Holiday Suggestions for Those Who Need a Gift for a Ham Radio Operator

December is here again, and thankfully Hurricane Season ended on a whimper. While severe weather can strike any time, I think we are out of the woods for the moment. December brings with it a much more pleasant topic. What to buy your favorite ham radio operator for the holidays.

Luckily, the last month of the year also coincides with the start of Hamfest season. Hamfests are kind of like craft shows except that the main products are stuff specifically related to amateur radio. Antennas, radios, cables, and all the variety of gadgets and accessories that bring joy to the hearts of amateur radio aficionados will be found in profusion at the nearest hamfest. A listing of the upcoming events can be found at the American Radio Relay League’s web site and also on the local section website These two sites will point you in the right direction and admission to any of the local events is a nominal cost.

I should point out that the non-ham’s idea of the perfect gift for the licensed operator will often be very far afield of the choices the operator themselves would make. Therefore, it is wise to ask your ham for a shopping list before heading out to make your purchases. Sometimes the safest bet is the gift of money and let the ham do his or her own choosing. That is what I have requested of my family, even though my wife is also a ham radio operator.

Going to a hamfest is a fun excursion for a amateur radio operators. They get to put faces with call signs they may have talked to over the airwaves on an almost daily basis. They get to see and touch the latest in gear from the manufacturers and they get to pick up the various parts, gadgets, and supplies that are often unavailable anywhere else. They also find time to sit in on the various forums that are part and parcel of any large event of this type. There will be presentations on different modes of transmission, both digital and analog. There are meetings of the many organizations that are underpinned by amateur radio. There are talks on building your own gear and talks on how to operate with more skill — the list goes on forever.

For anyone who is not a ham, the whole event can be a little daunting, but all hams enjoy answering questions about their hobby and you may even find an aspect of amateur radio that appeals to you directly. Ham radio is deeply involved in public service. Indeed that was the original purpose for amateur radio. Many people who started their avocation in radio eventually turned it into a full time career as electronics engineers or professional broadcasting. In the meantime, most hams are dedicated to public service as communicators with their local Emergency Management operations. Amateur radio does not require any separate infrastructure unlike cell phones or the Internet, so amateur radio operators can communicate with each other and the outside world even when the phones are out and the power lines are on the ground.

Another source for gifts for the radio operator is the ARRL (American Radio Relay League). They have a very well stocked book store online and even stock various items of clothing, (think shirts, vests, jackets and hats) that will appeal to the ham operator. Even Radio Shack seems to have rediscovered their roots in ham radio and is re-emphasizing component parts and kits aimed at the ham radio market.

So, if you are shopping for a ham this year, or if you are one yourself, visit your local hamfest and have a ball.