MTARS, the Middle Tennessee Amateur Radio Society, will hold its annual “hamfest” on Friday March 7 from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday, March 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 208 West Lauderdale Street in Tullahoma. 

A “hamfest” is a gathering of amateur radio enthusiasts (also known as “hams”), and others with an interest in computers, electronics, and technology to buy, sell, and exchange amateur radio equipment, parts, computers, accessories, and information.  The hamfest is sanctioned by the American Radio Relay League, the national association for amateur radio and is the club’s major fundraiser of the year, which supports their education and emergency communications activities.

The doors will open for vendor setup on Friday at 2 p.m., and on Saturday at 6:30 a.m. Admission to the event is $10.00.  Vendor tables are $20 for each 8-foot table and $15.00 for a 6-foot table.  To reserve a table, please contact Mike Glennon, KB4JHU, by e-mail at kb4jhu@gmail.com or by phone at 931.588.0302.  For further information, please contact Chairman Mike Hamby, KI4UJY, by e-mail at ki4ujy@gmail.com or by phone at 931.581.4937.  The kitchen will be open for beverages Friday and breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages on Saturday.

In addition to the various displays, the hamfest will offer various seminars on amateur radio operation.    A number of door prizes will be given away throughout the day Saturday with the grand prize drawing at 1:00 PM.  Winners must be present to win.

An FCC amateur radio license examination session for Technician, General and Extra class will be offered Saturday at 9 a.m.  Examinees must secure a Federal Registration Number (FRN) from the Federal Communications Commission online at http://www.fcc.gov prior to appearing for a license examination.  The FRN and proper identification is required.  Those seeking to upgrade their license class should also provide a copy of their current license and any Certificate of Successful Completion of Element (CSCE) they may possess.  The cost of the examination is $15.  The FCC charges a fee of $35 for the issuance of a license.  

The Middle Tennessee Amateur Radio Society will hold their next regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room behind the First Presbyterian Church, 204 East Grundy Street, in Tullahoma.  The meeting room is accessible from the church parking lot off of East Lincoln Street.  The public is invited and welcome to attend.  MTARS is a self-supported non-profit organization.  For additional information, visit the club’s website at http://www.qsl.net/mtars, contact club president, Tina Rigsby, AK4AX, by e-mail at cmrigsby@gmail.com or mail to MTARS, PO Box 932, Tullahoma TN 37388-0932.