Seminar Schedule
This is the seminar schedule for the 2026 Yuma Hamfest & ARRL SW Division Convention.
Kristen McIntyre, K6WX, ARRL First Vice President will be the MC for the Yuma Hamfest BBQ Dinner.
Kristen has been interested in radio since she was about 5 years old. She started in Amateur Radio in 1979 getting her ticket while at MIT. Kristen has worked in many diverse areas from analog circuit design to image processing to starting and running an ISP. She is currently working at Apple in Core Networking, and spent many years at Sun Microsystems Laboratories where she was researching robustness and emergent properties of large distributed computer systems. She is a long time denizen of Silicon Valley and has worked at or consulted for many of the usual suspects. Kristen is an active ham and loves to chase DX on HF with her Elecraft K4 and modest station in an urban setting. She is ARRL First Vice President, former Pacific Division Director, past president of the Palo Alto Amateur Radio Assoc., past Q&A columnist for Nuts and Volts magazine, and is active in many local clubs. Kristen was recently inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. She is also an Instrument Rated Private Pilot.
Seminar Room 1 (Fine Arts Building) Updated 02/17/2026
Friday Feb. 27
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Kit Building Techniques for Success Joe Eisenberg (K0NEB)
A look at hints and tips for kit builders from beginners to advanced. We look at the proper tools, test equipment and work surface needed to have the best chance at success enjoying this very rewarding part of amateur radio.
Friday Feb. 27
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
VSWR and NANO VNAs Carl Foster (KB7AZ)
Review of VSWR how it affects transmitting and receiving and followed by how to measure VSWR using an inexpensive Nano VNA.
Friday Feb. 27
3:40 PM - 4:40 PM
ABC's of RFI for Hams
Bob Brehm (AK6R)
Is your transmitter the SOURCE of RFI affecting electronic devices in your own house or your neighbor’s house? Are you the VICTIM of RFI from your own electronic devices or from devices in your neighborhood? Do you want to reduce your receiver noise floor so you can hear local contacts and more DX?
If you answered YES to any of these questions and would you like to find a quick and easy solution, then you should attend this presentation.
Saturday Feb. 28
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Meshtastic vs Meshcore
Michael Rickey (AF6FB)
This talk will give a basic overview of the underlying technology (LoRa), the similarities and differences between Meshtastic and Meshcore, as well as some recommendations for which to use if different scenarios. I will also have a variety of devices to show.
Saturday Feb. 28
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
FlexRadio - Aurora The Future of Ham Radio Steve Hicks (N5AC) CTO & VP Engineering
Join us as Steve Hicks, FlexRadio CTO, N5AC, presents an exclusive look at the new Aurora transceiver from FlexRadio, Inc. Drawing on his technical expertise and leadership in software-defined radio innovation, Steve will highlight how Aurora sets a new standard in performance, advanced signal processing, and operator flexibility. Discover how these cutting-edge features deliver real-world benefits for the amateur radio community.
Saturday Feb. 28
11:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Are you compliant with FCC RF exposure rules? Carl Foster (KB7AZ)
Carl, KB7AZ, is the Arizona Section Technical Coordinator. He will present the new rules and how to be compliant with those rules. Compliance is not difficult, but just takes a little time and effort.
Saturday Feb. 28
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Slow Scan Television (SSTV) Carl Foster (KB7AZ)
SSTV is another mode of amateur radio communication. The first SSTV images were displayed on a long-persistence phosphor CRT. Today amateurs can send and receive color images across the country, and around the world. As Cycle 25 improves propagation, working DX on SSTV will be possible on the HF bands. This seminar will show how easy it is to get on the air with SSTV using the same setup that is used for FT8 and AFSK RTTY. All that is required is a computer with a sound card interface to a transceiver. The software is free and easy to set up. Sending and receiving color pictures on the HF bands is a great addition to CW, SSB, RTTY, and digital modes.
Saturday Feb. 28
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
Consumer Electronics Show 2026 Joe Eisenberg (K0NEB)
Joe will share his experience at the Consumer Electronics Show 2026 in Las Vegas. Included will be the up and coming and new innovations. Joe will have a slideshow of his experience.
Saturday Feb. 28
3:40 PM - 5:00 PM
ARRL Updates and Forum
Dick Norton (N6AA) ARRL Southwestern Division Director
The Southwestern Division Director and other ARRL officers will provide updates and lead the ARRL Forum. The forum is an opportunity for hams to find out about new developments within the ARRL, and to get their questions answered by their ARRL leadership. It is open to all hams and discussion and feedback are welcome.
Seminar Room 2 (4H Building)
Friday Feb. 27
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
End Fed Antenna Secrets for Portable, Emergency and Stealth Installations Bob Brehm (AK6R)
Learn how to select, choose and setup an end fed antenna system that works on multiple bands, is stealthy and radiates well at low heights. Find out the secrets of antenna matching, reducing RFI and minimizing noise present on many end fed antennas. Example installations and antenna dimensions will be shown for 160-6 meter operations.
Friday Feb. 27
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
Red Cross Ready Red Cross
Everyone knows the Red Cross helps people during emergencies. But you may not know that it’s also part of our mission to help you help yourself! Becoming “Red Cross Ready” for an emergency means following our simple steps in advance to ensure you can weather a crisis safely and comfortably. This session will offer tips on building a kit to prepare for various emergencies like wildfires, flash floods or earthquakes. Being prepared may not prevent a disaster, but it will give you confidence to meet the challenge.
