ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, attended the 14th Annual AES Superfest at the headquarters store of Amateur Electronic Supply in Milwaukee, Wisconsin March 28-29. This event is an ARRL sanctioned hamfest that included forums, VE testing (sponsored by MRAC), DXCC card checking and a fox hunt. ARRL Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG; Vice Director Howie Huntington, K9KM, and ARRL Wisconsin Section Manager Don Michalski, W9IXG, were also on hand for the event.

More than 30 vendors made the trek to Wisconsin to show off their wares. "It was fun to visit with all of the AES staff and sales people, too. I enjoyed discussing our new publications, especially the new format of the The ARRL Repeater Directory," Inderbitzen said.

ARRL Volunteer Counsel Jim O'Connell, W9WU, offered a forum Saturday afternoon -- Legal Issues for Hams -- giving advice for avoiding restrictive antenna covenants, presenting a case for installing a tower (before legislative or zoning officials) and information on the latest court rulings on RFI and PRB-1. ARRL Instructor Gordon West, WB6NOA, presented a forum, encouraging the crowd to recruit, mentor and most of all, have fun!

Inderbitzen heard from many hams while he was at the ARRL booth at Superfest: "Most of the comments I received were very positive. There were lots of nice words about the 'direction' of ARRL, the layout of QST and the one-on-one experiences members have with the ARRL staff and officials. A few folks mentioned having great visits to ARRL headquarters."

On March 27, the night before Superfest, Inderbitzen attended a meeting of the Milwaukee Radio Amateurs' Club (MRAC) and spoke about sharing the passion for Amateur Radio with friends and family members. This club, founded in 1917, will celebrate 90 years of ARRL Club Affiliation in 2009. In recognition of this milestone, Inderbitzen presented MRAC President Howard Parks, AB9FH, with an ARRL Recognition Award "for its commitment to Amateur Radio and to the American Radio Relay League."