Experience the Largest All-Indoor Hamfest
on the East Coast
and the 2025 ARRL North Carolina State Convention
Brought to you by the
Raleigh Amateur Radio
Society
Features
- All Indoors, Climate Controlled
- 100,000 Sq. Ft. (about the same size as Huntsville)
- Commercial Dealer Booths and Tables
- Huge Flea Market with 230+ Tables
- Drive Up to Your Booth or Table for Set-Up and Takedown
- Get Licensed or Level-Up at our Free License Exams
- Door Prizes!
- ARRL Division and Section Forums
- QSL Card Checking at the ARRL Booth
- Educational Forums
- Satellite Demo
- Communications Vehicle Static Display
- SKYWARN® Spotter Training
- Talk-In on 146.64 MHz -0.6 offset, no tone
- FREE PARKING!
When & Where
April 5, 2025
8:00 AM — 3:00 PM
The Jim Graham Building
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
Raleigh, NC
See here for directions
Door Prizes!
Grand Prize
Yaesu FTDX10 HF RadioFirst Prize
Yaesu FTM-500DR FM/C4FMDual Band Mobile
“Early Bird” Prize
ICOM IC-2730A Dual Band MobileVolunteer Prize
Yaesu FT-70DR Dual Band Handheld RadioPLUS! Hourly drawings for other fabulous prizes!
See the Door Prizes page for details. Complimentary tickets are not eligible for prize drawings (except that RARSfest Volunteers are eligible for the Volunteer Prize as described).
Cousin's Confections has food and beverages for sale in the restaurant area, including assorted Danish; sausage, bacon and ham biscuits; assorted juices; and fresh brewed coffee for breakfast; and burgers, hot dogs, BBQ pork sandwiches, assorted wraps, soft drinks, and lemonade for lunch! The restaurant opens at 7:30 AM so people waiting in line before the hamfest starts can get a beverage and a snack while they are waiting. Once the hamfest starts at 8:00 AM, the restaurant is accessible only from the show floor.
General Admission
- $10 during the “Early Bird” period from January 30 through March 29
- There will be a special prize drawing for people who buy their tickets during the “Early Bird” period
- $12 after March 29
- Admission for attendees age 16 and under continues to be complimentary when accompanied by a paying adult
- Admission also continues to be complimentary for anyone earning their first amateur radio license at our license exam session. Details at the exam session.
- Use the main entrances to the Jim Graham Building
See here for details and to order on-line from January 30 through March 29, 2025.
Commercial Area
- For commercial sellers of new amateur radio and related equipment, and non-commercial exhibitors
- Located in a prime traffic area at the front of the show floor
- Your choice of attractive 10' x 10' booth space or eight-foot tables in a custom arrangement (space permitting)
- The Dealer Package with 2025 pricing will be available in January
- Power drops available (bring your own extension cords, distribution boxes, etc.)
- Reasonably priced
- Easy setup and take-down—drive to your space!
- Use the load-in (a/k/a "Flea Market") entrance to the Jim Graham Building
See here for details, including how to request space in the Commercial Area. The deadline for ordering is March 29, 2025, one week prior to RARSfest.
Flea Market
- For clubs and non-commercial sellers of used amateur radio and related equipment
- Eight-foot table with two chairs
- $23 from January 30 through March 29
- $27 after March 29
- 120 VAC Power—$25 per connection. Bring your own extension cords (at least 50 feet)
- Prices do not include admission. You must purchase general admission tickets separately.
- Use the load-in (a/k/a "Flea Market") entrance to the Jim Graham Building
to keep up to date!
If you use webmail, send a blank email with the subject "Subscribe" to rarsfest at rars.org. Add rarsfest@rars.ccsend.com to your safe senders list.