Lifetime Passes

NEAR-Fest Lifetime Passes

 

 

The VIP Lifetime Pass:

The VIP Lifetime Pass program was created in October of 2021 by MisterMike, W1RC, founder and “Benevolent Dictator” of The New England Amateur Radio Festival, Inc. The program was developed to offer loyal attendees a long-term, premium admission option while helping NEAR-Fest recover from the financial impact of not holding events since October 2019 due to COVID-19.

Only 20 VIP Lifetime Passes were made available, and all were quickly sold. No additional passes are currently being offered for sale.

Special feature of the VIP Pass: From October 2021 through October 2027, VIP pass holders can receive one prize-drawing entry ticket (admission ticket stub) per NEAR-Fest event to remain eligible for prize drawings. Starting in May 2028, VIP ticket holders must purchase an eligible raffle entry ticket separately if they wish to participate in drawings.

 

The Awarded Lifetime Pass:

Before the existence of the VIP Passes, the only way to obtain a Lifetime Pass was to be awarded one. The passes were awarded to individuals who have made “a significant and documented contribution to the advancement, improvement, and overall enjoyment of the art and science of Amateur Radio in New England or adjacent areas.” Awardees are not required to hold an Amateur Radio license to receive a Lifetime Pass.

 

Benefits:

The two passes primarily offer the same benefits to the holder. The significant difference between a “VIP Lifetime Pass” and an “Awarded Lifetime Pass” is how they are obtained and prize-drawing eligibility. The VIP passes were purchased, and the awarded ones were not. The VIP Passes make the holder eligible for drawings up to the stated cut-off date, whereas the awarded passes do not. Each pass grants the named holder and one guest early access to NEAR-Fest events (initially 8 AM on Fridays alongside clubs and associations; after the fall 2024 venue change to New Boston, as early as Thursday afternoon and 5 AM Friday) and use of the tailgating area. (for tailgating, NOT parking…) Additional fees for staying on the grounds overnight, premium inside vending space, food and drinks, etc., are NOT covered by either Lifetime Pass. While guest entry is free, guests must purchase a ticket to participate in prize drawings. Lifetime Passes are non-transferable. New passes can be requested if lost or stolen; a service fee may apply.

 

Using Your Pass:

You will use the normal traffic flow as all other participants and be checked in at the entry gate. At that point, you need to present your Lifetime Pass. The gate staff will issue you event-specific tickets based on your pass type. As long as you arrive during operational hours, you will be granted access to the grounds.

—Remember that early entry is for you and one guest only. If you don’t have your pass, the gate staff will not be able to look you up! Please arrange for a replacement in advance.

 

The Beginning:

The Lifetime Pass Award program was established before the first NEAR-Fest event. In April 2007, three individuals were accorded a pass “good for life.”

These first three honored individuals were:

  • Robert V. “Bob” Tiffany, W1GWU
  • (SK) Joseph M. “Joe” DeMaso, K1RQG
  • Norman B. “Norm” Blake, WA1IVB (now W1ITT)

This honor recognized their outstanding contribution in conceiving and organizing THE HOSSTRADERS TAILGATE SWAPFEST (aka “Deerfield,” “Rochester,” “Rainchester,” etc.) for 34 years (1973–2006) and for raising over 1.3 million dollars donated to the Shriners’ Hospitals in Springfield, MA and Montreal, Canada, and to the Burns Unit in Boston, MA.

 

Awards Through The Years:

    • NEAR-Fest I – No pass awarded.

    • NEAR-Fest II – (SK) Arleen W., KF6LAF and Neil A. Kaltman, K6SMF, as the farthest-traveled visitors to NEAR-Fest I and II.

    • NEAR-Fest III – Bruce C. Anderson, W1LUS; Volunteer Examiner Team coordinator presiding over VE sessions at every NEAR-Fest since I.

    • NEAR-Fest IV – (SK) John C. Moore, N1FOJ; “El Presidente” (ex-officio), Contoocook Valley Radio Club; and Lee D. Scott, AA1YN; for overseeing licensing classes and construction of Amateur Station KA1SKY at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium.

    • NEAR-Fest V – (SK) Wayne Green II, W2NSD/1; Publisher of 73 Magazine; lifelong advocate of amateur radio.

