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Author Topic: Future of Virtual Hamfests -- A Review of QSO Today Online Expo  (Read 384 times)

K8QS

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Future of Virtual Hamfests -- A Review of QSO Today Online Expo
« on: September 10, 2020, 01:47:03 PM »

What is the future of online hamfests post-COVID? We review the recent QSO Today Online Expo and make suggestions about the future. Your thoughts?  Quin, K8QS

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3MJT8o8-XMxF8XROf7Q5GA
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NA4DX

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Re: Future of Virtual Hamfests -- A Review of QSO Today Online Expo
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2020, 01:20:50 PM »

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most, if not all, regularly scheduled hamfests have either been canceled or scaled down significantly. The prospect for renewed participation for in-person hamfests does not look promising for the relatively near future. I have been working on developing a virtual hamfest that will offer buyers and sellers the opportunity to get their "treasure" fix and/or find that item they need (want) to complete a project or just add to their station without having to risk possible coronavirus infection.

This is still a work in progress and for the moment only available via Facebook. Ultimately, I plan on bringing this concept up on a full service website. To test it out, I have created seventeen (17) tables with five (5) items each for sale. These are all working, physically good ham radio related items from the liquidation of a fellow ham's station who has had to move into assisted living.

Please stop by Virtual HamFEST www.facebook.com/vhamfest simply by clicking on the hyperlink. Let me know what you think of the concept and any constructive ideas to make it as much user friendly as possible. I look forward to seeing you there.
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W9FIB

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Re: Future of Virtual Hamfests -- A Review of QSO Today Online Expo
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2020, 02:18:04 AM »

The problem with a virtual hamfest is simple. There are no possible ways to simulate digging through boxes of "stuff" and finding that unobtainium part you have been in search of for 20 years.

Otherwise you may as well list your equipment on a ham ad here or other classified ad locations. Has the same feel.
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

N9LCD

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Re: Future of Virtual Hamfests -- A Review of QSO Today Online Expo
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2020, 07:45:38 PM »

The form may be different but the substance of virtual hamfests is the same as any "buy and sell" website.

It's the cost of proper and safe packing plus insured shipping.

And it's not only "hollow state" gear, it's also "solid state" rigs.  My Racal RA1795 is a full-sized 5.25" high rack mount, continuously tuneable, synthesized 20 - 1,000 MHz multimode receiver.  It was designed for operation in high RF military environments.  Its manual is 3" thick 

The receiver alone weighs in at 50 pounds!!!!

I've had nibbles but nobody wants to pay the "freight".







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NA4DX

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Re: Future of Virtual Hamfests -- A Review of QSO Today Online Expo
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2020, 09:06:53 AM »

Virtual HamFEST Launched on MeWe Social Media

With the mass exodus from Facebook, Twitter, Google and other left-liberal social media systems, I have launched a new Group on the new, fast-growing MeWe social media site. This group, Virtual HamFEST, already has over 100 members and is growing quickly. There are already 12 tables of ham radio related gear available for purchase and more being added daily. If you do not already have a MeWe account, take a look around and see what all the excitement is about. You can create your own profile at www.mewe.com. Then, join my group at https://mewe.com/join/virtualhamfest and browse all the great gear already listed.

Hope to see you soon. Thanks and 73, de NA4DX
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