[AMRadio] hamfest?

[Bernie Doran]

I went to my first hamfest/computer show in many years today thinking I 
might find some interesting AM gear.  ignoring the computer stuff, probably 
only 20%. I saw a nice Halicrafters rx, about ten or so nice Heathkits, a 
390A, perhaps 20 modern ssb transceivers.  all could have been on a thirty 
foot table. What else? CB transceivers stacked six deep, Jewerly, auto truck 
repair manuals, tire tools, dozens of record players, thousands of CDs, VHS 
tapes etc. stuffed animals, candles and jellies, slide projectors, bobble 
heads, hundreds of ink jet cartriges, light strings and Christmas 
decorations, and best of all, syringes beside minature digital scales!

There probably were 400 people there so this must be what they want.  It 
looked like Wal Mart, 400 pounders waddling back and forth and stinking of 
cigarette smoke.    This pretty much indicated to me why we have a different 
type of operator on the ham bands.  However, trying to be objective, Those 
of us who at least try to be polite, may well in a short period of time, if 
not now, be in the minority and it could be argued that we are in the wrong 
and out of step.

This looked simply like a flea market.    And, yes, before anyone says, if 
you did not like it, do not go again.  I certainly will not.

Is this typical?    Bernie  W8RPW