Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Google Meet (invitation only)
We are holding most of our planning meetings online since we can practically guarantee participation and it saves us a lot of driving.
When we do have our in-person meetings, they are typically held at:
Winchester Street Dept Building
191 North Middle School Rd, Winchester, IN 47394
đź“» 2025 ECI Hamfest Recap
Another Hamfest is officially in the logbook — and despite a gloomy forecast, the day turned out far better than expected. The storms never materialized, the humidity stayed tolerable, and the crowd that did show up brought great energy.
Attendance dipped a bit, likely thanks to the forecast, and that may influence what we can offer in next year’s door‑prize lineup. Even so, we’re already exploring options and hoping for strong support — and maybe a little cooperation from the weather.
👍 Highlights & Lessons Learned
Technical issues from 2024 — Fixed. Everything ran smoother on the infrastructure side.
Tailgate audio needs improvement. One outdoor area struggled to hear announcements — we’ll correct that for 2026. We're talking about moving the entire tailgate area next to the main building.
Livestream overload. Four cameras proved too much for our current setup. Switching angles was nearly impossible, but we know exactly why and hopefully have a better plan for next year. It will be tested thoroughly prior to the event, but technology is what it is and we sometimes have to deal with it.
Vendor turnout was excellent. A strong mix of sellers made the event worthwhile for attendees and operators alike.
🎥 About the Livestream
Yes, we streamed the event — and yes, we hit some bumps. The good news is that every glitch had a clear cause, and we already have solutions lined up. Expect a noticeably smoother webcast in 2026.
Looking Ahead
We didn’t bring in as much revenue as usual last year which may affect the size of our grand prizes this year. But we’re adaptable, optimistic, and already working toward an even better ECI Hamfest 2026.
Repeaters:
145.210– (144.610 MHz input) – PL 97.4 Hz – Pennville, IN (Talk-in - currently off-line)
 443.475+ (448.475 MHz input) – PL 100.0 Hz – Portland, IN (Talk-in)
Simplex:
147.540 MHz
GMRS Channel 1
Note: While 147.540 MHz and GMRS Channel 1 aren’t typical talk-in channels, they’re handy for Hamfest info and guiding folks to the event.
Big thanks to our generous donors and vendors who contribute prizes — your support keeps the fun going without cutting into the prize pool. We’ll make sure attendees know where to find you!