[Editor’s note: Some of us are not familiar with The Big E. I did some searching, and it appears to be an event in West Springfield, MA. The URL later in this message took me to a website for 2022. If this is something in which you are interested in participating, please contact Larry (W1AST) for more information.]

We are doing another ham radio booth at the Big E this September. The dates are Friday, September 15th through Sunday, October 1st. The goal is to introduce Ham radio to the general public, show that it is still relevant, and to interest the public in signing up for ham courses. Just like last year there are two shifts per day with each one being 6 hours long. Each shift requires 3 people in the booth this year. We are making changes in the layout of the booth to make it more friendly to the public in the hopes to draw more people in.

We have applied for another ARDC grant and if we get it, we can reimburse the cost of admission and parking for everyone. We do hope to get another grant. Last year the booth spoke to approximately 1200 to 1300 people about Ham radio. We hope to do the same or more again this year. As clubs you are welcome to show your banner on the day or session you are there as well as bring a few items to showcase what your club is about to the public. We are asking that you spread the word to your club members and try to get a group together to staff the booth for a session or the whole day. OR just ask your club members to sign up for a session to help staffing the booth. Last year we have over 100 volunteers from clubs all over New England. Will your club be one of them this year? Please follow this link to sign up or if you are a club and want a certain day/session that is still available, please email Larry, W1AST direct at W1AST@arrl.net or if you have any questions about the booth. We do have a groups.io group at: https://groups.io/g/ProjectBigE

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvo1vUzuuJTHbTtDLeApQQD1m4ZzX9kVe_hF2416e6apho3g/viewform

Help to make this year’s Ham Radio Booth at the Big E a success, please volunteer! 73, Larry, W1AST