2016年7月9日，加拿大安省中部第42届火腿节（Hamfest）在多伦多西部城市Milton举行。参与者以中老年人居多，也有些很年轻的小朋友，应该是受他们父辈的影响而爱上了这一活动。
这里所说的火腿，不是我们平时吃的火腿，而是业余无线电的简称。业余无线电英文简称HAM，中文又叫火腿。业余无线电作为人们的一种爱好，在上个世纪中叶，曾经红极一时，后来随着互联网和卫星通信的发展逐渐被世人冷落。尽管如此，世界范围内的业余无线电活动却始终没有停止过，而且发现业余无线电通讯在救灾和应对危机的情况下，起到了其他通讯手段无法替代的作用。现代社会的通讯确实非常方便，但是它的依赖性却非常强，在某些特殊情况下，一旦失去了电力和网络的支持，这些通讯就会瘫痪。业余无线电通讯是一种免费的自主的远距离通讯，平时是一种爱好，而在出现天灾人祸的异常情况下又是一种自救和参与社会应急的手段。
火腿节英文介绍：
网址：http://www.hamfest.on.ca/ http://barc.ca/wordpress/
The Central Ontario Hamfest was founded in the late 60's by the Guelph ARC as a fund raiser for the St. Joseph's Hospital Amateur Radio club station. GARC was instrumental in acquiring and setting up the ham station at St. Joe's --- VE3SJH. As well, the volunteers taught beginners classes for many long-term-care patients resulting in a very active station at the Hospital.
The original Fleamarket was held in 1975 in the driveway of Rocco, VE3HGZ now VE3YJ's QTH and the following year, in the side yard of Gord McPhail, VE3IH. Over the years the organizers did such a great job in promoting this event that the increasing attendees kept overflowing larger and larger Guelph facilities forcing the club to make a hard decision on how to continue accommodating the growing crowds.
Faced with this growth problem, Guelph approached the Kitchener-Waterloo Club (KWARC) who joined forces with the founding Guelph club. The space problem was resolved by moving the event to Kitchener's Bingeman Park and then in 1998 to the Fergus Community Center. Since we've been at Fergus, the Tailgater presence has been growing steadily, especially since we've been blessed with beautiful weather every year (so far!)..
In 2010, our 36th year, we moved our classic to a new location. We believe you’ll find our new site easier to access- it’s on the other side of Hwy 401 from Princess Auto. Major vendors, collectors, hobbyists, and enthusiasts enjoy this one. Lots of room. You meet your friends at this one!
