On Friday, March 7, 2025, Vlado (N3CZ) and I made our way to the Charlotte Hamfest — and what a fantastic trip it was!

We hit the road Friday morning and arrived in Concord around lunchtime, where we met up with our dear friend Phil (W9IXX) at Captain Steve’s Family Seafood Restaurant. The food was outstanding — honestly, it must be the best bargain in seafood in all of North Carolina. If you’re ever in the area, it’s worth a stop.

After lunch, we headed over to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center – Gold Hall to set up our tables. The doors opened at 3:00 PM, and much to our delight, the Friday crowd was lively and active. It was great to see so many people there early, checking out the gear and chatting with fellow hams.

That evening, Vlado and I treated ourselves to some authentic Cuban cuisine at Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar in downtown Concord. The food was phenomenal — a perfect way to cap off the first day of the hamfest.

Saturday morning came quickly, and we were back at the arena bright and early. The event was incredibly well attended. I had the pleasure of meeting a number of QRPer.com readers, YouTube subscribers, and supporters. Many folks also mentioned they’re listeners of the Ham Radio Workbench podcast — it’s always a treat to connect with so many amazing people. Thank you all for stopping by to say hello!

By the time things started winding down around noon, I had sold or given away about two-thirds of the items I brought along — definitely a success in my book.

After packing up, Phil, Vlado, and I grabbed lunch at Johnny Roger’s BBQ & Burgers in Concord. We all went for one of their specialty burgers — absolutely worth it.

All in all, it was an incredibly successful trip. More than anything, it was wonderful to spend time with friends and meet so many amazing people in the community.

Below is a gallery of photos showcasing some of the gear that was available at the hamfest. Many of these were taken before the doors opened on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy!

Click on the following link to view the photo gallery: Continue reading 2025 Charlotte Hamfest Recap: Radios, Bargains, and Good Friends →