VT HamCon 28 Feb 2009

[methusaleh]

No idea why I didn't post this earlier, I've known about it for months!

Next Saturday is the first Vermont HamCon, continuing the tradition of the Milton Hamfest, but bigger, better, and at a new venue!

My club is putting on the event and I will be there bright and early at 0600 to open the doors.

Anyone interested can post below, PM me, or visit our site:

http://www.ranv.org/hamcon.html

Open to everyone, whether you are an OF, new ham, prospective ham, electronics hobbyist, or just curious about the hobby!

[Zombie Axe]

Sounds like fun :) My local club sponsors one in NC in April... gotta love Hamfest season :)

[barkingowl]

So what happens at a hamfest?

[methusaleh]

Here is my non-PC, very honest and uncensored answer:

Generally...

Bargain hunters like me show up so early as to annoy vendors in the flea market area (event opens at 0800, I plan to be there by 0630...which is about an hour later than I prefer!), we swarm all over the place like hungry sharks, buy up all the good stuff cheap, then take a break for breakfast and socializing. "Hosstrading" abounds as people bring unwanted things in from their vehicles, or stand at their vehicles to arrange trades for other peoples' junk.

Around 0900 the presentations begin. There can be anything from a slideshow about a DXpedition, to a formal RACES or ARES class, to a technical demonstration of a newfangled piece of equipment. Sometimes VE sessions are held throughout the day for new and upgrading hams.

Throughout the day there is also a hall dedicated to more corporate setups than the other hall's private flea-market-style booths, including displays from major manufacturers, high-end vendors, and public service groups. That room is usually much quieter because people aren't there to haggle prices and get into screaming arguments, as always happens in the flea market area.

At the end of the day, there will be a pile of unwanted equipment (inevitably) that the sellers/trades did not want to haul home, that someone like me picks up and proceeds to sell on eBay and make a killing on...raising enough money to justify buying more new toys...which will eventually be traded or sold at another hamfest or eBay...and the cycle goes on and on and on...:)

[Zombie Axe]

Very true methusaleh and an accurate assessment of hamfests...

My simplified version... like a gunshow but with radios ;)

[methusaleh]

Ha ha ha EXACTLY!!!

Made a few small scores today, sold a couple things, the flea market wasn't as good as the huge outdoors ones in warmer weather.

Deal I passed up that I am kicking myself over: near-new Alinco DRM06 6-meter mobile for $65...damn!

Very true methusaleh and an accurate assessment of hamfests...

My simplified version... like a gunshow but with radios ;)