JARL's Amateur Radio Festival (Ham Fair) was held at Tokyo International Exhibition Center "Tokyo Big Sight" over the weekend of August 23 and 24, 2003. This Japan's premier convention facility, offers 230,000 square meters of floor space in total. Ham Fair was held in the West Hall, one of the main exhibition halls. This year, there were 272 clubs including flea marketeers, special interest clubs, distributors, in addition to major Japanese manufacturers occupying the spaces surrounding "JARL Corner" where presentations, lectures and various member services were ongoing both days. The total number of visitors this year was 28,000.

Ham Fair aims at introducing amateur radio activities to the general public as well as promoting the exchange of information and friendship among radio amateurs. This year, the Fair received support from the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications as well as the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities, the Nihon Hoso Kyokai (NHK), the Yomiuri Shinbun, the Japan Radio Association, the Japan Amateur Radio Development Association (JARD), the Japan Amateur Radio Industries Association (JAIA), and many others.

The opening ceremony began with a welcome address by Mr. Shozo Hara, JA1AN, President of JARL, and the curtain went up on the 27th Ham Fair right after the customary tape cut ceremony.
From Left to Right:
*Mr. Takenobu Kaieda, JH1HNH, Chairman of Ham Fair Executive Committee
*Mr. Tokuzo Inoue, President of Japan Amateur Radio Industries Association
*Mr. Shozo Hara, JA1AN, President of JARL
*Mr. Wayne Mills, N7NG, ARRL Membership Services Manager
*Ms. Meralda Warren, VP6MW who came all the way from Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific.

8N1HAM The special commemorative station 8N1HAM was in active operation. JA1AN enjoyed the first QSO with foreign guests right after opening ceremony. More than 250 radio operators communicated with roughly 9,500 amateur radio stations in and out of Japan. Big antennas on crank-up towers. 8N1HAM operated through the fair.

Event Corner

Many lectures and presentations were conducted. Ham Fair is also a place to learn.

D-STAR Project

DXCC Card Checking

A lot More to See, Enjoy and Learn in Ham Fair!!

Eye Ball QSO Party

Guests enjoyed singing by Ms. Meralda Warren, VP6MW.

The annual Eye Ball QSO Party was held in the Washington Hotel near Ham Fair site. A welcome address by Mr. Shozo Hara, JA1AN was made and it was followed by speeches given by the honorary guest, Mr. Masahiko Tominaga, MPHPT.
Distinguished guests such as Mr. Tokuzo Inoue, President of Japan Amateur Radio Industries Association, Mr. Wayne Mills, N7NG, ARRL Membership Services Manager, Ms. Meralda Warren, VP6MW and many others from abroad were also invited to the party.