WNY Section News – Updated 19 August 2025

Hamfest Review

The Roc City Net hamfest is up next! This Saturday August 23.

The KLARA hamfest went well last weekend (8-16). A nice location at the Friends of Howard Community Center. I was hungry so first thing was breakfast which was terrific! Nice to visit and talk to the KLARA members.

With the long drive home I visited Vineyard View Winery near Kauka Park. It amazes me how quiet it is there. The finger lakes region is home to many wineries. One of the great things about WNY.

The TCARA hamfest (8-2) at the Tompkins County Fairgrounds went well last week (August 9). The fairgrounds are really nice, the flea market and food were excellent! Matt K2EAG was there for POTA, always nice to talk to Matt.

Events

Initial report indicate that the Kopernik Observatory High Altitude Balloon launch and camp went well. See the ARRL news for more details. Many hams monitored the progress and tracked the balloon. A nice activity right here in WNY!.

The following is an excerpt from the original information provided by Matt K2EAG. For further details or additional information contact Matt K2EAG at email matt@brownbuffalo.com

200^th Anniversary of the Erie Canal

The Erie Canal turns 200 in 2025! We are excited to invite you and your club to join us for a special Parks on the Air (POTA) activation of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (POTA US-6532) in September. Experience the canal that transformed America and join amateur radio operators from across New York State as we activate the Heritage Corridor from September 16-25.

We're looking for as many clubs and individuals as possible to plan POTA activations within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (US-6532) over the 10 days. For those activating along the canal (which is encouraged), the Empire State Trail (US-8098) is a common two-fer you may wish to include. The Heritage Corridor is a large area that also includes Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, and even north of Albany.

We invite all surrounding amateur radio clubs and individual operators to join us in promoting Amateur Radio and Parks on the Air, as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal! Clubs are encouraged to make this event their own, engaging members and newer hams to participate, possibly creating a custom QSL card, and promoting their activity across social media.

73, Matt K2EAG, Angela N3ARB and Mike N2MAK

Note: This event is not sponsored by the Parks on The Air or the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor or the ARRL.

Hamfest Information

August 23, 2025
Roc City Net Hamfest at the Log Cabin Walworth NY

September 20, 2025

Bear Bait Radio Club tailgate fest at the Town of Clay Highway building, 4483 State Route 31 in Clay NY.

September 27, 2025

Amateur Radio Association of the Southern Tier. ARAST’s 50th Hamfest at the Chemung County Fairgrounds, Grand Central Av, Horseheads NY.

Check out the ARRL Hamfests and Conventions search tool for more information!

My ARRL email W2LC@arrl.org and W2LC@arrl.net have both been working!

73 Scott W2LC