Throughout its 62 years, the Dayton Hamvention® has showcased the best that Amateur Radio has to offer. Each year, a specific theme -- such as Amateur Radio clubs, global friendship or the advent of digital modes -- spotlights one of the many facets of the Amateur Radio Service. And when Hamvention opens on May 17, 2013, at Hara Arena, the 2013 theme DX Hamvention will reflect an important part of ham radio: the distant contact. “Hamvention is often an important DX destination for amateurs from all over the globe, Hamvention General Chairman Charles Kaiser, KD8JZR, explained. “Working DX is often a mix of magic, conditions and the diligent application of radio theory.”

Kaiser -- who served as Hamvention Assistant General Chairman in 2012 -- noted that many attendees to return each year to Dayton to meet other hams whom they have talked to on the radio. “The quest for that distant contact advances Amateur Radio on many levels,” he said. “This year, the Hamvention team is honoring DX in all of its forms.”

ARRL’s large exhibit area at Hamvention, ARRL EXPO, has always included significant attention for on-air DX activities and the participation of many international visitors. “In addition to our many activities at ARRL EXPO -- such as hands-on kit building, forums and membership services -- we are proud to support DXers from all over the world,” said ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. “We know hams appreciate our on-site QSL card checking services and enjoy being able to drop off their cards for the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau. In recent years, the ARRL exhibit area has included representatives the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and from our partner radio societies in the UK, Germany, Japan and Qatar.”

Jim Tiderman, N8IDS, will serve as the 2013 Hamvention Assistant General Chairman. “Jim has been active in Hamvention for many years, and he brings a natural leadership style to the Hamvention team,” Kaiser said. “I will be asking Jim to lead many important responsibilities to enhance the event. It is very important to note our team is all-volunteer and we continue to work in the spirit of collaboration.”

A number of key vendors have already committed to returning to Hamvention; the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates that the annual event produces an economic impact of about $4 million for Montgomery County, and nearly $10 million regionally. Hamvention, the world’s largest Amateur Radio gathering, brings about 25,000 people to the greater Dayton area. The three-day event -- scheduled for May 17-19 -- includes exhibits, a flea market, forums, education sessions and license exams.