HomeNortheast HamXposition - Marlborough MA

NORTHEAST HamXposition, (HamX) (Quicklink: nescitech.org/hamx) (Youth Forum info below)

2026 DATES! – August 14-15-16, 2026 in Marlborough, MA.

The annual Northeast HamXposition, aka HamX, is held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road, Marlborough, MA. The event attracts hobbyists, makers, science and STEM enthusiasts, school and scout groups, and amateur radio operators from all over New England. Your admission ticket is good for all three days. Join us!

NEST, STARS, and NEWBS will attend HamX 2026

New England Sci-Tech (NEST), Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS), and New England Balloon Society (NEWBS) participate in the Northeast HamXposition in Marlborough each year.

We will host three booths in the Atrium on Fri-Sat-Sun, Kit Building Workshops, youth presentations of NEWBS balloon flight projects, and the Youth Forum.

STARS/NEST will help supervise youth members on Saturday if parents can't stay with them. Scouts must have their own parents or leaders for supervision.

STARS will have Club Tables at both the Friday Dinner and the Saturday Grand Banquet. Youth and Scouts are encouraged to join us. Select "STARS" table when you purchase your reservations. (Dinner purchasing closes August 4.)

NEST reimburses youth/scout admissions, lunch, and banquet tickets. See Youth/Scouts info below.

We need VOLUNTEERS for the booth and workshops. VOLUNTEER SIGNUP.

Convention Room Layout and Maps of Flea Market and Parking LINK HERE.

The Outdoor Flea Market at the NorthEast HamX

YOUTH/SCOUTS -- Parents and Leaders Please Read!

This HamX Youth Information on this web page is for all youth/scouts and parents/leaders to read. We want all attending youth to have a safe and enjoyable time.

How much does it cost to attend?

For youth/scouts under 18 years, NEST will reimburse admission and banquet fees. Although youth admission is free, we will pay for an admission ticket so that youth have a badge, souvenir lanyard, and ticket for door prizes. NEST will also reimburse each youth’s Friday and/or Saturday banquet ticket so that they may attend the dinners and hear the guest speakers. We will also give youth $10 cash for Saturday lunch.

PARENTS/LEADERS:

STEP 1 - First, order your tickets for the convention for you and your child/scout plus banquet tickets for either or both of you, if desired, and select “STARS” in the Club Table box for seating. You must order your own tickets - we do not provide them. (Deadline Aug 2 to order dinner tickets.)

STEP 2 - Next fill out this NEST HamX Youth Attendance Form to indicate your youth's/scout's attendance and to claim your admissions and banquet tickets refund. The General Admission ticket covers Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Friday and Saturday banquets are priced separately.

STEP 3 - Email a copy of your electronic ticket receipt(s) to info@nescitech.org for our records. (Reimbursement will be only if your youth attends the event or, in case of no-show, you get your tickets to us in time to offer them to someone else. No show and/or no tickets means no reimbursement.)

We will reimburse Youth Admissions $18, up to two banquets $59 each, and give youth $10 cash for Saturday lunch.

If you forgot to select the STARS table when you registered for the banquet, you can fix that by going to ticketing.hamx.org/groups/.

What is New England Sci-Tech’s involvement at HamX?

Our clubs host exhibitor booths in the Atrium, host workshops, and provide a destination for youth and families to gather and socialize during the day. Our club hosts the Youth Forum on Saturday.

What is the Youth Forum?

The Youth Forum is a tradition that we have hosted for many years. We invite as many youth of school and college age as possible to join a round-table discussion about what their interests are in STEM, electronics, radio, and how they see wireless technology and ham radio in their future. We would really like to have youth and scouts join us and invite parents and scout leaders to pose questions for discussion.

What may I do when I am not attending a break-out session?

You may visit the extensive flea market, go inside EmComm trailers, attend sessions, and stroll through the isles of exhibitors. Hang out with friends at the NEST/STARS booths in the Atrium or help with workshops. If staying at the hotel, there is the workout room, swimming pool, arcade room, or other hotel offerings.

What shall I do about other meals such as lunch and snacks?

Each person should bring cash for meals and snacks. The hotel opens a lunch buffet for a few hours on Saturday. You will have to eat quickly between forums and activities. You may also keep snacks with your personal belongings.

Should my child bring money for the flea market?

That’s up to youth and their parents. For responsible youth, a $50 or $100 allowance might be prudent, but don’t plan to spend it unless there is something you really need.

Can we let our child participate without parent supervision?

We encourage parents to attend with their children. Teens that are members of NEST may attend without parents if they have peer company, meaning at least two or more together in a group. NEST adult supervisors in the club will help keep an eye on youth participants, however, we are not running a school trip and can't watch them at all times. Youth members must agree to behave, stick together in a group, and check in regularly in the Atrium. If you have any questions, please ask.

May my child attend on Friday or Sunday as well?

Yes, but youth activities are somewhat limited on Friday and Sunday. Youth can help with our booth and our Kit Building Workshops, and attend the Friday dinner with us. The weekend begins Friday at noon and ends Sunday at 2:00 PM.

What are the youth rules?

