The time was 0300 on 8/16/25 and the alarm clock began buzzing, indicating it was time to get up and head to Huntsville. It was a dark, foggy but warm morning. Some of the Sumner crew met up in a desolate parking lot at approximately 4am to start the gas powered multi-vehicle caravan down I65 to the 2025 Huntsville Hamfest!
This journey started with Richard, WA4YQC, Mike, K4VVA, Mike, K4TCE, Brian, NG2S, Jason, KN4VCW, Vincent, K4OZE and Jennifer, KS4ANE. 3 vehicles headed south stuck to each other like glue but detoured to grab some breakfast grub at Buc ee’s in Athans, Alabama.
With morning cravings satisfied and some quick shopping the cannonball run continued to Huntsville Alabama! A short time passed and we pulled into the parking lot around 0645. Walked around back and received our Vendor Passes. We met up with Tony, W1VS, and Jon, W4JDM, who ventured down the day before and participated in the Youtubers Lunch event at Monte Sano State Park Campground. Tom, W4UWO drove down the night before so he could be there first thing in the morning. He knows the good stuff goes early!
After setting up our tables the early hunt was on. A few scoured the tables that were already uncovered. A few early preview deals were secured but the best was yet to come.
As the day progressed, we were all in constat contact with each other on a P25 frequency. This proved invaluable as those selling gear were not glued to the tables. They were able to shop around and check out the new gear coming to market in the Vendor’s area. If anyone had any questions about something on the table they could be reached over the radio and answer questions or respond back for an in person sales pitch!
As I walked around and scoped out the “Boneyard”, as it was referred to, I ran across more SCARA members. Jamie, AA4K, was there. He was camping out for the weekend and looking for a new radio for a fellow Ham. After spending some time chit chatting with Jamie and going over some of the Meshtastic issues I was having he continued on. I ran into Jamie again and he was carrying the prize he was in search of, an Icom IC-7100, the model his friend was wanting.
Shortly after that I ran into Kevin, K4TNR, who was also camping out for the weekend. We talked a bit, and Kevin invited me to lunch. Some of the guys were meeting in the lobby at 12:30. Unfortunately time got away from me and when I checked the clock it was almost 1:30. A missed opportunity for sure but as always, a Thanks goes out to Kevin for the invite!
Some other club members that were there were Steve, AA8TJ, Jack, K0BW, Danny, KD4GON, Rick, KO4ULT, and Teresa, K4TAV. I am sure there were others, but this is all I can recall.
Some left earlier in the day, once they had had enough of the crowds. It was a busy day for sure with lots of attendees. Some stayed a bit later and yet some stayed into the later afternoon. By about 2:30 attendance at the fest has really dwindled and the Boneyard started to close for the day one table at a time.
Unfortunately, I was not able to sit in on any of the classes or seminars this year. I was too enticed by the Boneyard. I plan to spend time in some of the talks next year in 2026.
Of course the Celebrity Ham Radio Youtubers were at Huntsville. Some that I saw were Freddie Mac, a super nice guy who I spoke to him for a few minutes, Ham Radio Crash Course, Ham Radio 2.0, KM4ACK, Ham Radio Tube, Tank Radio, Ham Radio Duo, and Digital Rancher. They are easy to pick out as they walk around with their video recording gear and interviewing the Vendors looking for the inside scoop on newly released and upcoming gear. I am sure there were more that I missed.
By this time there were 4 of us left, and we were hungry. We drove over to Dreamland Bar*B*Que in Huntsville. Highly recommended!! After our BBQ craving was filled the day was over and the drive home began.
I spent the 2 hour drive home thinking about the day and the great deals. This was my 1st time attending the Huntsville Hamfest, the 3rd largest in the country. Being all indoors was nice as it was a hot day. I’ve been to Hamcation in Orlando and it was bigger, no doubt, but it was half indoors and half outdoors. While February is not too hot in Orlando any outdoor areas in Huntsville would have been a different experience. I thoroughly enjoyed Hamcation but Huntsville was the most fun I have ever had at a hamfest. Usually you walk through the swap and shop area, typically filled with the same old junk carted from hamfest to hamfest over the last 20 years for the same high prices. Huntsville was different. There was some of the same old stuff but there was a lot of good condition used gear, and new gear, at realistic prices. A good mix of stuff that could satisfy the sweet tooth of any ham. I think the “fun” was a combination of spending more time than just walking the aisles that a typical hamfest experience may be. Since we had tables we were able to take a seta and relax for a bit in between browsing. Also being there with a group, who was in constant communications keep things going. We knew what each was looking for and if we saw something of interest we would get on the air, like any ham worth his weight, and call over the friend that was looking for the item. This worked out with a few notable items at least!
Tom wound up grabbed a killer of a deal on a Yaesu FTM-500 mobile rig after some hard core negotiating. I am starting to become jealous of these awesome delas Tom is stumbling upon. He paid a fraction of the cost of even a used FTM-500. I will just say the final price ended in 00. Jon picked up a 1200 watt Yaesu amplifier and power supply for a sliver of its retail cost. This may very well be the best deal of Huntsville! Richard left with a new Motorola APX6000 HT. Jason grabbed a great multiband HF vertical antenna, one I had been keeping an eye out for years. Mike bought an assortment of all kinds of gear, Speaker Mics, mobile radio, HTs, antennas, etc. I was able to find a Heil Pro7 headset and a Kenwood TS-2000 radio for a song. There were other do dabs and what nots that came back to the Sumner County area but the list is far too long to type here.
Mike sold most of the gear he brought and Tony sold out everything, he drove home with an empty vehicle, aside from its occupants.
All in all the fest was great fun and a memorable experience for sure. If you have the time I highly recommend attending the next Huntsville Hamfest!
