Voices from Ham Radio 2025 and the world of amateur radio:

Stephanie Heine, Press Spokesperson of the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC):

“Our slogan at this year’s Ham Radio was ‘Remote Radio – Connecting the World,’ and the event truly lived up to the ambitious promise of its theme. We brought the world together here at the exhibition grounds in Friedrichshafen. In general, the trade fair is always characterized by ‘summer, sun, and scenic Lake Constance’ and, naturally, a lot of amateur radio technology and the flea market. When I glanced around, I saw happy and satisfied faces everywhere, and it was clear that the dealers were doing good business. We at DARC are also very satisfied with how the fair went. Our new booth concept proved a complete success. The unique aspect of Ham Radio is that its event date has traditionally found a place in the calendars of radio amateurs, making it a fixed meeting point for everyone here. Of course, it also serves as a great conference venue where the latest trade fair innovations are showcased to a broad audience. Communication, technology, and sport are an integral part of life in Friedrichshafen.”

Michael Denzler, Second Chairman of the Lake Constance Astronomical Association:

“We received consistently positive feedback from visitors to Ham Radio. The audience responded with great interest, and the topic of astronomy was warmly welcomed. Fortunately, we were able to quickly expand our booth staff. This was essential because the new topic was so popular, leading to a steady stream of visitors and vibrant conversations. For me, that’s an extremely encouraging indication. The two themes also share areas of overlap. I would therefore be thrilled if this were to become a regular part of the community, as I believe that combining astronomy with Ham Radio could work very well. Many amateur radio operators are photography enthusiasts or even professional photographers and have suitable equipment at home that, with a few small modifications, can also be used effectively at night. In any case, I’m very enthusiastic because we had some great conversations. We ran out of flyers on the very first day, which I think is also a sign that the interest is there. The Friedrichshafen location is also excellent. The dealers who come here are naturally keen on the border triangle with its many affluent customers. The location of the exhibition grounds is ideal in this regard.”

Xuan Ma, Luso Japan Corporation:

“We had numerous engaging discussions about our products and the Tokyo Hamfair – and the quality of the contacts at our booth was excellent. We first visited in 2009 to present our antenna tower. At the time, a customer suggested that Ham Radio might be an excellent opportunity for us. Our large tower was something completely new in Europe at the time. Since then, we’ve made it a point to return to Friedrichshafen every year – and we’re already looking forward to returning next year.”

Lutz Heuschkel, Amateur Radio Department, Germany’s Federal Network Agency:

“The Federal Network Agency makes an important contribution at Ham Radio by serving as a key point of contact for radio enthusiasts and those interested in radio communication. Numerous questions were raised, particularly regarding remote operation, call sign allocation, and radio interference. A total of 79 visitors had participated in the amateur radio exams as of Saturday afternoon. At our booth, visitors could also learn more about training and career opportunities at the Federal Network Agency.”

Karl Brazier, Sales Manager at Yaesu UK Limited:

“We were very busy, especially on Friday. It felt like there were significantly more visitors than last year, given how busy our stand was. The days were marked by many good conversations. We really enjoy Friedrichshafen as an event location and travel all the way from the UK, even though there are no direct flights to the city’s airport. That’s unfortunate, but the trip to Ham Radio is definitely worth it. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”

René Lutz, owner of Lutz-Electronics KLG:

“Ham Radio went great for us. We always meet lots of new people here – friends and customers alike. The public’s interest remained so high the entire time that I didn’t even want to stop to take a coffee break, just so I could keep talking with the visitors a bit longer. You can sense the nature of the people at an event like this – and the people you’re talking to value the exchange with you as an exhibitor, too. This kind of business interaction is irreplaceable, fostering relationships that endure long beyond the duration of the fair. From my point of view, events like this sustain the community, and anyone who takes amateur radio seriously should make it a point to attend.”