Call for
Amateur Radio Speakers

The QSO Today Academy is calling for English language presentations for its monthly meetings. 

The message that we want to convey for the Academy is that any of the presentations regarding technology, rigs, operating modes, building projects, can be enjoyed by any amateur radio licensee, regardless of license class.  The cheap Chinese handheld radio on the local repeater is one of many options available, and the goal of the QSO Today Academy is to increase amateur radio knowledge with the goal of getting hams on the air in any  mode being easy and fun.  
How to submit your presentation to the QSO Today Academy
  1. Decide on a topic of your expertise that you want to share
  2. Complete our on-line application - click here
  3. Wait for our acceptance of your application before you create your presentation. 
  4. Follow the instructions below on how to create your presentation for the Expo presentation systems on vFairs, our hosting platform. 

Information for new speakers at the Academy
Please read this page before submitting your application.  

Background: 
The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo, now the QSO Today Academy, is a virtual event that attracts thousands of amateur radio operators for a two day weekend conference.  Presentations are "semi-live" video playback during the Expo with live Q&A following.  The Q&A is recorded and added to the presentation for future replay on our Vimeo channel.  Here is a link to our library of previous presentations using our custom video player: 
https://.qsotodayhamexpo.com/vod-list.html

Presentations should meet the following criteria: 
  • Recorded video - often with PowerPoint slides.  A video presentation is also fun and different to present your idea.
  • We "talk like TED", 20 to 25 minute presentation with time for live Q&A at the end
  • Focus on one key actionable take-away
  • Collateral material, only 1 piece, in PDF format if available
  • Total talk time is 1 hour that includes Q&A.  Expert talks may take longer, Q&A may be shorter. 

Topics include, but not limited to: 
  • How To - anything in ham radio
  • Emergency Services provide by amateurs
  • Antennas
  • HF operating, contesting, DXing, DXpeditions
  • Ham radio on a budget
  • Ham radio history
  • Satellite and space communications
  • EME - Moon Bounce
  • VHF, UHF, and Microwave
  • Digital Modes
  • QRP
  • Field operations
  • Homebrewing - including refurbishing old gear, building new gear, kit building
  • Mobile and portable operation
  • Noise cancellation in urban environments
  • Outdoor operation, POTA, SOTA
  • Software Defined Radio
  • Voice over the Internet
  • Test equipment and repair
  • Ham club activities that build membership
  • Or an especially interesting ham radio project
  • How to make a ham radio website
  • Social media and ham radio, what are the options?

Have This Information Ready Before You Start The Application

  1. Name, Address, Telephone number, and Email
  2. Face Picture of you no bigger than 300K
  3. Brief biography of you - a paragraph or two
  4. Presentation Name and One Paragraph Description
  5. The application has room for only one speaker.  ​If you have additional speakers, you can add them once your presentation has been accepted. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the deadline for speaker application submissions? 
A:  No deadline for monthly meetings.  On the application tell us when you can do it.  

Q: When does the presentation video have to be uploaded?  
A:  We prefer early as possible .  Give us some time to edit, massage, and upload to our platform. 

Q: Do you accept every presentation application? 
A:  We try to accept all presentations if the application is clear in title and description.  We want to make an opportunity for new speakers to be seen and heard.  If the "science" is shaky, then we have a peer review board that will screen the application, then make a recommendation to accept or reject.  

Q:  How are these presentations made in a virtual Academy? 
A:  The presentations are pre-recorded and mounted on the virtual platform to start in a pre-defined time slot, on the weekend of the event. We use sequel.io as our "stage".  Once the playback ends, the viewers can remain on the channel for moderated Q&A session.  As a speaker you will be in a "Zoom like" room with a moderator to field your questions submitted by text chat by the audience.  We hope to be able to promote audience members to the our virtual stage.  

Q: Can I reuse a presentation that I made someplace else? 
A:  While we would prefer original and new content, a streamlined and updated version on our Academy branding and PowerPoint template is acceptable as long as it it not already up on YouTube.  We will not re-use any presentations made in the last Expo.  We will accept follow-up presentations if more work has been done to advance the project.  

Q: What rights does the QSO Today Academy (KEG Media, Inc.) have to presentations made in the Academy? 
A: By agreeing to submit and make a presentation in the QSO Today Academy, KEG Media, Inc. has the right to publish the video and audio content on any platform, public or private.  Since these rights are non-exclusive, you have the right to publish your presentation anywhere, after the QSO Today Academy event, unless another arrangement is made with KEG Media, Inc., in writing. 

Q: How long should I make my presentation?
A: The short answer is 20 to 25 minutes.  However, unlike an "in-person presentation", it is easy for the audience to move on, or change the channel,  if they are not satisfied with the presentation.  So we suggest using the same lecture style as a TED Talk.  Focus on a single, valuable, insight or lesson that you learned and support it with your presentation. 

Q: Will I be given a branded template to use for my presentation? 
A: Yes, we will require that you use our opening and closing slides for your presentation.  If you are doing a PowerPoint slides, then we will supply a branded template for your presentation.  

Q: Do I have to make a typical PowerPoint presentation? 
A:  No - this is a video platform.  Some of our best presentations were scripted video demonstrations.  Do them outside, on the tower, in the basement, on a mountain, in the field.  Be creative. 

Q: Will you take presentations from International Amateurs in languages other than English?  
A: Yes, while the primary language is English, we will accept presentations in foreign languages.  Unfortunately, since this Expo is for English speakers, presentations in foreign languages get a small number of viewers.  We are now looking at AI technology to real time translate into other languages.  No promises.