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Author Topic: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?  (Read 783 times)

K1JRF

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Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« on: November 24, 2020, 10:16:16 PM »

Any thoughts or talk with those tasked with making decisions regarding hamfests or not and possibly  vaccines saving the day?
I know I find myself agreeing with any flavor of newscast that talks about the mental health damage of isolating folks in their homes and extrapolate the concept to old guys that like the smell of old equipment in the morning..... Ect. Kudos to all those that have been stepping up and organizing virtual events but to me a hamfest is like a strip club.... You may try to put a shine on that virtual sneaker but it's got to be live to be experienced. Just no way to replicate a Nearfest...... freezing cold under the pines in the morning, to attacking swarms of yellow jackets when it warms up.....to greasy italian sausages causing the cardiologists to upgrade thier boat payments, old guys hugging old guys they have not seen in a year, holding it as long as u can before u go sit down in one of those unheated fairground bathrooms...... Inconspicuously walking by that (insert your favorite vintage rig here) over and over waiting for a price drop, the guy last year that looked at my tables of offerings and walked away mumbling .....junk....! Random chats that develop over my parts drawers that I open up free if I can help someone, and on and on. You can't recreate that stuff virtually. Just can't. 
Anywho..,felt the need to think out loud...... Happy t day for those that partake..... John K1JRF
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G8FXC

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #1 on: November 25, 2020, 01:01:14 AM »

The authorities on this side of the pond seem to think that the new vaccines will be getting things back to something like normal by late spring. That is, of course, nowhere near long enough to vaccinate the entire population, but that really should not be necessary. This virus is no worse than a cold for the majority of the population - it is probably the case that something like three quarters of those that catch it are never aware that they have had it. It is very dangerous for a small fraction of the population and we know pretty well who they are - people over the age of 65 or 70 and younger people with serious existing health conditions. A targetted vaccination programme of that fraction of the population will break the back of the pandemic and that could be completed within a few months of the vaccine being approved. So, yes, if there are no last minute gotchas with the new vaccines, then I would have thought that things like hamfests could go ahead again from late spring.

COVID is not going away - I think it will settle down to have a status like flu - always there and flaring up again every few years. We are going through the bow wave at the moment which is why it has been so dangerous. In the future, it will be carefully monitored - like flu - and the health authorities will roll out booster vaccination campaigns as necessary to keep the lid on it.

Martin (G8FXC)
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W1ITT

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #2 on: November 25, 2020, 02:20:08 AM »

Whether or not we can have successful hamfests of course hinges mostly on the progress of vaccines and the rate at which governments loosen regulations.  But there is also the mob psychology of any gathering to consider. 
If "everyone" believes that it's safe to go to a hamfest, and they believe that "everyone" else is on board with that, hamfests can proceed.  But if some believe that lots of others will not attend, and therefore the event will be small and sparse with nobody bringing goodies for sale, then they may well decide to roll over and get more sleep and blow the whole thing off.  This is not as unusual as it may seem.  In the past,, when there was a chance of rain within miles, many would just decide that "nobody" will go, so they didn't either and the prophesy was fulfilled, and it was a rather sparse event.
Years ago, I was one of the three fellows who founded and ran the Hosstraders in New England for 34 years.  Those were different times.  People would come in the rain.  Somehow it seemed urgent.  Now, with Ebay, QTH and online ordering from the dealers, it isn't as urgent that we go.  We can text and email our pals if we can't find them on the air.  We can buy things without effort.
Certainly I know that hamfests are not just "stuff".  They are social gatherings as well.  But when attendance falls off, and your old buddies stay home, it's a downhill snowball.  I'd like to think I could go to a few more plain old hamfests before I make the trip beyond the ionosphere, but my optimism is fading.
73 de Norm W1ITT
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W1VT

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2020, 03:48:16 AM »

One year Dick K2RIW and I were one of the last people to leave Hosstraders.  We were having a friendly discussion that lasted well over an hour, maybe two.
Then I plucked a 30ft piece of 1/2 Heliax out the trash on my way out the car.   I still use that feedline today.  :)

Zak W1VT
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W1SPS

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #4 on: November 25, 2020, 04:22:06 AM »

I'm not taking any fast tracked vaccine till some time goes by and I see no one has a extra hand growing out of their forehead, and even then, homie don't like needles... So...

I've only been a ham for just over a year. I've never been to a "HamFest" although I have to imagine they're a lot like the old computer shows. I find anything I want or need I can get online.
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G8FXC

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #5 on: November 25, 2020, 07:45:17 AM »

I'm not taking any fast tracked vaccine till some time goes by and I see no one has a extra hand growing out of their forehead, and even then, homie don't like needles... So...

I've only been a ham for just over a year. I've never been to a "HamFest" although I have to imagine they're a lot like the old computer shows. I find anything I want or need I can get online.

You don't give your age, but if it is under 65, you should not have a problem - governments are going to be concentrating on vaccinating the elderly and front line health workers - who are also in danger because of virus overload. By the time they get round to offering it to anyone under the age of 65, we will have a pretty good idea of how safe it is. But, as I said above, vaccinating the genuinely vulnerable 5% of the population will take the wind out of this bug - the rest of us barely notice it.

Martin (G8FXC)
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WA9AFM

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2020, 08:38:13 AM »

I warrant it won't be the availability or efficacy of vaccines, but whether the owner/operators of the various hamfest venues will allow the show.  Many will likely be very skittish for some time in fear of liability.
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W9FIB

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2020, 02:40:18 PM »

Good luck getting your rights back after you gave them up. Never should have been this bad if the government would have used common sense.

