[Boatanchors] Imagine a world without hamfests

[rbethman]

As usual Jim,

You have mis-characterized the post!

Please provide the specific line # of "continuous hamfests".

Michael is only asking for someone for a "little" break.

I've been out where he is, and I'll tell you that what WE take for
granted HERE on the Mainland, (or Lower 48), is entirely different than
what turns up in HI or Alaska.

Worse, try being out of the US entirely!

Bob - N0DGN

Jim wrote:
> I don't know how you got the impression that the mainland has continuous 
> hamfests.
> Sadly, most of the local hamfests are gone or poorly attended.
>
> There are a few large regional hamfests and while they are closer than KH6 
> land, attendance usually requires a very long drive and the time to do so.
> Lastly, the parts at a hamfest are not lined up in neat rows with the exact 
> component specs. just waiting to be plucked by a happy buyer.
>
> Mouser, Allied and many other parts houses have on-line catalogues and the 
> USPS delivers.
>
>
> Jim
>
>   
>> Several times I've mentioned needing something only to have people
>> tell me how available and cheap they are at hamfests.  The number of
>> hams in the US (700,000 as I recall) is just a touch less than the
>> total population of Oahu discounting tourists, no fixed address and
>> the state government.  (On reflection, the total count may be slightly
>> over if I discount the government.)  This is a small state and I live
>> on the most populous island in the state.  The next county is some 50
>> miles away and the interstate system here doesn't go between counties
>> let alone to the mainland.  We don't have hamfests as they're
>> understood on the mainland but we also don't have the basements &
>> closets of equipment that swaps homes that are so available on the
>> mainland.  Many homes here don't even have basements or large closets
>> which may be a reason why, but so would the fact that there isn't
>> anything like the amount of equipment & parts available here as there
>> is on the mainland.
>>
>> That said, when I've asked that someone pick something up for me
>> that's so easy and cheap to find and that I'd pay them from the next
>> coming pension check, I get zero response.  I'm not out to stiff
>> anyone and I have never done so.  Any of a number of people can
>> confirm that.  Nor am I looking for anything obscure or outrageous ...
>> well, except a life companion and that's pure unobtainium, and I'm
>> pretty much on my own on that quest.
>>
>> The way I see it, this comes down to either (or both) of two
>> possibilities.  The first is trust and I can understand that.  The
>> second is a give a [insert really bad word here] attitude and I can't
>> understand that.  While you're thinking about (or ignoring) that,
>> re-read the subject line.  That's pretty much where I live.
>>
>> BEst regards,
>>
>> Michael, WH7HG