Well the week is finally here. The annual pilgrimage to the German town on the banks of Lake Constance. And for 1 week/weekend the town is full of radio amateurs all visiting from their home countries to attend Ham Radio 2026 – the 49th year of this event.
This will be my 5th visit, and each year it has been getting better and better. Meeting up with old and new friends, some I have maybe made contact with once on the air while others will be never made contact – but we all know each other from our common hobby. I am lucky in that I now work within the industry and will be spending one day on the Icom stand, talking to people who are maybe looking for a new transceiver, or are wanting some help with their current radio. I will also be on the IOTA stand as usual with my friends Charles (M0OXO) and Ady (G6AD), who are the best travel buddies – and friends – you could have. 
My journey starts tomorrow (23rd June 2026) at 07:30 heading up to Staines to meet Charles & Ady by train. Leaving Herne Bay up to London Victoria, a connection from there to Clapham Junction, and change again for Staines. We will then spend the day at a spot we know watching the aircraft before settling in to our rooms at the Premier Inn on Bath Road, Hounslow for the night. A 2am alarm to get ready to leave and catch our 6am flight from Heathrow airport. We understand it is taking a little longer than usual to get through security and check in so we are giving ourselves a little extra time. Breakfast in the airport, arrive in Zurich and catch the train to Romanshorn before getting on the ferry over the lake to have lunch in Friedrichshafen.
I will be posting updates throughout the week with photos to prove our antics. If you are going, then come and say hello, if not then make it a trip for the 50th Anniversary show next year.