    • NEAR-Fest VI – (SK) Stephen L. Finberg, W1GSL; organizer of the “Flea at M.I.T.” and publisher of the Electronic Flea Market list.

    • NEAR-Fest VII – (SK) Donald Dashney, VE3RM/VE2SH; licensing instructor and mentor to thousands of Canadian amateurs.

    • NEAR-Fest VIII – (SK) Robert Wiggin; Head Shriner, Simadi Shrine Club; Hosstraders volunteer for over 30 years.

    • NEAR-Fest IX – Robert C. Mitchell Sr., W1NH; long-time volunteer at Hosstraders and NEAR-Fest.

    • NEAR-Fest X
      • Allan H. Weiner, WBCQ; proprietor and GM of shortwave station WBCQ.

      Also at NEAR-Fest X, a special “Heroes of Deerfield” category honored three individuals for their service in May 2007. They received Lifetime Passes:

      • Brent R. “Brenteena” Desautels, W1IA
      • James J. Evans, N1HTS
      • James J. Martin Jr., W1KQ

    • NEAR-Fest XI – Dale P. Clement, AF1T; instructor, lecturer, and mentor to many amateurs.

    • NEAR-Fest XII – Thomas B. Perera, W1TP; academic and lecturer on telegraphy, ENIGMA crypto, and related topics.

    • NEAR-Fest XIII – Burton E. Fisher, K1OIK; NEAR-Fest videographer; and Sheryl Bolduc, Deerfield Fair Association President.

    • NEAR-Fest XIV – No pass awarded.

    • NEAR-Fest XV – Mitchell Stern, W1SJ; and Dave Hawke, KQ1L.
      • Doug Grant, K1DG; President
      • Randy Thompson, K5ZD; VP Marketing
      • Tom Frenaye, K1KI; Secretary
      • Richard Green, WC1M; Treasurer
      • Mark Pride, K1RX; Antenna Systems
      • Dan Street, K1TO; Team Selection
      • Larry “Tree” Tyree, N6TR; Scoring
      • Andy Blank, N2NT; Rules & Judging
      • John Dorr, K1AR; Hospitality
      • Dave Pascoe, KM3T; IT & Communications

    • NEAR-Fest XVI – John Dilks, K2TQN; vintage radio writer and lecturer.

    • NEAR-Fest XVII
      • Bill Barber, NE1B; organizer of the NEDECN DMR network.
      • (SK) Jeremy “Jerry” Muller, K0TV; dedicated community volunteer.

    • NEAR-Fest XVIII – No Lifetime Pass awarded.

    • NEAR-Fest XIX – Commercial operations team:
      • Jim McIrvin, N1IPA
      • Harry McNelley, N1TTT
      • John Goran, K1JJS

    • NEAR-Fest XX – No Lifetime Pass awarded.

    • NEAR-Fest XXI – No Lifetime Pass awarded.

    • NEAR-Fest XXII – George Rancourt, K1ANX; military radio and “spy radio” guru.

    • NEAR-Fest XXIII – No Lifetime Pass awarded.

    • NEAR-Fest XXIV – David J. Ring, N1EA; Marine Radio Officer who saved 535 souls in 1980.

    • NEAR-Fest XXV – George Maier, W1LSB; vintage radio researcher and presenter.

    • NEAR-Fest XXVI – No Lifetime Pass awarded.

    • NEAR-Fest XXVII – need info…

    • NEAR-Fest XXVIII – need info…

    • NEAR-Fest XXIX – need info…

    • NEAR-Fest XXX – need info…

    • NEAR-Fest XXXI – need info…

    • NEAR-Fest XXXII – need info…

    • NEAR-Fest XXXIII – need info…

    • NEAR-Fest XXXIV – need info…

    • NEAR-Fest XXXV – need info…

    • NEAR-Fest XXXVI – need info…

  • NEAR-Fest XXXVII – No Lifetime Pass awarded.
  • NEAR-Fest XXXVIII – October 2025 – Herbert Calvitto “Cal”, WA1WOK, Lifetime commitment to amateur radio, assistance to others in the hobby, and support of NEAR-Fest.  The infamous Mr. Mike — One of the original founders was awarded a Lifetime Pass to enjoy NEAR-Fest, after he had retired from running the event.