- Check in regularly with one of our supervisors at the NEST/STARS booths in the Atrium.
- Join a group or pair up with a buddy. Stay with your buddy at all times.
- Be on your best behavior and be courteous to people who ask about your club.
- When you are ready to be picked up to go home, please have your parent/leader meet you at the NEST/STARS booths in the Atrium and check out with one of the supervisors.
- If you are staying for the banquet, you will check out with us at our booth in the Atrium at the conclusion of the program (approx. 9:30 pm).

How may I reach you or my child during the event?

You may call the NEST business line at 508-720-4179, which will ring on Bob’s cell phone at the convention. You can also TEXT Bob at his cell phone number (ask Bob for the number in advance).

2026 NEST/STARS FRIDAY

8:30-9:00 - Join us for breakfast in the restaurant.

9:00-12:00 - NEST/STARS/NEWBS booth setup.

12:00-5:00 - Explore the Flea Market or hang out at our booth. BYO Lunch.

2:00-5:00 - Kit Workshops at our booth in the Atrium.

5:00-6:00 - Unscheduled. If not staying for dinner, check out at our booth. Others play games or socialize in the Atrium.

6:30 - Doors Open - Don't be late or we may not be able to seat you at the STARS tables. Bring your Friday dinner ticket.

7:00-9:00 - Youth/scouts should sit together at any of the tables reserved for STARS, or they may sit with their parents.

8:00-9:00 - Guest Speaker Max Freedman, N4ML, is one of the next generation of Amateur Radio operators. Licensed in 2016, at age 12, he has become an active contester and DXer, a 2026 WRTC competitor, Caribbean Contesting Consortium Member, and has activated rare DXCC countries like Bouvet Island as part of the 3YØK team. Max is active member in the YCCC, NCDXF, INDEXA, SEDXC, and the local Newington Amateur Radio League. He has made a vocation out of his avocation, working full time at the ARRL’s Education and Learning Department. Max is involved in the Teacher’s Institute and other programs.

2026 NEST/STARS SATURDAY

8:30-9:00 - Join us for breakfast in the restaurant.

9:00-10:00 - Early-bird Check-ins: Youth, scouts, and families arrive and check in at NEST booth in Atrium. We will help youth without parents find a buddy.

9:00-12:00 - Visit any educational sessions, help at our booth, or peruse the flea market and EmComm vehicles. Kit Workshops at our booth.

11:00-12:00 - Check-ins: Youth, scouts, and families arrive and check in at NEST booth in Atrium. We will help youth without parents find a buddy. BYO lunch or purchase at the hotel. We will give all youth $10 cash for food.

12:00-12:50 - Explore the Flea Market, hang out at our booth, or attend Max's talk in Room W6.

1:00-1:50 - Radio Astronomy talk in Room W6.

2:00-2:50 - StratoScience talk in Room W6.

3:00-3:50 - Explore the Flea Market or hang out at our booth.

4:00-4:50 - YOUTH FORUM - Everyone please join us in the ATRIUM! There will be prizes.

5:00-6:00 - Game Night in the Atrium. If not staying for Banquet, check out at our booth during this time.

6:00-6:30 - Hang out at the booth in the Atrium, play games, socialize.

6:30 - Doors Open - Don't be late or we may not be able to seat you at the STARS tables. Bring your Saturday Banquet ticket.

7:00-9:00 - Grand Banquet. Youth/scouts sit together at any of the tables reserved for STARS or sit with their parents.

8:00-9:00 - 2026 Banquet Speaker: Katie Campbell, KE8LQR, epitomizes the very best of our next generation of radio amateurs. Katie was licensed in 2019 at ten years old in early middle school. Her predominant interests in amateur radio at the moment are CW and contesting. She’s an active member of the North Coast Contesters and the Bavarian Contest Club. Katie currently serves on the working group of Youth on the Air for the Americas as their public relations manager. Katie formerly taught classes for the Long Island CW Club kids program. She’s also served on the board of the Young Ladies Radio League as their youth representative. Katie has lived and attended school in Germany on a scholarship facilitated by the US Department of State. She is looking forward to starting college in the fall.

9:00-10:00 - Games in the Atrium. When leaving, please check out with us at the banquet or in the Atrium.

2026 NEST/STARS SUNDAY

8:30-9:00 - Join us for breakfast in the restaurant.

9:00-10:00 - Youth members, scouts, and families arrive and check in at NEST booth in Atrium.

9:00-12:00 - Visit the forums and flea market.

12:00-1:00 - Help with taking down the booths and packing.

1:00-2:00 - Closing Ceremonies and Lots of Prize Drawings!

KIT BUILDING WORKSHOP -- For Beginners

Beginners who need soldering instruction and practice are welcome to join us to build an easy beginner kit in under an hour. New England Sci-Tech volunteers will help anyone age 10 and up learn how.

We will teach the basics of safety, soldering, and best practices.

Choose from several kits - Morse Code Practice, Blinky Name Badge, FM Radio Receiver, Crystal Night Light. All kits were invented by our students!

Price per kit is between $5-$12, cash only. Batteries included. All tools provided.

3 Friday Sessions at 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.

4 Saturday Sessions at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM.

All seats are first-come, first-seated.

Kit Building and Soldering Workshop

HamXposition Photos from previous years.