About the Fest
The information below is for the Fest we just completed. This page will be updated as we develop the details for the 2026 Fest. Thanks to all who joined us in 2025!
2025 Fest dates — April 25, 26 2025 — 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 37, 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 38th Annual (!) “Winter” SWL Fest will have 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 2025 Fest will be the second in-person event since 2020 and the CoVID-19 Pandemic, and it will again be limited to 65 in-person participants due to meeting space considerations. However, we also offer the option of participating via Zoom, as we have the past three years.
You can register for the Zoom event here. If you register from April 24th onwards we may not get the Zoom links you in time to participate in the live event, but we will include you in the distribution of links to recorded sessions. Those links will be sent out starting Monday April 28th.
We look forward to seeing everyone there!
If you have questions please contact the Fest organizers at swlfest [at] naswa [dot] net .