June 29, 2026
Visitors from 59 countries made Friedrichshafen a meeting place for the amateur radio and astronomy communities. From June 26 to 28, 2026, 13,100 visitors attended Ham Radio and Astro, which was held in parallel at the exhibition grounds for the first time. The trade fair for astronomy, astrophotography, and observation technology complemented the 49th International Amateur Radio Exhibition and forged new links between the two communities. “The strong response to both events confirms that we have embarked on the right path with this combination,” says Klaus Wellmann, Managing Director of Messe Friedrichshafen. Around 400 exhibitors from industry and associations presented the full spectrum of the amateur radio and astronomy sectors.
“What has distinguished Ham Radio for decades was also clearly palpable at this year’s edition: people came together, shared their knowledge, and discovered new topics together. The fact that Astro enriched this sense of community right from the start is especially gratifying,” summarizes Project Manager Petra Rathgeber. Rabea Rogge’s appearances attracted interested visitors from both specialist fields.
A meeting place for business and an avid community
In 2026, Ham Radio once again confirmed its position as Europe’s largest exhibition for amateur radio. Exhibitors reported high visitor numbers, in-depth technical discussions, and strong business results. “Above all, it’s the friendly visitors and the personal interaction with them that make this trade fair so special. We had many great and interesting conversations at our booth and enjoyed strong sales right from the very first day,” says Kristin Hanisch, Assistant to the Management Board of Aaronia AG. Jan Hauschildt, Managing Director of Hilberling GmbH, also draws a positive conclusion following his company’s 20th appearance at the trade fair in Friedrichshafen: “We had the opportunity to reconnect with many existing customers while also establishing valuable new contacts.” For him, Ham Radio is, above all, an international meeting place: “For radio enthusiasts, it’s a fantastic opportunity to get together and meet fellow operators from other countries.”
Stephanie Heine, Press Spokesperson for the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC), agrees: “What makes Ham Radio so special to me is that it’s much more than a trade fair. It’s Europe’s largest exhibition for amateur radio, of course, but above all, it’s a place where people come together.” She also highlights the strong participation in the Ham Rally by children and young people, as well as the excellent response to formats such as the teacher training course and Contest University. “Summer, sunshine, and Lake Constance have simply become part of the Ham Radio experience for many visitors,” Stephanie Heine concludes.
Successful premiere whets the appetite for more
The premiere of Astro was a great success with both exhibitors and visitors. “You could see the strong interest right from the start, with long queues at the ticket counters and a constant flow of visitors to our booth,” reports Berthold Wassmuth, Chairman of the Astronomical Association Bodensee (Astronomische Vereinigung Bodensee). What impressed him most was the interaction between the two communities: “We experienced a fascinating mix of amateur radio operators and astronomy enthusiasts. Both groups found plenty to enjoy.”
Melanie Huber, Head of Marketing at Baader Planetarium GmbH, also looks back on the weekend with great satisfaction: “We’re extremely pleased. To be honest, we never expected such a positive response. As this was the first Astro event, we’re absolutely delighted.” Products for solar observation and astrophotography were particularly popular. “The quality of the visitors was excellent. Many people already knew us and had traveled here specifically to meet us.” Kai von Schauroth, Managing Director of “astronomie – das Magazin” and Athos Centro Astronómico SL, also considers the premiere a great success: “There were far more amateur astronomers here than we had expected, and many Ham Radio visitors also showed great interest in our topics and products.” His conclusion is unequivocal: “Having been involved with Astro from the very beginning, it goes without saying that I’d be delighted to take part again next year.”
The next Ham Radio will take place again from 25 to 27 June 2027 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Astro will once again be held alongside Ham Radio.