The ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, commonly known as the Yuma Hamfest, was held February 27 & 28 at the Yuma County Fairgrounds in Yuma, AZ. The PAPA System has been a longtime supporter of this annual event and PAPA members play a significant role by participating on many levels.
Because of the early start time on Friday morning, and the requirement to set up the PAPA booth in the exhibition hall, many PAPA members traveled to Yuma on Thursday. An informal get together was held at the Texas Roadhouse Thursday evening to discuss event plans and celebrate the 88th birthday of Cecil, WD6FZA. The restaurant patrons let out a Texas sized “yeehaw” to honor Cecil as he rode the stationary saddle. Happy Birthday Cecil!
The PAPA booth consisted of three consecutive tables near the entrance to the exhibit hall. Our team consisted of Ivo – KO6BKX, RJ – KM6AVH, Darren – WD6USN, Robert – K6YZF, David – KO6BAF, Michael – AF6FB, Bryan – WT6T and Lew – K2VGE.
Michael AF6FB took on multiple roles including scheduling PAPA volunteers for the event organizer and leading not one, but two technical seminars. Thanks to our PAPA volunteers for making the hamfest successful for our club and the amateur community.
With a focus on creating PAPASYS awareness and raising funds to support the club, the booth messaged the coverage of our repeater network and offered equipment donations for sale. In the leadup to the event, PAPA members donated unused amateur radio equipment that was sold to support ongoing operations and technical improvements of our network. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible. If you have equipment that you’d like to donate to the club, contact Cecil or bring it to any of the monthly regular meetings.
After an exciting first day of the Convention, PAPA members gathered for a dinner at Da Boyz Italian Cuisine. The dinner was sold out and we even had to add an overflow table. Make sure to make your reservation early for 2027 to be part of this good time.
Saturday was packed with attendees in the exhibit hall, outdoor swapmeet and technical seminars. Attendance was good and the weather was mild. Yuma is an easy drive from the SoCal area and you will have PAPA coverage for the entire journey. In fact, this was the first time that our recently installed repeater at Black Mtn (PAPA 40) was used by members at the Yuma Hamfest. Expect handheld coverage around the Fairgrounds when you attend in 2027.
After an early breakfast on Sunday morning, members of the PAPASYS TechTeam headed for the Black Mtn. repeater site to install a backup battery system. Mordy – N6MND, donated two 300 A/h batteries to the club and we installed them, along with a 2000 W charger/inverter, at the site to provide extended off-grid operations of the repeater. Thanks to Marvin – W6MJM, for donating his time and materials to wire the system together for us.
The 2027 ARRL Southwestern Division Convention will be held again in Yuma at the end of February. You can make it a day trip, overnight in a hotel, or bring your motorhome. Mark you calendar and plan to attend with your fellow PAPASYS members. We hope to see you there!
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