On 31 January and 1 February 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)

Vadakara Ham Meet 2026

VU2VDK

Venue: Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village, Vadakara (Near Calicut)

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Greetings Hams & SWLs!

Following the grand success of our 2023 Ham Meet, we are excited to announce our next gathering!

Initially planned as a single-day event on February 1, 2026, we received enthusiastic requests and suggestions from radio enthusiasts across India. In response, we are thrilled to expand the event to a two-day Ham Meet:

Saturday, January 31 & Sunday, February 1, 2026

The two-day event will feature:
Technical Sessions - Explore the latest in amateur radio technology
Exhibitions & Demonstrations - Hands-on learning and live demos
Sales Stalls - Get your favorite radio gear and accessories
Saturday Evening "Great Eyeball" & Cultural Programs - Connect, socialize, and enjoy local performances
Join us to participate, learn, and promote this amazing hobby to the next generation.
Early registration will help us include additional activities, such as a Lucky Draw and a tour package to visit popular nearby tourist spots in Vadakara.

Let's make Ham Meet 2026 a memorable gathering for the amateur radio community!

General Convenor
SANTHOSH SR VU2OGO
VADAKARA HAM MEET 2026 (ARDCS)

Vadakara Repeater

145.825 MHz -Shift (VU2EDJ)

Sand banks Evening Net

21:00 Hrs IST Everyday

Memories & Feedback from Vadakara HAM Meet 2023

Dr S Sathyapal, VU2FI - Director, Indian Institute of Hams

Greetings! It was a pleasure meeting everyone on such a wonderful and scenic campus. To allow for better interaction, sessions, and eyeballs, a two-day event would be more effective. Usually, in a one-day event, participants tend to leave after lunch.

Alternatively, the event could begin with an inauguration on Saturday evening around 5 PM and conclude with a valedictory session by Sunday afternoon. This schedule would allow participants to reach the venue by Saturday afternoon and leave comfortably the next day.

Providing one night of accommodation would also be helpful, considering the tight and busy schedules.
73
Dr Sathyapal, VU2FI More...

Sarath, VU2RS

The Vadakara HAM Meet 2023 was an incredible experience! It was wonderful to connect with fellow amateur radio enthusiasts share knowledge, and learn from one another. The meet provided an excellent platform for networking and strengthening the bonds within the amateur radio community.

The event did a commendable job of promoting amateur radio in Kozhikode and across Kerala, sparking genuine interest and enthusiasm among newcomers. Iâ€™m confident it has inspired many to explore the fascinating world of ham radio.

The only shortcoming was that it was a single-day event, which felt a bit rushed. I would suggest considering a two-day format in the future to allow more time for relaxed interactions, detailed presentations, and meaningful discussions.

Kudos to the organizers, especially VU2OGO, for putting together such a wonderful event! I'm already looking forward to future meets.

Best regards,
Sarath, VU2RS More...

VU2KGB, Girish

Maya (VU2CIA) and I thoroughly enjoyed last year's Vadakara HAM Meet. The venue was excellent, and both the accommodation and food were very good. The only shortcoming we felt was that it was held as a single-day event.

Since many participants, including us, travel from distant places, it might be better to make it a two-day event. For instance, the first day could begin around 10:00 a.m., followed by lunch, and continue from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. In the evening, we could have an eyeball meet, perhaps a cultural program, and dinner. The second day could start around 9:30 a.m. and conclude with lunch.

If we also include sufficient displays of home-brew and commercial equipment, along with antenna workshops, a two-day event would be even more engaging and enjoyable.

Just a suggestion from my side! More...

VU2NSL, Subbu - Cochin

In today's world of social networking and countless apps, everyone enjoys meeting in person. But the Vadakara Meet was truly a unique experience in my life - it was organized in an eco-friendly atmosphere.
DE VU2NSL SUBBU COCHIN More...

VU2JRT, Jagdish

Thank you for reaching out. I am very happy to share my thoughts about the 2023 Vadakara HAM Meet. It was a well-organized and memorable event, with excellent participation from Hams across the region. The technical sessions, fellowship, and overall coordination were truly commendable. The event fostered a strong bond within the amateur radio community and inspired many new operators to get more involved.

The only shortcoming was that it was held as a single-day event, which limited the time available for in-depth discussions, workshops, and interactions.

I strongly recommend that future HAM Meets be conducted as two-day events, allowing more room for technical sessions, hands-on demonstrations, cultural activities, and social networking.

73
VU2JRT - Jagdish. More...

PJ Peter, VU2PJP

Thank you for the invitation. I promise my best to be with you for the MEET '26. Just one suggestion - it. would be great to extend the event to two days. Many of us travel from our home QTH and have to return the very next day. We'd love to spend one more day with everyone to make the event even more colorful!

