When did you make the gender switch?

Hamvention in 2016 was one for the books—full of moments to sort through. Where to begin?

For anyone just tuning in, Hamvention is the largest amateur radio convention this side of the Arctic Circle, and I attended regularly since 1979. Over the years, I’ve built a bit of a reputation in the ham radio world—five books, more than 1,200 articles, and a lifetime in the hobby.

Since 2010, though, I’ve been attending Hamvention a little differently—presenting as a woman.

The first time was nerve-wracking. But I quickly discovered something unexpected: most people didn’t recognize me at all. I wasn’t “Stan, the writer.” I was just another middle-aged woman—perhaps a spouse helping out at a booth. In other words, I was invisible.

The only “aha” moments came when someone looked closely at my badge and connected the call sign. Those moments were rare. For the most part, I passed without question.

This year, that changed.

Hamvention selected me—Stan—for their Special Achievement Award. It didn’t take long to decide who would attend to accept it. About 30 seconds, to be exact.

The same “invisible” woman who had been walking the aisles for years would go to Dayton.

I submitted my biography and a current photo for the website and program. Which meant that anyone paying attention would see it: the award recipient they knew as Stan… now appearing as a woman.

That led to some understandable confusion. A few people assumed the organizers had made a mistake—pairing a stranger’s photo with my write-up. That part’s on me. I chose to keep the name “Stan” for two reasons: first, that’s who was nominated; and second, those accomplishments being recognized were earned under that name.

Still, for some attendees, it created a kind of double-take moment.

One interaction captured it perfectly.

Throughout the weekend, I kept crossing paths with a couple at the hotel—familiar faces from past Hamventions, though I couldn’t quite place them. We’d exchange a quick “hi” and move on.

Then Saturday evening, I was heading out to the awards dinner, dressed to the nines. The husband was outside having a smoke. I greeted him and kept walking—until I heard:

“Stan… when did you make the gender switch?”

I turned around.

There was no hostility in his voice—just curiosity. So I answered him, simply and directly.

“I’ve been reading your articles for years,” he said. “I had no idea.”

And honestly, that was the exception, not the rule.

A few people asked what name I preferred. Most didn’t ask anything at all—they just accepted me as I was, in that moment, without needing an explanation.

And it’s hard to ask for more than that.

Wearing Ann Taylor

Volker Spengler femulating in the 1978 West German film In a Year of 13 Moons.