QSO Today

Back in August 2020, we envisioned the Virtual Ham Expo as a virtual substitute for a full-fledged amateur radio convention, complete with a bustling convention center, vendor booths, and an area for presentations on all things ham radio. However, what we found over six Expos and multiple experiments with virtual hosting technologies, was that our presentation strength shone through. Our Expo presentations were top-notch, offering an immense variety for a weekend conference, but the need for vendor exhibitor space faded as most ham radio vendors leaned more towards traditional "brick and mortar" styles.

In light of this, the Academy will zero in on enhancing these amateur radio presentations. We will use our sequel.io presentation rooms, equipped with the capacity to broadcast high-quality presentations to large audiences. These rooms also allow for audience participation, live Q&A sessions, and offer immediate playback of all recorded content.

While we're saying goodbye to the convention center and exhibitor hall, we'll be saying hello to a new form of vendor participation. Vendors will be invited to deliver presentations, engage in live forums, and conduct user meetings during Academy weekends. This will be complemented by roundtable discussions for any follow-up questions and answers.