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Hamfest Chattanooga 2026
Forums

Attending and participating in forums can be a great networking and learning experience for you.  We try to offer a variety of forums…hopefully, something for most everyone.

Our forum list is as follows (sorted alphabetically):

  • APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System).  Kenny Witt, KC4OJS, and Bill Lewis, KM4KMO, will present this forum on APRS, one of Ham Radio’s oldest and most successful communications tools.  APRS is alive and well combining radio communications and with (or without) the Internet/or AREDN using a single frequency concept.  APRS is an ingenius system capable of a variety of communications tasks.  Come and learn more about it.
  • AREDN Forum (Dewayne Siddon, KE4IDH).
    The Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network is an Internet-like network for Ham Radio operators to operate and deploy for emergencies, special events, training, and routine operations.  AREDN is a “mesh” network capable of establishing mesh islands providing a local or regional network to provide Internet-like email, linked-radio service, voice comms, telephone service, file-sharing, etc.  Come and learn about AREDN and the Southeast Tennessee Mesh Island.
AREDN
  • ARRL Forum.
    (David Norris, Director, ARRL Delta Division & David Thomas, ARRL TN Section Manager) will present the ARRL Forum.  Find out what’s new, what’s coming up, and ask questions about ARRL and how it can help you in your Ham Radio journey.
  • Battery Backup Power (David Wilson, KY4FH).
    Being able to operate when normal infrastructure fails or is compromised is of paramount importance to most radio operators.  Our presenter will help you identify the considerations for having your own battery backup capability.  David  (G-2017, AE-2021) is an electrical engineer with 30+ years experience in the lead-acid and lithium battery and charger industries.
  • SE-CPSA Risk-Based Communications Planning for Special Events (Dewayne Siddon, KE4IDH).
    Preparing for large scale public events are like “a calm-looking duck swimming across a pond, but below the surface, paddling like H_LL”.  Dewayne Siddon (    Co-Coordinator, Hamilton County Auxiliary Communications Service, ARES Emergency Coordinator, Southeast Tennessee Healthcare Net Coordinator) will guide you through a systematic methodology to planning public events.
  • Skywarn Forum.
    This forum is presented by our experienced Skywarn Team.  The Tennessee-Alabama-Georgia (TAG) Skywarn Team has partnered with the National Weather Service (NWS) for more years than we can remember.  The TAG Skywarn Team added GMRS to it’s communications capabilities and now hosts two Skywarn Nets per week…one on Ham Radio, the other on GMRS Radio.  The TAG Skywarn Net offers frequent on-air training opportunities and face-to-face meetups to unite our Skywarn Family.  Come learn and meet one of the best Skywarn Teams.
Skywarn

Tactical Comms. (Colt Helton, K0AMT)
Colt Helton (K0AMT), known online as Colt45MHz, specializes in EmComm—Emergency Communications—with a focus on practical emergency preparedness and resilient communications. Through his Instagram platform, @Colt45MHz, he has built a community of more than 90,000 followers centered around radio communications, preparedness, and communications technology.  Come and learn more about emergency & tactical communications.