Ready for the Airwaves: Talkpod Fuels the Next Gen at the 2026 Shelby Hamfest

SHELBY, NC September 5th, 2026

When it comes to premier regional radio events, the ARRL North Carolina State Convention brings out the best operators in the Southeast. On September 4th and 5th, 2026, the Cleveland County Fairgrounds became the ultimate hub for tech exchange, emergency preparedness, and RF innovation during the highly anticipated Shelby Hamfest.

Hosted by the Shelby Amateur Radio Club, this two-day convention is a cornerstone for the regional radio community. Talkpod was on deck with our Youth Amateur Program, bringing tough, dependable, and ready-to-deploy hardware directly to the young operators who are stepping up to shape the future of wireless communications.

Equipping the Next Wave of Operators

Whether you are coordinating an off-grid expedition, managing a commercial job site, or discovering the world of RF engineering for the very first time, you need gear that just works. Talkpod is built on a foundation of professional-grade reliability, but we know that tomorrow's top engineers and emergency responders are today's youth operators.

Through the Talkpod Youth Amateur Program, we are committed to making top-tier technology accessible to beginners. At the Shelby Hamfest, our mission on the ground was clear:

Out-of-the-Box Readiness: Equipping newly licensed youth operators with modern, intuitive Talkpod transceivers, so their first experience on the air is seamless, clear, and inspiring.
Backing the Elmers: Giving veteran operators and mentors the advanced digital and analog tools they need to effectively teach modern RF concepts to the next generation.
Strengthening the Grid: Supporting large-scale regional hubs like the Shelby Amateur Radio Club, which serve as the backbone for local emergency communications and technical education.

On the Ground in North Carolina

The setup in Shelby was nothing short of impressive. With operators efficiently coordinating arrivals and updates over the 146.880 (67 Hz) talk-in frequency, the event was a live demonstration of what a well-oiled radio network looks like.

Between the massive outdoor tailgating areas, the vendor halls, and the deep-dive technical forums, the best part of our weekend was talking shop with the North Carolina ham community. Hearing directly from operators about what they demand from their field equipment is exactly what drives our product engineering.

A Solid Thank You

Pulling off a multi-day ARRL State Convention requires massive logistical coordination and serious dedication. We want to send a huge shoutout to Russell Hayes (KE4GTQ) and the entire crew at the Shelby Amateur Radio Club for running an incredible operation.

To the operators of North Carolina: thank you for the hospitality, the technical insights, and your dedication to keeping the airwaves active and open. Keep your batteries charged and your antennas high—we will catch you on the air!