[ARC5] HamCom 2012, Plano, Texas Report

[Don Merz]

No pic of the old man?
73 de N3EHT


________________________________
 From: David Stinson <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>
To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net; boatanchors at theporch.com; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net; ARC-5 List <arc5 at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 11:21 AM
Subject: [ARC5] HamCom 2012, Plano, Texas Report
 
HamCom in Plano, Texas, June 8-9 was great fun
and it was good to see both old and new friends.
Hot outside, but not nearly as bad as the last two years.
Crowd did seem somewhat down from previous years,
especially the outdoor flea market.
The flea-market problem had two roots:
First, the weather was predicted to be rainy and,
of course, was not.  Arrrgh!
Second, and IMHO more important:  As in other
places, some pointy-headed, John Lennon-glasses local
government idiot put on his "Little Napoleon" hat and
decided that the $12.87 he collected in *sales taxes*
from individuals was more important than
the economic activity of hundreds of people buying
food, lodging etc. in Plano.  Moron....

Anyways... there was a fair selection of boatanchors
and a good amount of interest in the WWII rig display.
Of course, my beautiful daughters, Amanda and little Annabelle
helped with that ;-) (Amber was otherwise occupied this year).

Link to HamCom 2012 boatanchor photos:

http://s948.photobucket.com/albums/ad321/arc5stinson/

Again, please accept my humble thanks to everyone
who lent a hand (and sometimes a foot, leg and misc. eyeball)
in making the display a success.

If The Almighty decides to put-up with my nonsense
for another year,  I'll be doing another at HamCom 2013-
also assuming the world doesn't end on 21 Dec. ;-)
Will for sure include a Women's Army Service Pilot section;
they don't get the recognition they deserve, and I have a
very cool WASP radio for the centerpiece of that.
Haven't decided on the other rigs yet.
Open to suggestions.
In the "restore" queue: ATD, RAX, GF/RU, GP-7, TCS,
ARA/ATA, RAT and, in case we decide to branch into infantry,
SCR-288, SCR-194, SCR-156.

Couple of tips for anyone who, like me, lacks good sense
and decides to do this:  Don't print more than 100 handouts.
Most people don't take them.
Keep your signs brief and to-the-point.  Some of mine
were still too "wordy."  Even those who think it's "neat" won't
read beyond three sentances.  You're not going to interest
everyone, but you're only after "the elite" anyway.
Have one rig with which everyone is familiar- "ARC-5" if
aircraft, something like BC-611 if Infantry.  This grabs
their attention and they will take the time to look at the other rigs.
Do NOT leave things that are easily pocketed or hidden
in a coat unattended.  A loose BC-611 without someone
watching it will walk out the door in two seconds flat.
Original tuning knobs on an ARC-5 receiver will magically
evaporate, even with you standing there.  Don't include them.
Remember- in a hamfest with, say, 1500 attending,
if only 1 percent are crooks, that's 15 crooks running around-
plenty to create some nastyness.
The little Japanese radio went home with me Friday night.

All that aside, it was a terrific time with lots of good
folks, great stories and good fellowship.
Sore feet, but worth it.  See ya next year.

GL OM ES 73 DE Dave AB5S

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