Just curious, how many of you have purchased your Hamvention tickets/credentials for this MAy hamfest extravaganza?

I'm hoping to make the Foiur Days in May gathering of QRP Ops and the Hamfest in Xenia. Won't know for a few more weeks.

I don't really need anything but the pandemic has killed most of the hamfests around here, and I haven't been to Hamvention sibce it moved from Trotwood OH to Xenia Ohio.

73

Regards,
Brian KB9BVN
--- WinPoint 398.2
* Origin: Just another Point Node (1:229/426.31)

Hello Brian,

17 Feb 22 18:23, you wrote to All:

Just curious, how many of you have purchased your Hamvention tickets/credentials for this MAy hamfest extravaganza?

I've never been. Never have had the money to do it in the past 25 years.

-- Sean KS4TD

... Reality is for people who can't face science fiction.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20180707
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Just curious, how many of you have purchased your Hamvention tickets/credentials for this MAy hamfest extravaganza?

Ticket and hotel secured. Son is a student so gets in free. I'll be rolling deep with my crew of mid-70 year old hams.


- Andre, WT9X
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: Radio Mentor BBS - bbs.radiomentor.org (1:154/70)

//Hello Sean,//

on *18.02.22* at *0:05:05* You wrote in area *HAM*
to *Brian KB9BVN* about *"Hamvention"*.

Hello Brian,

17 Feb 22 18:23, you wrote to All:

Just curious, how many of you have purchased your Hamvention
tickets/credentials for this MAy hamfest extravaganza?

I've never been. Never have had the money to do it in the past 25 years.

I only live 2 hours (2.5 hours now they moved it) away so didn't have the cost of a hotel, and I usually only went to the Hamvention for just one day, usually Saturday. When I go to Four Days in May I have to pay for three nights (Weds, Thurs, Fri) at the Holiday Inn Express in Fairborn, the QRP Amateur Radio Club International gets us a slight discount but it's $500 easy by the time you add in gas, meals, and hamfest tickets. FDIM has QRP Forums all day Thursday, which is a line up of speakers from around the world. Friday is a day at the hamfest then they have a Buildathon, a QRP Club Night, and a Vendor night where you can buy new kits and parts and stuff. Saturday is back at the hamfest, Saturday night is the annual QRP Banquet and QRP Hall of Fame inductees are inducted. I usually head back to Indy after the banquet.

If you ever get a chance to go to Dayton, do it at least once. It's really something to see.


Regards,
Brian KB9BVN
--- WinPoint 398.2
* Origin: Just another Point Node (1:229/426.31)

//Hello Andre,//

on *18.02.22* at *0:53:01* You wrote in area *HAM*
to *Brian KB9BVN* about *"Hamvention"*.

Just curious, how many of you have purchased your Hamvention
tickets/credentials for this MAy hamfest extravaganza?

Ticket and hotel secured. Son is a student so gets in free. I'll be
rolling deep with my crew of mid-70 year old hams.

Have you been to the new venue in Xenia before? I have not. Last time for to Dayton was the last year they had it in Trotwood OH at the Hare Arena.


Regards,
Brian KB9BVN
--- WinPoint 398.2
* Origin: I might be moving to Montana soon (1:229/426.31)

Hello Brian,

17 Feb 22 19:53, you wrote to me:

If you ever get a chance to go to Dayton, do it at least once. It's
really something to see.

Dayton is about a seven hour drive from me and due to my being handicapped it can be difficult to me to travel. I might get up there one of these years after I get Social Security.

-- Sean KS4TD

... When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20180707
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Just curious, how many of you have purchased your Hamvention
tickets/credentials for this MAy hamfest extravaganza?

Ticket and hotel secured. Son is a student so gets in free. I'll be rolling deep with my crew of mid-70 year old hams.

Have you been to the new venue in Xenia before? I have not. Last time
for to Dayton was the last year they had it in Trotwood OH at the Hare Arena.

Wow, you guys have a much more active ham community than any around here! If that sort of stuff went on in my area, I'd probably have got my license way sooner. It's still fun just to Rx, though...

McDoob
SysOp, PiBBS
pibbs.sytes.net

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: PiBBS (1:229/110)

Have you been to the new venue in Xenia before? I have not. Last time for to Dayton was the last year they had it in Trotwood OH at the Hare Arena.