CU soon,
73,
de VU2PJP More...

Manoj T.R, VU2DTH, Secretary, Idukki Repeater Society

When I heard the news from VU2EPR Prem on the 40-meter band that there would be another HAM Meet at Sargaalaya, a place that gave us such unforgettable memories-my heart leapt with joy! Then came an even greater surprise: the convener was none other than my good friend, Santhosh (VU2OGO)! Wow, what a superb combo! I immediately thanked Prem a thousand times and assured him of my full support.

Organizing and successfully conducting a HAM Meet is no easy task. All the Hams who attended the last Vadakara Meet had been eagerly waiting for the next one. We will never forget the beautiful atmosphere that Sargaalaya offered-one that left a lasting impression. Any unspoken sadness we had last time simply disappeared with this great news.

This time, the program should definitely be a two-day event.
Congratulations and best wishes to all the organizers working behind this wonderful event!
De VU2DTH MANOJ TR
Secratary Idukki Repeater Society
More...

Mohan,VU2MYH

The one-day Vadakara HAM Meet 2023, organized by the Amateur Radio and Disaster Communication Society (ARDCS), was held on 12th March 2023 at Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village, Vadakara, Kerala, India. The event brought together Amateur Radio operators (HAMs) and Shortwave Listeners for a day of learning, networking, and sharing experiences - all with the purpose of promoting amateur radio communication awareness in the region. The meet attracted nearly 450 participants from across various districts of Kerala, different states in South India, and even as far as Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. The program was fully packed with technical sessions and live demonstrations, making it an engaging single-day event, though with limited time for broader community interaction.

Given the venue's picturesque setting and the enthusiastic participation, it was suggested that future editions be organized as two-day events - allowing more time for extended interactions, networking opportunities, and local sightseeing as part of the schedule.

Best 73s,
Mohan - VU2MYH More...

Sudhindra Raja, VU2VET, RIRCOM

The Vadakara HAM Meet 2023 was one of the best events I have attended and truly enjoyed. The arrangements were excellent and the food was very good.

I would like to suggest making it a two-day event, which would be very helpful for participants traveling long distances from different parts of India. It would also give them the opportunity to explore nearby places.

This event should definitely be organized annually as a wonderful get-together for all HAM radio friends.

Thank you.
VU2VET SUDHINDRA RAJA RIRCOM More...

Prakash Modh, VU3HMB

It was a great experience attending the HAM Meet in March 2023 at Vadakara. The eyeball meet with fellow HAM friends was truly thrilling especially after the long break caused by the COVID pandemic.

The venue, Sargaalaya, had everything needed to provide a joyful and immersive experience of Kerala's rich culture to every participant. The arrangements were excellent, and the food was absolutely delicious.

However, I feel that a half-day or one-day meet is more convenient only for local or nearby HAMs staying within about 200 to 250 km. I would like to suggest and wish that future events be planned as two-day meets, allowing long-distance participants to benefit from better interactions, more eyeball sessions, and opportunities to explore nearby tourist attractions.

I understand that organizing a two-day event requires extensive planning and effort, but it would surely make the experience even more rewarding.

With best wishes. Prakash Modh
VU3HMB
More...

Joseph Mattappally, VU2JIM

Nice to know that your team has decided to organize another HAM Meet in January 2026. Events like these truly help the hobby grow and flourish. I sincerely appreciate your dedication and commitment to amateur radio. I had attended the 2023 Malabar HAM Meet held at Vadakara, and I thoroughly enjoyed both the venue and the excellent way you organized everything. The location and the facilities provided were very pleasing.

For the upcoming event, I would suggest designing the schedule to allow participants more time for eyeball QSOs, stalls, flea markets, and technical talks - we definitely need more than 12 hours to make the most of it!

Also, consider making this a biennial event.

73,
Joseph Mattappally (VU2JIM)
Vrindavan Complex, Koorali, Kottayam More...

Abhay, VU2ABU

Visiting Vadakara is always something we Hams from Mangalore eagerly look forward to. Our recent visit for the 2023 Vadakara HAM Meet was truly a memorable one.

Prior to that, we had also attended the 2019 Repeater Inaugural Function.

Your team's hospitality has always been warm and unparalleled. The presentations by the participating Hams were interesting and informative. It's always a pleasure to visit your beautiful town, stay at Sargaalaya, and meet all our dear radio friends. It's so much fun meeting and talking in person with friends from Kerala and beyond - people we otherwise only meet on air.

My only suggestion is to make it a two-day event, which would give us more time for those enjoyable eyeball QSOs, as we call them in HAM language.

Looking forward to attending the next HAM Meet scheduled for early 2026!

73,
de VU2ABU - Abhay
Mangalore More...