About the Fest
May 10-11, 2024 — Holiday Inn Express & Guest Suites, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania and via Zoom
The Winter SWL Fest is a conference of radio hobbyists of all stripes, from DC to daylight. Historically, every year scores of hobbyists have descended on the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania suburbs for a weekend of camaraderie. The Fest is sponsored by NASWA, the North American Shortwave Association, but it covers much more than just shortwave; mediumwave (AM), scanning, satellite TV, and pirate broadcasting are among the other topics that the Fest covers. Whether you’ve been to every Fest (all 36, starting with the first year at the fabled Pink & Purple Room of the Fiesta Motor Inn) or this year’s will be your first, you’re sure to find a welcome from your fellow hobbyists, even if it’s a “virtual” welcome!.
The 37th Annual (!) “Winter” SWL Fest had two days of sessions where you can learn about the latest developments in the radio listening hobbies. In addition, there’s the Hospitality Suite, where attendees partake of tuning oil and other treats and engage in spirited conversations. And of course, the infamous midnight ride of Pancho Villa that traditionally closes things out every year is likely to make a return appearance.
The 2024 Fest was be the first in-person event since 2020, and it was limited to 65 participants to help us manage the return of an in-person event. However, we also offer the option of participating via Zoom, as we have the past three years.
Can’t join us for the whole event? That’s OK — you can come and go as you please. We record each session for later download if you’ve registered either to join us in-person or via Zoom.
We will have information in the coming months regarding plans for 2025.
If you have questions please contact the Fest organizers at swlfest [at] naswa [dot] net .
Your hosts, Richard Cuff and John Figliozzi, work throughout the year to ensure that attendees have a great time over the weekend, and by all accounts, they succeed stunningly. How else could this event have lasted for 36 years (egad) — even with a Pandemic — and draw people from around the world to southeastern Pennsylvania? Won’t you join us?