by Nathan Best KO4W NWS SKYWARN® Storm Spotter Training with Virginia Enzor NC4VA, Emergency Coordinator Central Carolina SKYWARN “Honoring Danny Hampton K4ITL (SK) and His Achievements”—Reflections by those who knew him well, moderated by Virginia Enzor NC4VA and Marv Hoffman WA4NC
Room No. 2
West “Hall of Fame” Meeting Room
Amateur Radio License Exams, administered by the RARS and FCHRE VE Teams, with Richard Hall, K7RLH. Walk-ins will be accepted but pregistration is preferred and may be done by submitting the registration form on the RARSfest License Exams page (select the RARSfest location and date). All applicants must arrive promptly at 9:00 am SHARP! No fee to take the exams, but if an exam results in a brand new license (not just an upgrade), a $35 fee must be paid to the US Dept of Treasury. Hamfest admission is not required to take an exam. Complimentary hamfest admission if you earn your first license at this testing session. All applicants must have a government-issued picture ID and a FCC FRN to take an exam. See here for the details and to register. “Choose Your Own Adventure in Ham Radio,” presented by Brantley West K4CBW, RARS Youth Director “An Introduction to Amateur Radio Satellites - Working the Easy Satellites with Equipment You Already Own,” presented by Philip Jenkins N4HF "Helping Hams: Ham Radio for Public Service Events," with Jeremy Lindsley K2HJX, RARS Public Service Director
RARSfest
Command Center
Show Floor Center
Information Table, PA Announcements, Prize Pick-Up, Lost & Found
Pre-Registration Prize at 10:00 am, First Prize at 1:00 pm, Grand Prize at 2:00 pm
“Hourly” Prize drawings throughout the day!
Winners of “Hourly” Prizes will have until 3:15 pm to collect them in person at the Command Center. ID may required.
The Commercial Area
ARRL, QCWA, RARS, NTS Booths
QSL card checking for ARRL and CQ awards by K4CIA
Central Carolina SKYWARN/NWS Booth with Virginia Enzor NC4VA and her staff
Visit the ARRL booth to meet our Roanoke Division Director and Vice Director, and the NC Section Officers and appointees. Update your ARRL, RARS, and QCWA national and local Piedmont NC Chapter 126 memberships.
Northeast Corner of the
Commercial Area
NC Ham Public Service Communications Trailer
Jeremy Lindsley K2HJX, RARS Public Service Director
Restaurant
Northeast Corner
The restaurant will be open from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm
The restaurant will be accessible via the hallway in the vestibule from 7:30 am to 8:00 am so people waiting in line can get a beverage and a snack. Once the hamfest doors open to the public at 8:00 am, the restaurant will be accessible only by hamfest attendees from the show floor.
Restaurant Closed
Outside the Jim
Graham Building
Northeast Corner
Satellite Communications Demonstration, with John Brier KG4AKV
AO-91, ISS, and RS-44 back to back starting at 10:11 am SHARP! IO-117 Green Cube Digital Sat from 1:14 pm - 2:31 pm
See the Satellite Demonstration page for details.
Spectators are advised to arrive at least a few minutes prior to the noted times of the satellite passes.
Volunteer Consignment Table
Bargains to be had at the rear west wall of the Flea Market, beyond the "milking parlor" (whatever that is)
Maker Island
West of the Booths
Alamance Makers Guild - Greensboro Makerspace  |  Forge Initiative - Apex Makerspace  |  SplatSpace - Durham's HackerSpace  |  Triangle Area Makers  |  TriEmbed - Triangle Embedded Interest Group  |  TriLUG - Triangle Linux Users Group  |  Triangle Amateur Robotics  |  Competing FIRST Robotics Teams  |  Learn to Solder!
Robot Corral
Northwest Corner
Competing FIRST Robotics Teams
Vehicle Static Display
Northeast Corner
Johnston Amateur Radio Society's EmComm Vehicle
IEEE Emergency Response Vehicle

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