Socorro Amateur Radio Association

2026 HAMFEST

Saturday, 11 July 2026, 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Socorro Convention Center

1220 Hwy 60 West

Socorro, New Mexico

Online registration is open!! Reservations Page

Schedule

Friday

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Setup for vendors (please contact treasurer@socorroara.org to arrange Friday setup).

Banquet: Doors open at 5:30 PM, buffet style dinner at 6:00 PM. Masonic Lodge, 1712 Leroy Pl. (corner of Leroy and Bullock), Socorro. Speaker: Pieter Kotzé (KJ5BYK), National Radio Astronomy Observatory, “ngVLA—First Light ~ First Fringe”.

Saturday

7:00 AM: Vendor setup

8:00 AM to 1:30 PM: Hamfest

Meetings

  • 9:00 AM: ARRL Meeting
  • 10:00 AM: ARES Meeting

11:00 AM VE Testing Session (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra). Bring:

  • $15.00 Testing fee (check or cash)
  • Valid Photo ID
  • You are REQUIRED to register in the FCC CORES and obtain an FRN
  • You must register for the session in advance (no walkins)
  • For details on registering for CORES, obtaining an FRN, and registering for the session, go to https://www.socorroara.org/ve-session/

Raffles hourly

You must be present for the hourly drawings to win. The final drawing will be at 1:30 PM and you need not be present to win.

Hourly prizes:

Bioenno LiFePO Battery 15Ahr
N3FJP Logging Software package
DXEngineering Gift Certificate $100
PhotoQSL QSL certificate
RT Systems programming certificate
ARRL Bookstore certificates (4?)
Walmart Gift Card
MINIPA70 70W SSB Linear HF Power Amplifier Kit with heatsink
The always popular Socorro HAM

Main Prizes (drawing at 1:30 PM, you need not be present to win)

IC-7300 HF/6M Transceiver
FTM-150 Dual band Mobile
Radioddity HF-009 Portable HF Antenna 6-60M 
µSDX+ Version 2 QRP,8 Band transceiver

Speakers

  • Henry Newton, KC5WYA – A PowerPoint Tour of the Underground AT&T Long Lines Relay Station at Socorro
  • Rick Lively, KI5GDB & Robert Collins, AI5NR – FT8 — Weak-Signal Digital DXing
  • Jim Boswell, KA5SIW – The Measuring Tape HF Antenna
  • Larry Goga, AE5CZ – A Review of the “µSDX+ Version 2” and other HF, 8-band, QRP, Software Defined Transceivers.
  • Jim Lommen, KC7QY – QSLing Today – I worked the DX, now how do I get a QSL?
  • Jason Burnfield, Society for Amateur Radio Astronomy – Observing the 21cm Hydrogen Line Signal from the Milky Way Using a Homemade Portable 1.5-Meter Mini-Dish
  • 12:00 PM: Dr. Juie Shetye, Assistant Professor of Astronomy at New Mexico State University and Science Lead at Sunspot Solar Observatory – How activity on the Sun can affect radio communication and why understanding these effects matters.

Demos (outside)

  • Amateur Radio Astronomy Antenna—Jason Burnfield

Display tables (inside)

Tailgate (parking area)

Food truck serving breakfast and lunch  (parking area)

 

Tailgate Space and Hamfest Tables

Purchase inside tables/tailgate spaces in addition to hamfest admission online

6 foot tables inside the center: $15 each, limited electricity available

Tailgating $10 on tarmac (no electricity)

Contact Information

TALK-IN 146.68(-)   PL 100Hz

Email: hamfest@socorroara.org

Accommodations

 

Comfort Inn & Suites, (575) 418-6207

Holiday Inn Express, (575-) 838-4600

Best Western Socorro Hotel & Suites, (575) 838-0556

Econolodge Inn & Suites, (575) 835-1500

Red Roof Inn Socorro, (575) 835-0276

Super 8 by Wyndham, (575) 835-4626

Days Inn by Wyndham, (575) 322-5795

Economy Inn, (575) 835-2263

Local Attractions

Places to Eat

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