I've never been at all. I'll see you at the banquet though. My hair is not grey, and I'll be at a table with a ham in middle school. Should make me recognizable. :D


- Andre, WT9X
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: Radio Mentor BBS - bbs.radiomentor.org (1:154/70)

Wow, you guys have a much more active ham community than any around here! If that sort of stuff went on in my area, I'd probably have got my license way sooner. It's still fun just to Rx, though...

Milwaukee has a relatively active community, helped of course with being a mid-sized city. And luckily for me, I coincidentally live in a city with the nicest Ham Radio Outlet.

I'd use the term "active" pretty loosely though. As the guys advance in age, they're less and less active. But eventually I ended up getting into a Field Day club where we get outside reasonably often as long as there isn't snow on the ground.


- Andre, WT9X
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: Radio Mentor BBS - bbs.radiomentor.org (1:154/70)

//Hello Shaun,//

on *18.02.22* at *1:50:46* You wrote in area *HAM*
to *Brian KB9BVN* about *"Re: Hamvention"*.

Wow, you guys have a much more active ham community than any around here! If that sort of stuff went on in my area, I'd probably have got my
license way sooner. It's still fun just to Rx, though...

What do you RX with? Have you played around much with the little SDR dongles?

I have a reallly terrible antenna at home, an attic dipole, cut for 1/2 wave on 40m. I make contacts with it but hearing DX is sometimes impossible, BUT it seems to be a decent shortwave receiving antenna when I get time to do any SWLing. So I do a lot of operating outdoors in the parks, or parking lots with a portable vertical antenna and my Elecraft K2.

In the US we have 3 license classes, my two 12 year old grandkids passed their Technician Exam on the first try and when my grand daughter gets on the air, as usual, it's an instant pile up. I think I saw you say you lived in Canada, I am not familiar with the licensing there but I QSO with a lot of Canadian hams (Canadian Bacons?) from here near Indy. I operate CW mostly, then some SSB and very little digital.


Regards,
Brian KB9BVN
--- WinPoint 398.2
* Origin: Pass the pizza (1:229/426.31)

What do you RX with? Have you played around much with the little SDR dongles?

Yes, that's what I'm using, a RTL-SDR dongle, with telescopic dipole. It's nothing special, but it cost less than $100 for two of them.

In the US we have 3 license classes, my two 12 year old grandkids passed their Technician Exam on the first try and when my grand daughter gets
on the air, as
usual, it's an instant pile up. I think I saw you say you lived in
Canada, I am
not familiar with the licensing there but I QSO with a lot of Canadian hams (Canadian Bacons?) from here near Indy. I operate CW mostly, then some SSB and very little digital.

I believe there are two classes here, but don't quote me on that. It has been
a while since I looked at getting my license. For the most part, I tend to
use my devices to listen to the local trunks for police/ambulance, or ADS-B/ACARS from aircraft. I live quite close to a major airport.

McDoob
SysOp, PiBBS
pibbs.sytes.net

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: PiBBS (1:229/110)

Brian,

Have you been to the new venue in Xenia before? I have not. Last time
for to Dayton was the last year they had it in Trotwood OH at the Hare Arena.

After they moved it to Xenia, a tornado hit Hara Arena. They were
supposed to demolish the place, but I think they were going to auction
off the sign and maybe some of the chairbacks for charity.

Daryl, WX4QZ

... Xmodem - A modem that has been hit by lightning.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)

Sean,

Dayton is about a seven hour drive from me and due to my being
handicapped it can be difficult to me to travel. I might get up there
one of these years after I get Social Security.

I wouldn't be optimistic on that. Those on disability basically get "a
mere pittance", and that amount gets cut greatly once you turn 65.

Daryl, WX4QZ

... I'm an amateur crastinator. Some day, I'll turn pro.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)

Brian,

Just curious, how many of you have purchased your Hamvention tickets/credentials for this MAy hamfest extravaganza?

I've never been to either Hamvention or Hamcation. I had hoped to
take Amtrak to the Duke City Hamfest in Albuquerque right after my
Mom died 2 1/2 years ago (just to get away from things for a bit),
but I never got the chance. I attended the Huntsville, Alabama Hamfest
5 years ago, but the bus ride between Little Rock and Huntsville
(through Memphis, with a change in Nashville) nearly killed me.

