I've gone 5 of the past 6 years.
4 years ago there was a tent full of old AS/400 CPUs.
Less of that this year. Still, a lot of junk every year.
People wanting high-dollar for very-worn equipment.
That was disappointing.

What gets me is the guys selling bootleg MS software for big bucks.
Illegal as all get-out.
But tolerated, apparently, by HamVention.
They could get in big trouble.
That would be sad.

But it's not the only way that the WWW has changed Dayton.
It's changed the whole of communication.
Repeater/IP connections may be nifty, but they're not radio.

Collin
KC8TKA

I am a new Ham and have been to two ham fests this year put on by local
clubs. Very disappointing. I thought maybe I could get some used
equipment
since I had none. If I had been looking for 23 channel CBs or obsolete
computer junk I would have been all set. I thought selling old 23
channel Cbs was illegal because of the power.There was a real dealer at
the one so I got a new VX 150 from them.Got home and there was no
paperwork in the box. Went back to get it at 11:45 AM. The thing was
suppose to last till 1PM.
Everyone was already packing up all their junk.This dealer had no time
to find my manual and stuff and said they would mail it.Took 2 weeks.
Lucky for me I found a manuel on line. I'll still try different ham
fests but if the granddaddy was a bust I don't know about the small
clubs.

On 22 May 2006 13:45:44 -0700, "sapper" wrote:

I am a new Ham and have been to two ham fests this year put on by local
clubs. Very disappointing. I thought maybe I could get some used
equipment
since I had none.

There was lots of used equipment at the Hamvention.

If I had been looking for 23 channel CBs or obsolete
computer junk I would have been all set. I thought selling old 23
channel Cbs was illegal because of the power.

Nope - old 23 ch CB's are 5 watts, too, and perfectly legal.

There was a real dealer at
the one so I got a new VX 150 from them.Got home and there was no
paperwork in the box. Went back to get it at 11:45 AM. The thing was
suppose to last till 1PM.
Everyone was already packing up all their junk.This dealer had no time
to find my manual and stuff and said they would mail it.Took 2 weeks.
Lucky for me I found a manuel on line. I'll still try different ham
fests but if the granddaddy was a bust I don't know about the small
clubs.

The granddaddy was not a bust, it was awesome. Had a great time (always do).
There was about anything you could want, I think, either used out in the flea
market, or new inside the buildings.

Dave Head
K8DH

I'll have to agree with this. I found what I was looking for plus an
old Allied A2516 tube ham receiver practically given away because it
had a blown fuse and missing cover screws. Other than that a great
time seeing old friends, alot of new stuff, and the weather was
perfect. I don't think Ebay can steal any of that. Maybe it wasn't
the best place to find antique radios, but it's a HAMfest and old
radios are not the majority of what you find there. If anyone thinks
that the crowd is less because of Ebay, wrong!! Hamfest numbers have
drifted downward in the past few years due to diminishing ranks in Ham
Radio. Now if this were a computer show you'd see a bigger crowd.
In short, you get what you get out of a Hamfest. Just because you
don't find alot of give aways at the flea market doesn't mean it's a
disaster. There is always plenty of other things to do. This is true
for the smaller hamfests as well.

I'm not too far away, either. that makes it practical.

Perhaps those concerned about motel costs would do better to stay
in Springfield or even Columbus.

KC8TKA

"Cheesehead" wrote in news:1148396470.879595.65430
@j73g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

I'm not too far away, either. that makes it practical.

Perhaps those concerned about motel costs would do better to stay
in Springfield or even Columbus.

KC8TKA


I stayed on the west side of Columbus one year [great new motels, great
restaurants], and near Hamilton another year [near to both a never ending
supply of Cincinnati chili and Jungle Jim's] -- worked out great both
times.

"Cheesehead" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm not too far away, either. that makes it practical.

Perhaps those concerned about motel costs would do better to stay
in Springfield or even Columbus.

KC8TKA


Even as close as Vandalia there are smaller motels with quite reasonable
rooms.

So far the only ones who realize it's dead.

RadioGary wrote:
I'll have to agree with this. I found what I was looking for plus an
old Allied A2516 tube ham receiver practically given away because it
had a blown fuse and missing cover screws. Other than that a great
time seeing old friends, alot of new stuff, and the weather was
perfect. I don't think Ebay can steal any of that. Maybe it wasn't
the best place to find antique radios, but it's a HAMfest and old
radios are not the majority of what you find there. If anyone thinks
that the crowd is less because of Ebay, wrong!! Hamfest numbers have
drifted downward in the past few years due to diminishing ranks in Ham
Radio. Now if this were a computer show you'd see a bigger crowd.
In short, you get what you get out of a Hamfest. Just because you
don't find alot of give aways at the flea market doesn't mean it's a
disaster. There is always plenty of other things to do. This is true
for the smaller hamfests as well.

I can see there was no response to this. Wow. Bitch on, LOL

Cheesehead wrote:
I'm not too far away, either. that makes it practical.

Perhaps those concerned about motel costs would do better to stay
in Springfield or even Columbus.

KC8TKA


We generally stay at the Holiday Inn at one of the Sidney exits. $69
Thursday night (business rates), $59 Friday and Saturday nights. Can
always get it, it's outside the sphere of influence of the Hamvention.
40 miles or so to Hara, but that goes by real quick. Sits right beside
a Bob Evans restaurant, and across the street from a Waffle House, so
breakfast is guaranteed to be good, which is all you need. Dinner can
be taken anywhere near the Hamvention, then just drive back north. If
you don't have an 8 mpg truck, its just fine.

Dave Head
K8DH