About ARExpo

Every once in a while, life hands you an opportunity that you know you just can't let go of. This is what happened to several Ham Radio Operators and how Amateur Radio Expo 2006 and 2007 came into being. In 2005, a few Ham Operators were approached by the Los Angeles County Fair and asked if they would be interested in having some space to demonstrate Amateur Radio to the guests attending the fair. Time was tight between the request and the start of the Fair but this group pulled together and gave the Fair and its guests a taste of what was to come.

When the Fair again offered the opportunity in 2006 with not only the same idea but more space and a request for an identity for the group, those few operators went out in search of reinforcements. We had almost 30 booth spaces to fill with amateur radio every weekend. After making lists of ideas and goals we decided that the only way to give such a diverse group an identity was to go back to basics. This is when Amateur Radio Expo 2006 was born. We had our identity, now we had to find a way to get that to translate into volunteers and equipment on the street. Fortunately for us, there were enough people interested that we felt comfortable revealing our concept to the world. That concept is to have as many aspects of Amateur Radio on display for the general public as we can. Postcards and emails were sent and lots of meetings were attended to help recruit what we needed. The Fair had given us both sides of Sycamore Street between two of the buildings for our efforts and boy did that street look big to us. We realized right away that this is not something that can be done by only one group, area, or location or any other recognizable boundary. And to truly be a showcase of our beloved hobby we needed all aspects represented in one way or another and not just a few. We started with a few organizations who committed to attending the Expo every day we were open. To this core group we added other groups and individuals on a per day or per weekend basis. This worked very well as it gave us a great deal of diversity without having too many people refuse to work because they could only commit to one day.

In order to promote the idea of having our own identity within the fair we decided that there would have to be some uniformity to the Expo. Our postcards had been printed on a bright green paper and it was decided that this would be our anchor color. All of our tables have to be covered and skirted to the ground so with the green for the tops and white for the skirts we had our color scheme. We asked for and received permission to hang bright green banners announcing the Expo at each end of the street. A picture of the street and banner is featured on our 2006 QSL card. We asked for N6E as a special event call sign and we also got the same call for 2007 which further adds to our identity as a group.

Who is our group? We are a group of believers in Amateur Radio. There are about 30 of us who made the commitment to the Expo and each other to do what we can to promote our hobby and present it to the public. Being at the Los Angeles County Fair is not a boundary of where we are from or who is involved, it is simply taking advantage of a captive audience that numbered about 1.4 million in 2006. We had radio operators and volunteers come from Nevada as well as all over the state of California to help us last year, and are looking for that and more for this next Expo. Just as radio waves cross boundaries, so to do those who organize and support the Amateur Radio Expo. As a loosely affiliated group by choice, our only source of funding is donations and the generosity of those who believe in what we are doing. We have no formal budget or income source to draw from. Please consider helping us in any way you can and most importantly come see the Amateur Radio Expo 2007. We are always open to new ideas and more people willing to join us in our efforts.