2026 Hamvention® Awards Nomination process opens 1 October 2025, and will close 10 February 2026
Michael Kalter W8CI
The Hamvention awards chair Michael Kalter W8CI is pleased to announce the opening of the 2026 Hamvention Award nomination process. As in the past, this prestigious event will grant awards in the categories of Technical Achievement, Special Achievement, The Amateur Radio Operator of the Year and the Amateur Radio Club of the Year.
The Hamvention awards event has been a part of Hamvention since 1955. Over these years many deserving radio amateurs have been honored for their dedication and selfless contributions to our avocation and humankind.
The Technical Achievement Award will be given to a radio amateur who has made important contributions toward technical excellence in the world of amateur radio. Examples are inventions, processes, discoveries, experiments and other technical accomplishments or any outstanding technical achievement that contributed to our great avocation.
The Special Achievement Award will be given to a deserving amateur that has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the radio art and or science. This award is given to a respected amateur who spearheaded a single significant project or activity.
The Amateur of the Year Award is given to a radio amateur that has made a long-term commitment to the advancement of amateur radio. This individual will usually have a history of ham radio contributions and has had a dedication to service, professionalism, and the advancement of amateur radio.
The Club of the Year will be honored for demonstrating their involvement in varied aspects of amateur radio for the greater good of their community and/or their nation.
The above awards are given every year and represent the “best of the best” in the world of amateur radio.
Nominations will open on 1 October 2025 and close on 10 February 2026. Nomination forms on the hamvention.org site are offered for the appropriate nomination category. At a minimum, each form should be completed by the nominator with the information requested. Supporting information should be included as attachments. Please make sure that the nominating person is listed with a method to reach-back to them in the case of questions from
the nominating committee.
Forms may submit using the following methods:
- Email: Michael@michaelkalter.com
- US Postal Mail:
Hamvention
Attn: Awards Committee
PO Box 964
Dayton, OH 45401-0964
Soon after, the committee selection will take place, and an announcement by the committee will be made through selected media outlets. The winners will be posted with details on their accomplishments in the Hamvention program as well as the Hamvention website. An honors celebration and award presentation will be made on Saturday evening of Hamvention at a location yet to be announced. Presentations of the award winners will also be made at the general Hamvention audience on Sunday afternoon prior to the prize award activity.
Thank you and please address any questions to michael@michaelkalter.com
Best of Luck to all.