An ARRL Orange Section Convention
April 25 – 27, 2025 • Big Bear Lake, CA
Join Us for a Fun-Filled Weekend for Amateur Radio Enthusiasts!
Yes, there is a new name! Big Bear HamEscapeTM. Join us in Big Bear Lake, California and escape to the forest, mountains and lake for a mini vacation for amateur radio enthusiasts.
Big Bear HamEscapeTM is filled with exciting activities, informative seminars, and great networking opportunities, all centered around amateur radio. The event will expand to accommodate twice the number of attendees from 2024 while maintaining the same intimate feel of the mountain venue.
Coming in 2025, ARES Bootcamp and Kids Zone.
Author Gordon West will be available for book signings. Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) and ARRL/ARES will return as active participants as well.
The Holiday Inn Resort, located at the entrance to the Big Bear Lake Village, will once again host the Big Bear HamEscapeTM.
Fun & Fellowship
Mingle with fellow amateur radio enthusiasts as well as Gordon West, Bob Turner and the YLR. Join the local Sea Cadets as the explore the hobby that is amateur radio.
Seminars & Tech Talk
Learn about emergency communications, overcoming mic-fright, ham equipment, solar panels and batteries and much more. There’s something for all levels of ham operators!
POTA/SOTA, Testing and More!
Parks on the Air/Summits on the Air, Emergency Comms for Special Events, ARES Bootcamp, Kids Zone, plus onsite Testing with K6DDZ! Don’t miss out on the fun!
Why Ham Radios?
When All Else Fails…
Ham radio is a licensed service that enables you to communicate with people around the world via a radio signal. Ham radios are used by recreational enthusiasts, but they are also an important means of communication during emergency and disaster events.
Ham radio signals can reach far beyond that of cell phones, personal radios and even CB radios.
Ham radios require licensing prior to operating on your own. There are three levels of ham radio licensing: Technician, General and Amateur Extra Licenses.
“Ham conventions are popular events in the amateur radio community. Over 700 ham radio operators converged on Quartzsite, AZ in January for a weeklong event camping off the grid on BLM land. Other events take place in San Ramon, CA, Dayton, OH, Huntsville, AL, and Orlando, FL. The idea is to promote a weekend escape to Big Bear and explore the ham radio hobby.
“We had so much fun with the first event! We welcome everyone back to Big Bear Lake in 2025.”
Dede Hermon
K6DDZ
Event Organizer
Join us for the