Friday Feb. 27
3:40 PM - 4:40 PM
Red Cross-Hands Only CPR Red Cross
Recent studies report about 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. People who survive a cardiac emergency are often helped by a bystander. In this short, free session, you can learn how to perform Hands-Only CPR – so that you can help deliver life-saving care until professional responders arrive.
Saturday Feb. 28
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Wheels On The Air (WOTA)
A mobility forward twist on ham radio activations
Grant Madden (KO6IHG)
Members of the Amateur Radio Club of El Cajon, CA. convert access and functional-need amateur radio operators into contest rovers utilizing only public transportation. This seminar outlines mission planning using the Incident Command System (ICS), explores expanded ARRL rules, and examines the real-world challenges of coordinating operations across disabled and public transit systems. The After Action Report will provide a practical, repeatable template for other amateur radio clubs seeking inclusive, mobility-forward activations.
Saturday Feb. 28
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Remote DXpeditioning Ned Stearns (AA7A)
The Radio-In-a-Box (RIB) technology has made a big impact in the DX (and contesting) realm. Its use in high-profile DXpeditions has changed the DXing
game forever. The use of RIBs in DXpeditions can provide numerous benefits such as reduced project costs, lower environmental impact and safer operations. The “Remote DXpedition” presentation will provide AA7A’s perspective on the nearly seven-year development effort of the RIB concept and other emerging technologies and how their application to DXing is an exciting step forward in amateur radio.
Saturday Feb. 28
11:40 AM - 12:40 PM
A Life of Ham Radio Adventures Lee Finkel (KY7M)
An active DXer and contester, first licensed as WN9EBT in Chicago in 1962. He is Top of DXCC Honor Roll with all 340 current entities confirmed, has 3,030 entities confirmed in DXCC Challenge, and holds 5 Band Worked All Zones (5BWAZ). An avid CW operator, Lee is a member of both FOC and CWops but has also been very active on digital modes in recent years. Lee will talk about his path in ham radio from building a Knight-Kit SpanMaster in 1960 to honing his CW skills in high school by handling messages for the National Traffic System and on through his evolution as a DXer and contester to becoming a pioneer today in the evolution of remote station operation.
Saturday Feb. 28
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Transformers, More Than Meets the Eye Kristen McIntyre (K6WX) ARRL 1st Vice President
The lowly transformer. It doesn’t get much attention. We mostly know what it does when we poke it with some voltage or current, but what is really going on? Let’s talk about it from Maxwell on up, and see if we can understand these simple, yet deep devices. You might be surprised at what they can do and how they do it.
Saturday Feb. 28
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
Vero Telecom Radio (VGC NR-7x Radios) Michael Rickey (AF6FB)
Vero makes mobile and handheld radios with some unique capabilities and an affordable price. This talk will discuss the radios from VGC and the other brands with compatible radios. These radios are unique in that they offer programming via a mobile app, APRS, network channels, text messaging, satellite operations, Bluetooth TNC, and more.
Saturday Feb. 28
3:40 PM - 5:00 PM
How to set up MMTTY and other RTTY software and get on the air Carl Foster (KB7AZ)
Amateurs have been using RTTY since the 1940s. Originally, they used mechanical machines to send and receive messages. Around 1980, they slowly switched to using computers to generate and receive RTTY signals. However, there are a lot of amateurs who still use machinery instead of computers. The over-the-air signals are the same, so it doesn’t matter which method you use. Learn how to easily set up a PC with an SSB transceiver to get on the air with this digital mode.
Hospitality Seminars - Old Theater Building
Friday Feb. 27
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Skywarn Spotter Training - Refresher
Tom Frieders - National Weather Service Ted Whittock - National Weather Service
A condensed version of the National Weather Service Skywarn Spotter Training Refresher. This refresher is recommended every other year in order to keep you up to date and informed as a Skywarn Spotter.
Friday Feb. 27
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Rope Baskets
Patti Tellechia Rope Art By Patti T
I became interested in designs using rope and fabric two years ago when a friend shared what she had learned at a quilt store class. I was immediately hooked, and as my hubby says, addicted. Soon I had baskets, trivets, wall hangings and table runners galore! My favorite challenge is to create rope art that looks like pottery.
Come enjoy creating Rope Baskets with me!
Saturday Feb. 28
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Family Search
Marsha Spates
I am a Family Search Consultant. Over the years I have gathered many stories, pictures, and worked with Ancestory.com, Family Search and other genealogy sites. I hope I will be able answer your questions that you may have, how to begin, finding one special story, or that one relative you do not know anything about or are just curious who you look like. Come search with me!
Saturday Feb. 28
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Sewing Tips
Brenda Farris Brenda's Quilting Studio
Brenda’s Quilting Studio is a small, family owned, longarm quilting business located in the Yuma foothills area for over 20 years.
With a background in custom tailoring-including formals and wedding alterations-Brenda brings deep expertise in fabric, fit and finishing to all she does. Today, she is passionate about helping quilters of all skill levels achieve a beautiful, professional finish on their hand-created quilts. Come join Brenda for Sewing tips!
Saturday Feb. 28
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Chair Yoga
Michelle Estes Certified Yoga Teacher, 2025
Michelle has practiced yoga for over 15 years and became a certified yoga teacher in 2025.
Michelle is passionate about sharing the gift of yoga with others. Her classes welcome both beginners and seasoned yogis, offering a supportive space for self-discovery and growth—physically and spiritually. Her compassionate teaching style focuses on the whole client and their personal intention for practice. She strives to empower clients to explore their goals fully through self-awareness and the intentional development of mobility, range of motion, strength, and flexibility. Come try Chair Yoga with Michelle!