- Hamvention is a no-fly-zone. No person shall fly or participate in the action of flying any type of remote-controlled aircraft, anywhere in any building or in the airspace above the Greene County Fairgrounds Complex.
- Any and all powered and non-powered means of personal transportation, other than Hamvention authorized/required handicapped vehicles, area strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, golf carts and Segways.
- Except for registered working assistance animals, pets are not permitted.
- By attending Hamvention®, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending Hamvention®, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and covenant not to sue and agree not to hold the Dayton Amateur Radio Association, Hamvention®, American Radio Relay League, Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center or any of their directors, officers, employees, contractors, vendors or volunteers liable for any illness or injury. While the Dayton Amateur Radio Association implements preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with Federal, State and Local guidelines, we cannot guarantee that attendees will not become infected with COVID-19 as a result of attendance.
Hamvention Rules
If you didn’t find your answer elsewhere. Maybe you’ll find it here! These are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions we’ve fielded since last years show. If you have a question you think should be added, please email media@hamvention.org.
Looking for exhibitor FAQ’s? Those are here
Can the shuttles handle power scooters?
A majority of buses are equipped for ADA transportation. Guests with power scooters may have to wait for a properly equipped bus to arrive. The bus company is in contact with all their buses via business band radios and may be able to dispatch a lift equipped bus.
Xenia HS remote parking is the preferred location for Guests with scooters.
Do you have ADA parking?
Yes! We have close to a thousand ADA spaces, most of which are on grass. They can be accessed either through Gate 3 or Gate 4 off Fairground Rd. You must have a state issued placard or license plate. Please have these visible before entering Gate 3 or Gate 4 off Fairground Rd. No claims of ADA compliance will be honored without a state issued placard or license plate. Space is available on a first come first served basis.
Is the ADA parking near the scooters?
Scooter rental is in the center of the two ADA lots near the main entrance to the show. The farthest ADA space is approximately 700′ from the scooter rental.
Transportation is available for offsite parking to the Scooter rental tent
Can I have a weapon in the flea market?
No firearms or weapons are permitted on the Greene County Fairgrounds complex property.
There are NO EXCEPTIONS.
I need to pick up things from the Flea Market, where do I go?
A Will-Call tent near the Flea Market, with a claim check system, will be available for people making purchases that are too large to take to their car. This Will-Call booth is located between Gate 1 and Gate 2, just inside the fence. A claim check can be acquired at the Flea Market office and guests can leave their purchases at the Will-Call booth. After getting their car, the claim check can then be used to enter Gate 2, to pick up their equipment, after which they will exit through Gate 1.
Be sure to obtain the Flea Market Will-Call claim check from the Flea Market Office BEFORE leaving to pick up your vehicle.
**No access to the Flea Market area will be granted to any Will-Call claim check holders.
I have a motorcycle, where do I park?
Please enter in Gate 4. Motorcycle parking is in the paved parking area just inside Gates 4. Vehicles parked outside marked areas will be towed.
If it rains or if the parking area is all mud, what parking will be available at the show?
The determination whether on-site, non-ADA parking will be available for guests will be made on Wednesday or Thursday by Greene County. Their decision will be carried out by Hamvention staff and security. Listen to Talk-In (146.94-) for the latest information. If heavy rain is forecasted, then non-ADA guests and ADA overflow will need to park at Remote Parking locations. See the locations on the Parking page. See the FAQ “Can the shuttles handle power scooters?”
Committee and Media will continue to use their lots. Enforcement will be stepped up to ensure proper hanger passes are displayed. Long-term, we are exploring options to improve drainage and parking areas. ADA will likely remain on the grass.
Where do I go if the parking is full?
Remote parking and taking the free shuttle bus is the best way to go even if the parking is not full. Please familiarize yourself with alternate parking locations before driving to the show as the on-site lots may become full before you arrive. Visit the Parking page for more information. Listen to Talk-In (146. 94-) for the latest information.
I am bringing a tour bus, heavy truck or camper, where can I park?
Large Vehicle Long term parking: Large vehicles will be accommodated on paved parking area in the rear of the parking field. Take Fairground Road to Purcell Avenue then right onto Alameda Drive. Enter Gate 5 and park where directed in the paved parking area.
Tour Bus Drop-off(optional): Enter Gate 3 and follow bus route. Tour buses will be permitted to discharge passengers nearer the show. However, it is recommended to park your bus in the Large Vehicle Long term parking listed above and utilize the Golf Cart shuttles to navigate to the show. Parking first will help your passengers easily find you after the show. Campers, large vehicles and trucks parked in the transportation bus station will be towed.
I am a Volunteer working at the show, where do I park?
Volunteer parking has a new location for 2024. Volunteers will enter Gate 4 as they have in the last couple years. From there we will direct volunteers to park in the Drake lot, which is the grass field behind the pool building, and near the golf carts, scooters, playground and tennis courts. Volunteers arriving before 7:30AM might be directed to ICOM until the parking volunteers are operating at full strength.
Some additional options for volunteers are:
- The Heathkit lot, accessed from Alameda Drive, is underutilized and convenient to US-68. This lot is the furthest from the main gate, so consider taking one of the golf cart shuttles.
- There is a small lot in the grass at James Ranch on the south side of Fairgrounds Road.
- Any of the general admission parking areas, including those located off-site (allow for travel time if taking shuttle buses).
- For those with an ADA license plate or window placard, the ADA parking can be used.
I am a long-haul trucker and want to stay in my vehicle, what do I do?