Happy No Thanksgiving!
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

K1JRF

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2020, 09:42:15 PM »

Thanks for the thoughts folks.
A few comments.... Re " I can get anything I want online" . Hmm my first hamfest (Nearfest) I had someone yell out to me from a ways away saying  "hey I know you" and it turned out to be an old bud from high school and college that I had lost track of for 40 years and he took me over to see another on of my college buds and I'm in regular contact with them both now and am blessed for that chance encounter. Can't get that on ebay:)
And No Thanksgiving? Bah to that. 2020 has certainly caused much heartache and loss but everyday above ground is a great day if you look hard enough.
Ok Happy Thanksgiving to those in the US and for our other friends pls join me in a day of thanks anyway. May tip an extra pint for Ham radio and our sunspots!
John K1JRF
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N9LCD

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2020, 03:01:16 PM »

When the vaccine(s) become available in 9-land, we'll get it.  But I don't know IF it'll live up to all the hype.

I had the pneumonia vaccine Prevnar in '19 and STILL GOT PNEUMONIA.  In the emergency room (after urgent care) I was bitchin' to the resident that I had taken the vaccine and still got pneumonia.  His comment:

"IT DOESN'T COVER EVERY STRAIN".

As long as 75 - 80 percent of hams at the fest don't believe in masks (or soap and water) I'm waiting until "ALL CLEAR" sounds. 
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KF5LJW

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2020, 10:35:20 AM »

Should be good by New Years after nursing home receive vaccinations. Time to gas up the shuttles and dust off the O2 bottles. :P
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K5LXP

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #11 on: December 25, 2020, 06:04:17 AM »

I've been making the ~1500 mile round trip to Hamcom for over 20 years now and am so sad to see it succumb to circumstances. 

I think the smaller hamfests will return - the tailgate events in a parking lot which have little overhead and can easily accommodate a varying size attendance.  The conventions are another story, they've been tough enough to pull off with volunteer organizers and limited budgets as it is.  Online/virtual isn't the same, you go for the social interaction as much or more than just seeing hardware.

I haven't looked at the demographic numbers for hams in the US but it's probably not a stretch to say most hams are "high risk" when it comes to covid much less anything else.  At some point you have to accept you've got one foot on the banana peel and decide what risks you have and mitigations  to take and get on with your life.  I find most hams I've talked with over the past few months have pretty much had it with the quarantine so if that sample carries for the rest of the country, I'm thinking if you hold a hamfest, a good number would show up.  I'm perfectly OK with those that care to wear a mask, social distance or whatever they want to do to be comfortable but the main issue I see is the state issued closures and restrictions.  It makes creating a venue for any event nearly impossible.   I'm starting to see things break loose where state orders are being contested and not enforced so hopefully through 2021 we'll see things open back up, and the "new normal" will include an upswing in club meetings and hamfests.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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KG4RUL

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #12 on: December 25, 2020, 09:12:53 AM »

.................I think the smaller hamfests will return - the tailgate events in a parking lot which have little overhead and can easily accommodate a varying size attendance.  ...............

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

I agree that is the most likely scenario.
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W1RC

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #13 on: January 11, 2021, 09:01:14 AM »

Years ago, I was one of the three fellows who founded and ran the Hosstraders in New England for 34 years.  Those were different times.  People would come in the rain.  Somehow it seemed urgent.  Now, with Ebay, QTH and online ordering from the dealers, it isn't as urgent that we go.  We can text and email our pals if we can't find them on the air.  We can buy things without effort.
Certainly I know that hamfests are not just "stuff".  They are social gatherings as well.  But when attendance falls off, and your old buddies stay home, it's a downhill snowball.  I'd like to think I could go to a few more plain old hamfests before I make the trip beyond the ionosphere, but my optimism is fading.
73 de Norm W1ITT
It was very different back in the wonderful Hosstraders days Norm. But we still have a very loyal bunch of amateurs here in New England and I am convinced that if the timing is right we can resume NEAR-Fest with an even larger crowd than we had before Covid-19.   However the folks must first believe it will be safe to return to Deerfield.  We follow the annual Deerfield ( NH) Fair by two weeks and if the Fair is packed that will send a positive signal.

As far as the vaccination schedule it remains up in the air here in New England and we will obviously want everyone attending to have been vaccinated or at least had the opportunity.  Whether this will occur before the spring event is questionable.  As of this date (January 11th) the hamfest is planned for April 30th/May1st but that may change.......

Notwithstanding, when we resume we will still ask people to wear masks and try to stay six feet apart especially inside the buildings, forums and exam session.  However I cannot see it happening in the flea market.

73,

MisterMike, W1RC
Benevolent Dictator,
NEAR-Fest
« Last Edit: January 11, 2021, 09:05:00 AM by W1RC »
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KM1H

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Re: Can the vaccines save the spring hamfests?
« Reply #14 on: January 11, 2021, 04:54:33 PM »

Quote
COVID is not going away - I think it will settle down to have a status like flu - always there and flaring up again every few years. We are going through the bow wave at the moment which is why it has been so dangerous. In the future, it will be carefully monitored - like flu - and the health authorities will roll out booster vaccination campaigns as necessary to keep the lid on it.

Correct in all areas now if the media. etc would just call it what it is  The Chinese Flu  instead of all the dancing around they do to avoid insulting the c....s
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