Here is a look back at SARC members and their selling table at Belvidere Hamfest 2026. For the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club, N9RJV, a hamfest is a chance to share an interest in radio, look over equipment, and spend time together away from the microphone.
The event, officially named Radio Expo 2026, took place on Sunday, September 27, at Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere, Illinois. Chicago FM Club published the event information and organized the hamfest.[1][2]
Event Snapshot
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Belvidere Hamfest / Radio Expo 2026 |
| Date | Sunday, September 27, 2026 |
| Location | Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 Illinois Route 76, Belvidere, Illinois 61008 |
| Hamfest organizer | Chicago FM Club |
| SARC participation | Club members and a selling table |
| Post idea | Brenda Fruhauf – KE9GGM |
| SARC organizer | Paul Meyes – KE9EJX |
| Who this recap is for | Members, visitors, new hams, operators, volunteers, and anyone curious about amateur radio |
The date, location, and hamfest organizer above are documented in the official event announcement and Radio Expo 2026 flyer. SARC participation and contributor details accompany this club recap.
A Look Around the Selling Tables
Brenda’s photographs show folding tables set up beside vehicles, with radios, microphones, coiled cable, electronic parts, and test equipment on display. Other views show people talking beside the tables and taking a moment to sit together.
There is plenty for a curious visitor to notice. Older radio equipment sits alongside smaller accessories and components. A closer photograph highlights two oscilloscopes among the items on display.
For a newer ham, a table like this offers a useful starting point: ask what an unfamiliar item does, how it connects to a station, or what to check before buying one. Meanwhile, an experienced operator can help explain the differences between equipment that is ready to use and equipment intended for a repair project.
Photo credit: SARC / Brenda Fruhauf – KE9GGM. The supplied photographs are marked “SARC Brenda Fruhauf – Belvidere Hamfest 2026.”
What Is a Hamfest?
A hamfest is a gathering for people interested in amateur radio, also called ham radio. The American Radio Relay League, or ARRL, describes hamfests as events that can include exhibits, educational sessions, and flea markets.[3]
For this event, the Radio Expo flyer advertised an indoor market, an outdoor flea market, radios, computers, electronics, and amateur radio license testing.[2] That mix gives visitors several ways to explore the hobby, whether they are looking for a particular part or simply learning what equipment is available.
Just as useful, a hamfest gives you a reason to start a conversation. A question about a microphone, an unfamiliar connector, or an older radio can lead to a practical explanation you can use at home.
Make Your Next Hamfest Visit Useful
Belvidere’s 2026 event has concluded. For a future outing, use these suggestions to plan your visit, and check the event organizer’s current announcement for dates, admission, seller arrangements, and testing details.
If You Are Browsing or Buying
- Bring a short list. Note the parts you need, the model of your radio, and any connector details.
- Set a budget. Leave room for missing cables, accessories, or repairs.
- Ask about condition. Find out what was tested, what is included, and whether any faults are known.
- Ask before handling equipment. Request a demonstration when one is available.
- Bring a fellow member. A second opinion can help you decide whether an item fits your plans.
If You Would Like to Sell or Volunteer
- Coordinate first. Before bringing items to a future shared SARC table, ask whether table space and helpers are being arranged.
- Label equipment clearly. Include the owner, asking price, included accessories, and known condition. Mark untested items as untested.
- Bring useful paperwork. Manuals and a brief description can help someone understand an unfamiliar item.
- Plan for the day. Bring water, suitable clothing, packing materials, and a chair if permitted.
- Offer a specific kind of help. Setup, greeting visitors, table coverage, and packing are useful tasks to discuss with the coordinator.
Suggested SARC Goals
| Member or visitor | Suggested goal | A practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| New ham | Learn to evaluate one type of equipment. | Ask an experienced member to explain what to check before buying. |
| Experienced operator | Share useful station knowledge. | Help a newer ham compare an item with their actual operating needs. |
| Builder or experimenter | Find parts for a defined project. | Bring a parts list with required values, dimensions, or connector types. |
| Seller | Help buyers make informed choices. | Prepare clear labels and describe known faults honestly. |
| Volunteer | Help a shared table run smoothly. | Agree on one task and a time to help. |
| Visitor or prospective member | Discover one part of amateur radio that interests you. | Introduce yourself and bring that interest to a SARC meeting. |
Give It a Try
Thank you to the SARC members who took part in Belvidere Hamfest 2026, to Brenda Fruhauf – KE9GGM for the post idea and photographs, and to Paul Meyes – KE9EJX for organizing SARC’s participation.
If you attended, share a favorite find, a useful conversation, or something you learned. If you missed it, bring your questions to a club meeting and ask about joining a future outing.
Start with a visit to SARC. Club meetings are open to everyone; you do not need to be a member or a licensed amateur radio operator.[4] Check the current meeting details, bring your curiosity, and come meet the people behind the call signs.
Visit a SARC meeting, share your hamfest finds, and ask about taking part in a future club outing.
References
- Radio Expo 2026. Chicago FM Club. Official event announcement with the date and venue.
↩ - Radio Expo 2026 Event Flyer. Chicago FM Club. Organizer information and advertised markets, equipment categories, and license testing.
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↩ - Hamfests and Conventions Calendar. ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio. Background on hamfests and a directory for finding future events.
↩ - Monthly Club Meetings. Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club. Meeting information and confirmation that visitors are welcome.
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