The seats were so cramped (far less than on a plane, let alone on
Amtrak, which I prefer)...that my legs locked up, and were like
water when I went to stand up. Then, to make matters worse, my pants
fell off my hips when I went to stand up. Had I not had Depends on
(getting old is not for sissies, but it doesn't last long), it would
would've been "full moon rising" (hi hi).

I have family in Nashville (they're in poor health now), but they
provided transportation on the way back (I had a long layover) to
a local White Castle for gut grenades (hi hi) and french fries...
and a visit to their home.

There are only 3 hamfests in Arkansas now...Hoxie (west of Walnut
Ridge) in mid-February...Mena (always the weekend after Labor Day, and
it's the oldest hamfest west of the Mississippi River), and Morrilton
(a small hamfest on Petit Jean Mountain the Saturday of Columbus Day
Weekend). Due to Covid-19, both Russellville and Fort Smith (for now)
are not doing hamfests.

And, because of all the petty bickering with the central Arkansas
area clubs (never mind no one wants to do the work involved), Little
Rock last had a hamfest in 2016...and I doubt one will ever be here
again. In the past, I had done talk-in, but in its final years, I
headed up the VE Testing, and did a forum. A PDF file on the content
is available off of the hyperlink on my QRZ bio.

With health and finances, my hamfest days are over. I thought about
going to Hoxie earlier this month, but I had to get the fluids checked
and changed on my car.

Daryl, WX4QZ

... I got gas for 99 cents today...but it was from Taco Bell.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)

Sean,

I've never been. Never have had the money to do it in the past 25
years.

Never mind the price of transportation, lodging, food, and gear.

Daryl

... Lawsuit: What attorneys wear to court.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)

Re: Hamvention
By: Brian KB9BVN to All on Thu Feb 17 2022 18:23:49

Just curious, how many of you have purchased your Hamvention tickets/credentials for this MAy hamfest extravaganza?

Haven't bought my ticket yet, but I do expect to be there with a few other BBS people.

I don't really need anything but the pandemic has killed most of the

No justification needed. I never go there looking for anything in particular. Most of the fun is in roaming around the flea market and meeting new folks at the beer tent.

hamfests around here, and I haven't been to Hamvention sibce it moved from Trotwood OH to Xenia Ohio.

I do get nostalgic about the old Hara Arena venue and miss it sometimes, but it really was begging to be torn down. The new facility is superior in almost every way. It's the same convention, same vendors, same people, better surroundings, better food options, fewer eruptions of raw sewage.

VE3XEC

---
echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com
* Origin: electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com (1:229/200)

Daryl Stout wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

Never mind the price of transportation, lodging, food, and gear.

If I go, I'll probably be going in a RV. That will cut a lot of the costs because I can bring food with me and have everything already set up. If I
have a motorhome, I can bring home with me to the convention center and that will save even more by not having to buy food. Plus, if I get tired, I can always go take a nap.

The important things in my life: food and sleep!

73 DE KS4TD,
Sean

... "When I was a boy the Dead Sea was only sick." - George Burns
--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Daryl Stout wrote to Brian KB9BVN <=-

There are only 3 hamfests in Arkansas now...Hoxie (west of Walnut

There's several hamfests in Tennessee: one is about 40 minutes from here in Greeneville and two are within an easy two hour drive: Knoxville and Sevierville. Chattanooga is about three hours. The Shelby, NC hamfest
is about a two and a half hour drive southeast of me and the other ones are west and southwest of me respectively. All three are worth the time and effort. Having a power scooter will come in very handy for hamfests.

And, because of all the petty bickering with the central Arkansas
area clubs

That's what killed off our main local hamfest. The main organizer died and
no one wanted to do his work.

73 DE KS4TD,
Sean

... If your mind goes blank, remember to turn off the sound.
--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Sean,

The important things in my life: food and sleep!

Sounds like what dogs and cats think (hi hi).

In the sermon at my church this morning, those two points were
highlighted. If you don't take time out for rest and refreshment,
you are going to hit bottom.

At those events, it's better if you have a scooter to get
around with...that walking will wear you out in a hurry!!

