Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, will be the featured speaker for a large-group presentation at the ARRL Centennial Convention, July 17-19, in Hartford, Connecticut. Taylor’s Saturday, July 19, noon presentation, “Gazing into the Future — DXing with Weak Signals and Beyond,” will take place in the large meeting hall at the Connecticut Convention Center.

“We are pleased that a technological innovator of Joe Taylor’s stature has agreed to be part of our program schedule,” ARRL Centennial Convention Program and Forum Chairman Dan Henderson, N1ND, said. “His work in weak-signal detection has helped revolutionize many aspects of Amateur Radio, and his forum is a ‘can’t miss’ opportunity for Convention-goers.”

Other presenters on the Convention’s Friday and Saturday Forum schedule include former FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH. His presentation is entitled, “Turning the ‘Big Dial’ — It’s More than Simply Changing the Frequency.” Propagation expert Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, will give two presentations — “160 Meters — Mastering the Challenge” and “Propagation Forecasting — a Peek Behind the Curtain.” ARRL antenna guru Dean Straw, N6BV, will discuss, “How to Blow Up Your Balun — and Other Things in Your Antenna System Too!” Additional details have been added to the day-long “Training Tracks” on Thursday. Sessions will include “Leadership and Training Tools for Amateur Radio,” “Public Service Communications Academy,” “RFI-101,” “An Introduction to Amateur Satellites,” “DX University,” “Contest University,” and “Amateur Radio Legal Seminar.”

“Registration for the Thursday tracks has been quite brisk,” Henderson said. “Contest University, DX University, and the Public Service Communications Academy are about 70 percent enrolled. We urge anyone hoping to attend one of the Convention presentations or forums to register now. Walk-ins for any of the Thursday training tracks will be on a space-available basis the day of the event.”

Henderson said the Convention has added 6 hours of Youth in Amateur Radio forums and programs to the Convention schedule. Three hours will be offered on both Friday and Saturday. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, will deliver the Friday banquet address.