[Boatanchors] SHELBY, AN OVERVIEW

[W4AWM at aol.com]

I arrived at the fairgrounds late Thursday afternoon to find a good 3/4 of 
the spaces in the main fleamarket area already booked.  The way they do it here 
is to put a colored flag in each space.  You pick up as many flags as you eed 
spaces and take them to the flea market coordinators. Each flag has a mark on 
it corresponding to the space number.  You pay for the space and it is yours 
for the remasinder of the time you are here.  Overflow spaces are in a lower 
lot outside the main area and are not reserved. You pay for these spaces when 
you arrive as in many local hamfests.

The weather was perfect.  So far, no rain, lots of sun with intermittant 
clouds. So far, the only rain in the forecast is slated for late Sunday afternoon.

Shelby is as much a social event as it is a hamfest. Some folks arrive a week 
before the event and set up their motorhomes, trailers and a few tents in the 
abundant camping area. Horsetrading goes on all week. Most the commercial 
vendors affive late Friday or early Saturday, although a few are on hand earlier 
in the week.

What did you miss by not attending what is billed as " the gradddaddy of all 
hamfests?"  Well that depends on what you are looking for, but there were 
certainly a lot of anchors for your boat.  There was a fair amount of Collins 
newer S-Line gear.  I must admid my ignorance of this fine manufacturer, bit I saw 
at least one of each KWM-2,  30S-1, Station control, etc.  Hallicrafters was 
well represented with 
S-38B,C & D models, an S-53,118, several SX-42s and 43s, several SX-28s, 95, 
99, 100s, a 115, SX-16, R-42s, etc.  There was a Hammarlund HX-50 HQ-105TR, 
129X, 200, HQ-145, 170, 180, etc. Heath was represented by test gear, Apache, 
Mohawk, Maurader, and SB-10s.  On the national side, there was an old HRO, a 
couple of transceivers and others. I saw several Gonset converters and a "gooney 
box. Several towers changed hands and there was at least one unsold late this 
afternoon.  I don't know a lot about Kenwood and Icom but there was plenty 
there for devotees of these marques. A good number of TS-940s were in 
evidence.There was a small amount of surplus gear and tons of parts and a good number of 
tube sellers. There was a small amount of broadcast equipment including 
several full sized audio consoles and a number of Shure M-47 mixers. I know I have 
neglected a lot of gear, but there was plenty there.

Sunday at a 2 day hamfest is usually a bit slower than Saturday, but those 
living in the area still have tome to make it. Things start Sunday at 6:00AM and 
the commercial buildings are slated to open at 8:00.  There is plenty of 
food, drinks, fresh roasted peanuts and home made ice cream made while you watch.

Y'all  come on down, ya here. ( I have no connection with the hamfest 
management, sponsoring club(s) of dealers, but I know a good hamfest when I attend 
it.)

73, 

John, W4AWM