Daryl, WX4QZ

... Error: Bad Or Missing Mouse Driver. Blame The Cat?? (Y/n)
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)

Sean,

There's several hamfests in Tennessee: one is about 40 minutes from
here in Greeneville and two are within an easy two hour drive:
Knoxville and Sevierville. Chattanooga is about three hours. The
Shelby, NC hamfest is about a two and a half hour drive southeast of me and the other ones are west and southwest of me respectively. All
three are worth the time and effort. Having a power scooter will come
in very handy for hamfests.

I think the Sevierville one is coming up soon. I want to say they used
to do that one at the Ten-Tec facility. Are they still even in business??

That's what killed off our main local hamfest. The main organizer died and no one wanted to do his work.

Everyone wants the glory and benefits, but no wants the gall and the
work. It's like you have plenty of folks to checkin to nets...but DON'T
YOU DARE ask them to be Net Control, a club officer, a hamfest worker,
etc. Or they think that these events "just magically happen by themselves".
I guess they've been sniffing the oil from a dummy load too long. :P

Daryl, WX4QZ

... The Flat Earth Society has members all over the globe.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)

Daryl Stout wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

I think the Sevierville one is coming up soon. I want to say they
used to do that one at the Ten-Tec facility. Are they still even in business??

Yes, they are. I believe they got bought out and HQ is in Colorado but
their factory in Sevierville is still going and if you are local and buy a radio from them, you can pick it up right at the factory.

I would love to find a Ten-Tec Scout with all of the freqency modules to use
as a "out in the sticks" rig. Once I can get Social Security and my 4WD Pathfinder fixed, I fully intend on doing a lot more mountian topping and SOTA/POTA activations.

Everyone wants the glory and benefits, but no wants the gall and the work. It's like you have plenty of folks to checkin to nets...but DON'T YOU DARE ask them to be Net Control, a club officer, a hamfest worker, etc. Or they think that these events "just magically happen by themselves". I guess they've been sniffing the oil from a dummy load
too long. :P

That and politics...which is why I will not join any of the clubs in my area anymore.

73 DE KS4TD,
Sean

... All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence then success is sure.
--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

That and politics...which is why I will not join any of the clubs in my area anymore.

In large enough communities, clubs without politics do exist. But they're not advertised and either invite-only or require sponsorship to attend and eventually join.

But even in clubs with politics, it's relatively easy to overthrow the leaders. The problem is that you still have a bunch of people who are adverse to change and/or adverse to doing anything with purpose... Meetings are mostly social gatherings these days.


- Andre
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: Radio Mentor BBS - bbs.radiomentor.org (1:154/70)

Andre,

But even in clubs with politics, it's relatively easy to overthrow the leaders. The problem is that you still have a bunch of people who are adverse to change and/or adverse to doing anything with purpose... Meetings are mostly social gatherings these days.

The Seven Last Words Of a [Club, Church, etc.]:

"We never did it that way before".

Daryl, WX4QZ

... Excessive mouse activity detected. Running CAT.EXE to fix.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)

Sean,

Yes, they are. I believe they got bought out and HQ is in Colorado but their factory in Sevierville is still going and if you are local and
buy a radio from them, you can pick it up right at the factory.

That saves shipping costs.

I would love to find a Ten-Tec Scout with all of the freqency modules
to use as a "out in the sticks" rig. Once I can get Social Security
and my 4WD Pathfinder fixed, I fully intend on doing a lot more
mountian topping and SOTA/POTA activations.

One ham said for him that POTA stood for "pizza on the air" (I think
I noted this in another message). And, you or someone else noted that
a lot of these mobile setups are at restaurants. One club in Ravenna,
Ohio, has a gathering with classic cars and rigs at the local A&W in
August. Darn...now, I want a root beer float. :P

That and politics...which is why I will not join any of the clubs in my area anymore.

I'm the webmaster for the Cabot Nightflyers Net (I don't know if that
net ever will be revived or not), and the VE Team Liaison for the UALR (University Of Arkansas At Little Rock) ham radio club. Otherwise, I'm
not part of any local club, either. All my on the air stuff is outside
of Arkansas.

With the storms last evening and overnight (there are storms to my
south right now, moving northeast, but they'll miss me), the BBS was
down, and I took the night off from my nets (I had backup Net Control
stations lined up), and I may have to do the same tonight. They're
expecting a significant ice storm in north Arkansas Wednesday and
Thursday, with just a cold rain here.

Daryl, WX4QZ

... DOSSHELL -- Where you go when DOSMOBIL is closed.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)