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Author Topic: Welcome to Hamfests  (Read 7513 times)

N2MG

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Welcome to Hamfests
« on: June 14, 2003, 02:37:14 PM »

Let's hear about your favorite hamfests - and the duds!

Mike N2MG
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Mike N2MG
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WA4PTZ

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Welcome to Hamfests
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2003, 07:43:08 AM »

I went to the Nashville Hamfest , in Smyrna, Saturday
and it was pretty good. It got too hot by about 10:30
AM and I had to leave. The location was hard to find,
and the instructions inadequate. Talk-in SUCKED.
 I had looked at everything 4 times and bought a few
parts. I guess next year they will hold it in East
Jesus , Wyoming and still call it the "Nashville"
Hamfest. I understand the operating expenses.
It was smaller than last year, but every hamfest
I've been to has been smaller. I guess folks don't
like to socialize much anymore. That's one of the
reasons I go . Some folks I only get to see once or
twice a year. Seems that the internet is having a
large effect. Looking forward to the "Cedars" tail-
gate extravaganza in August.  
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KG4MCC

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Welcome to Hamfests
« Reply #2 on: June 16, 2003, 02:15:05 PM »

First of all, thanks Mike for the forum.

I attended the hamfest in Winston-Salem, NC on June 7th.

It was very disappointing. Some of the disappointment may have been my fault, as I was expecting at least one dealer to be present, but the sponsoring club did not promise any dealers on their website. I also expected a few more private sellers. However, there was very little information on their website, so I really didn't know what to expect.

There were very few people selling quality equipment, and there wasn't much. There were old 8088 type PC's and old police/public radios that looked like they had been through a flood or something. There were some decent looking keys and switches at a couple of different tables.

Some of the prices were outrageous. An example was an OLD Realistic scanner selling for $85 when you could buy a new one with more features for about $99 at Radio Shack this month.

There were a few 'boat anchors' for sale (mostly old tube receivers), but nothing that would be considered usable for daily communications.

I guess the biggest issue that I have is not knowing what to expect. If the sporsors had said that there would not be dealers, and there are usually about 15 or fewer sellers, then I would have known not to waste my time. I will cut the sponsors a little slack because the weather was bad for this time of year.

It is my opinion that any hamfest sponsor should advertise or post on their website if any dealers or manufacturers are going to attend. They should also list an approximate number of sellers both inside and out (tailgaters) from the previous year.

I think that the Charlotte, NC hamfest does a decent job of letting you know what to expect on their website. The Winston-Salem group could do a lot better with just a little more effort.

73's
Dave - KG4MCC
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N2BR

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Welcome to Hamfests
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2003, 07:00:48 PM »

I went to the Nashville Hamfest saturday also and found the talkin freq information Sucked,The person at the talkin did not know any thing about the area if it was not on his paper he did not know,Found a couple good items and came home be 85 mile drive but wish i had went to the Knoxville Hamfest.Knoxville hamfest was also saturday,I have been to the Knoxville hamfest and its been a good hamfest and the person at on the talk-in freq knows the area very well and also very helpfull.Gess i went to my last Nashville Hamfest its not like what i heard it use to be years ago when it was downtown.Looking forward to the TenTec Hamfest comming up in Oct.
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KK5DR

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Welcome to Hamfests
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2003, 06:33:55 PM »

I've been to Dayton three times now, but it is NOT the best I've ever been to.

The greatest hamfest I've ever had the pleasure of attending since it first started is Belton,TX.!!
This is a higher level "tailgate", 20 acres of indoor tailgating, and tables, 20 more outside.
That's not the best part of it, On the Friday afternoon, prior to the "offical" portion of the hamfest which is on Saturday only, is the "unofficial" BBQ and jam session. Eat BBQ till midnight, listen to C&W and bluegrass pickin, and a little tailgatin too.
Lots of socializing and lie-tellin.

It all happens twice a year in Belton,TX. at the Bell county Expo center. Next one is on October 4th (3rd is Friday).  April is the spring session.

Also, this fest is a "builders paradise", parts, parts and more parts, dirt cheap!
Tons of late model gear at good prices(not the eBay prices you see at others).
Some of the best BA stuff that can be had too.

I can't miss the next session!
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WA4PTZ

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Welcome to Hamfests
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2003, 06:23:56 AM »

Thanks KK5DR for letting us know. This is exactly the
type of information that we need. I know there are
better Hamfests than "Dayton" but no one seems to want
to tell about them . Maybe they are afraid it might
get crowded.
73 - Tim
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KD7EZE

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Welcome to Hamfests
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2003, 11:54:24 AM »

I too have been to Dayton, and decided it's not worth the drive anymore. My favorite hamfest has got to be the one in Lebanon, Missouri. Mainly because it's within my normal driving distance, and has been billed as the largest fest west of the Mississippi. This years fest was even better, with both Jim Haynie, and Riley Hollingsworth giving forums.
I've been to some crappy fests also, but for the life of me I can't remember where they were, and evidently don't go there anymore. I'd be interested in finding other good hamfests within my travel area. I mean good, with respect to other hams recommending them. I get emails for fests on a regular basis, but just don't go to many without a good word from a fellow ham.

'73 de KD7EZE/5
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N8ZUX

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Welcome to Hamfests
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2003, 10:55:36 PM »

Grand Rapids, MI. IRA Hamfest even though the Website crashed ( stuff happens ! ) still I passed my Walkin exam as to getting there well I have my own route don't need Blab-In since I work in that county anyway, I operate Stealth Mode heh heh heh !

GRARA has a new QTH for theirs check out http://www.w8dc.org  SRI Eddie for spilling the beans !  missed last years but I will have to check SKED .

OK gang  Holland Michigan IS going to host a hamfest and they are really getting the Ship into shape and they are bringing out the Brass on this one they did alot of extensive advertising over 1 year in advance Hats off to those people. just plug in K8DAA in your search engine, they have a new site and all the info. there.  Blab-in is 147.060 Mhz. PL 94.8 and the ARRL is mentioned there big time.  If you did attend in the past well now they came up with a new game plan, no negative posts please!! NO PORN garbage is allowed if someone reading this you will be escorted off by the Men in Blue or Brown.

Mark N8ZUX
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WA2JJH

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Welcome to Hamfests
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2003, 08:39:12 PM »

The Timonium HAMFEST in M.D. is great. Twice a year.
  I call it DAYTON jr. Only 4 hours driving from N.Y.C.

    It is about 1/3 the size of DAYTON. However, much of the items at DAYTON hit Timonium first. Then what is not sold at DAYTON, you will see after the summer.

   I have always done much better at Timonium.
You will not get a hotel room! The same people book the room up to a year in advance!

  Like DAYTON, the sellers show up 1-2 days early.
Many bargains between the sellers. However much of the
real buying and selling goes on when the gates open to the general public.

  When you go better show up real early.
Remember.....It is the early worm, that gets the BIRD(wattmeter)

73 de MIKE

   

  If your on the east coast, this is as good as it gets.

  Check for the dates. I cannot go this fall.
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AE5DW

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Welcome to Hamfests
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2004, 02:30:24 AM »

I've been going to the Huntsville Hamfest in Alabama since '95 and it's a great hamfest.  100% indoors with a good mix of vendors, swap tables and manufacturers.  You get a break on a room at the Hilton across the street by asking for the hamfest rate.  Like all the others, it's been getting a bit smaller over the years but still a great hamfest.  Dayton and Huntsville are about all I go to anymore.

It's in August and more info can be found at www.hamfest.org.
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