[Ground-station] What annual events should we focus on after Ham Expo?

[Michelle Thompson]

At this point, no one really knows when we (ORI) can safely return to
in-person events, or what events we need to do, or should do, to achieve
our goals.

I claim that we should keep trying to participate in events, and use them
as deadlines and opportunities to show working hardware and software. This
may not be held as true by everyone reading this, and I want to hear all
sides.

>From the point of view that "events are important and we should do them" -

We could hold our own online Symposium using AirMeet.

We have been welcomed and had a very good experience at DEFCON for years.
Very large amateur crowd. Our demonstrations have been understood and the
organizers want us back.

If Ham Expo turns out as positive as it seems to be so far, then we should
talk about attending again. The organizers have been wonderful.

I do not see us returning to Hamvention. We tried it multiple times. The
cost and the bad experiences 1) with the tent where "new" exhibits have
been placed, 2) big problems with another exhibitor harassing our
volunteers and 3) the very low level of engagement from attendees ... make
Hamvention an expensive and unproductive event for a high tech open source
group like us. I'm open to anyone wanting to continue to try, and will
support you,, but I am not enthusiastic about this event given our
experiences so far. The organizers have been very good to ORI. I have no
complaints about the organizers.

We were set to go to Tokyo Ham Fair. Covid interrupted this. I have never
been, but it is the largest in the world of its type. I was told our work
would be a good fit. If anyone that has been can comment, please do.

I have talked to people about Friedrichshafen. The SDR track was moved this
year to online GNU Radio event. Is Friedrichshafen a good place for us?

Hamcation has been a consistently positive experience for us. It's in
February in the US and might return to in person next year.

What other annual meetings am I missing?

If there was less covid concern, how should we organize our year?

-Michelle W5NYV
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