The 43rd Annual Tampa Bay Hamfest, a Gathering of Ham Radio Enthusiasts:

Dozens of men and women in customized ball caps and insulating flannels rummaged through bins full of wires and rotor cables early Saturday morning. From a table in the corner a soft voice rang out, beckoning patrons to examine her wares. Anna Montesano, 15, picked up a walkie-talkie and excitedly radioed her soon-to-be stepdad, informing him when people stopped at their booth. Despite the gloomy day, Montesano was all smiles as she chatted about getting her radio license and discussed her passion for the art of amateur radio. She was a ham through and through. By the end of the two-day event, hundreds had walked through the Strawberry Festival Ground's Expo Hall for the 43rd annual Tampa Bay Hamfest, a gathering of amateur radio enthusiasts, otherwise known as "hams." Amateur radio uses radio frequency spectrums to exchange messages. Though it can be traced back to the late 19th century, the craft is receiving a resuscitation as more and more people apply for radio licenses. According to the National Association for Amateur Radio, the number of licensees in the United States has steadily inclined since 2008. Then there were 663,564 licensees. In 2015, there were 735,405.

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