The 2026 event is coming soon! Make plans today.
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The second largest amateur radio convention in the United States, the Orlando HamCation, is coming up in just a few months, offering amazing opportunities for young hams to learn about how they can get more involved in the hobby.
The 2026 edition of HamCation runs Feb. 13-15 at the Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park. You can read more about it at the official website.
Having been at the conference a few times with my younger sister, there are some booths, sessions, and forums I would put on a list of things not to miss if you’re a young ham or attending with one (or even a soon-to-be young ham!). From the Youth Forum on Saturday morning to the special event station, there are plenty of things for young hams of any skill level to participate in and visit.
HamCation’s YOTA (Youth on the Air) booth is the perfect place for young hams and young people who are not yet licensed to learn more about amateur radio—particularly what young hams are interested in right now. It’s also a great place for young people to get to know each other. A number of the young amateur radio operators that I am friends with have used the YOTA booth at HamCation as a meeting point. We always devote some time there to visiting so we can hopefully meet other young hams.
I’ve also volunteered at the YOTA booth for a few years. From this perspective, it’s always enjoyable when young people come with questions about amateur radio and similar hobbies. We can help answer their questions and make them aware of opportunities in the amateur radio world that they would not have known about before.
HamCation has a well-rounded and engaging Youth Forum on Saturday morning that showcases young presenters with various areas of interest and expertise. Some of the past topics have been CW, school clubs, integrating amateur radio into Scouting and 4H groups, volunteering, and digital modes—all of which display a different area of amateur radio from the perspective of a young operator. I’ve been a presenter at the Youth Forum twice, and I really enjoyed sharing my interests in amateur radio, how I’ve pursued different goals and helped others enjoy the hobby, and my perspective on the hobby in general.
There is also a strong presence of the Scouting community (particularly Scouting America). Occasionally there is a booth dedicated to the intersection of Scouting and amateur radio. Scouting is often how young people find out about amateur radio or what piques their interest in the hobby, so if you’re attending HamCation, the Scouting groups there are a great way to introduce a young person to being a ham.
Another place young hams should visit is the ARRL booth. While not pertaining to only youth, the ARRL does have a number of programs for young hams, and they typically have a few youth outreach activities at major hamfests such as HamCation. They also frequently have youth outreach representatives and employees who are always willing to chat with young hams to learn more about the hobby from their perspective and make them aware of opportunities that exist.
One of my favorite parts of the event is the Get On The Air (GOTA) station. It is set up with a special event callsign, making it the perfect place for a young person to operate, whether they’re experienced on the air or have not yet made their first contact. The special event callsign is sure to draw in contacts from around the world, and you can gain some assisted (or unassisted) operating experience while encountering the pileups that a special event callsign always attracts!
With all of this programming for youth available, young people have plenty to do and see at HamCation. And if they have a specific interest in amateur radio, there’s probably a dedicated booth or session for whatever their interest may be as well.