The city of Xenia has overnight truck parking located at their service garage facilities 757 Towler Road. No shuttle service will be available from this location. Details for parking are on the Parking Page.
I want to stay in my camper or vehicle in the parking lot, where can I do this?
Greene County Sheriff will NOT allow overnight camping in vehicles in the parking areas and the Flea Market. Deputies will be patrolling to enforce this regulation. Campgrounds are available on the Fairgrounds property through the Greene County Expo Center. Visit their website: https://greenecoexpocenter.com/events/hamvention
If I get stuck or need a jump or have a flat, how will I get out?
Hamvention has contracted on-site motor assistance for guests with minor motor vehicle problems such as jumps, out of gas, flat tires, etc. This is provided without charge to our guests.
Contact any police officer, committee member, lot attendant, Talk-In (146. 94-) or golf cart driver to let us know where you are and what you need.
How do I get from my car to and from the show?
If you are parked at the remote sites, you will board a free shuttle bus to the on-site “bus station”. No ticket or pass is required for the buses.
At the station, you may ride a golf cart or walk 700 feet to the front gate of the show.
If you do not have a ticket, tickets for the show are available near the front gate.
If you parked on-site, there is a fleet of golf carts available to serve our guests. Don’t be shy to flag one down for a lift.
When and how often do the shuttle buses run?
Buses schedule is:
| Friday | 7am to 6pm |
| Saturday | 7am to 6pm |
| Sunday | 7am to 4:30pm |
There is no set scheduled frequency to the buses, each location operates on a dynamic basis depending on the available buses and numbers of riders.
Where do I buy a bus pass?
No such thing. Hamvention does not charge for the buses nor are there tickets or passes. Someone’s pulling your leg!
Where is the best place to park?
Remote parking is the best way to attend Hamvention. See here (coming soon) for a flyer of locations. Most locations have paved lots or stable earth surfaces. Xenia HS is close to the show and has large paved lots. There are other convenient locations detailed on our Parking Page.
What is the best way to get there?
Bicycle, seriously. There is a nationally acclaimed bike system with the Creekside Trail directly accessing to the show. Park your bike against the fence near the main gate.
If you’re not bicycle mobile we suggest the Remote Parking locations and using the free shuttle bus and tractors to the show. You’ll meet new hams, have fun and avoid the lines waiting to park.
Listen to Talk-In (146. 94-) to know which locations are full or open.
I am an inside Vendor, where do I park?
Parking for Vendors and their trucks is behind Buildings E1, E2 and E3. Vendor passes are issued through the Inside Exhibits Office and must be displayed at all times while at the show. Further information can be found in the Exhibitor FAQ’s.
My hotel has a shuttle service, where will it be located at the show?
Hotel shuttles are being asked to discharge passengers in the large vehicle parking area in the rear of the parking field. Take Fairground Road to Purcell Avenue then right onto Alameda Drive. Enter Gate 5 and discharge passengers where directed. Golf Cart shuttles will run between this lot and the show.
I am with the Media, where do I park?
Media will be receiving Committee parking passes from the Hamvention Media Committee and may park in Lot C – Enter Gate 4 (located between Gate 3 and Gate 4 near Fairground Road) Limited, 20 minute parking may be available next to the Media/Committee Services offices after the initial pedestrian rush of the day.
Am I going to be able to park where I did last year?
The short answer is, it depends. Parking is subject to change from year to year as needs change throughout the show. Some remote lots have changed. Please see our Parking Page for up to date information.
Where do I get the shuttle to the VE testing?
The VE Testing Shuttle stop is located between Gate 3 and Gate 4 near the Horseshoe pitch and building. If you are not attending the show, you may wish to park at the testing location itself. It is located at Memorial United Presbyterian church, 343 West Ankeney Mill Road just down the road from the show. Ankeney Mill changes names to Fairground Road near the church.
The shuttles run while the show is open and testing is in progress.
Do I need a ticket for each day I attend?
NO! Your one price ticket allows you to attend any and all days we are open for the current years event. We don’t charge by the day.
I ordered online so now what?
You should have seen and printed your “reservation” confirmation screen. This is your proof of purchase. We mail your actual tickets to you unless you provided other instructions on the order screen. Foreign orders, other than Canada, placed after April 23 will be available at the Will Call Window due to mailing time.
What if I ordered tickets but I do not get them?
If placed early enough prior to start of show and US or Canada you should receive them within two weeks or earlier. Our goal for credit card orders is two day turnaround. If not then please email tickets@hamvention.org providing your name, call, reservation id and a phone number to permit us to investigate.
I placed my order but got a white screen or did not get the reservation confirmation screen.
Your order probably did not complete. Email tickets@hamvention.org supplying last four of credit card and date you entered your order. We will check the card processor tomorrow verify your card was not charged. Hint, if you do not have a pending or completed charge within 2 hours then it probably did not complete the order.
Will it cost more if I wait and buy tickets on site?
Yes, tickets purchased at Hamvention will have an additional charge. Buy your tickets ahead of time to save.
How do I get my parking pass (Volunteer/Committee, Media, Flea Market, Vendor)?
The Chairman of the committee you’re working with should have it for you. If you’re picking up your volunteer materials at the show, you should take a bus from the remote parking locations or, if driving, park as a guest and proceed to the Media/Committee Services offices outside the main gate.
I am a Volunteer/Committee working at the show, where do I park?
Lot C (between Gate 3 and Gate 4 near Fairground Road)
Enter from Gate 4