[Boatanchors] New Ham vs Old Ham

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 2:25 PM, mlangen <lmlangenfeld at tds.net> wrote:
> The "good ole" hamfests were, indeed different: talks on
> DXpeditions; demos; formal, sit-down banquets -- complete with suit & tie,
> award presentations, a banquet speaker, door prizes and (horrors!) a cash
> bar -- the whole deal a lot more formal, choreographed and collegial.

You described our bi-yearly NEAR-Fest almost to the letter, Mark,
though I think Wayne Green is the only one I've seen wearing proper
formal clothing to the event. We have many door prizes, awards given
at the closing ceremonies, and a big AM Dinner off site on Friday
evening. We have demos and guest speakers as varied as the GE Moto
crowd who specialize in converting recently-obsolete gear for UHF work
to Tom Perra discussing things from telegraph keys to the German
Enigma machine. Well-known R-390A guru George Rancourt has provided a
number of workshops on the receiver to standing-room-only crowds and
has recently been offering forums on covert/'spy' radio equipment. He
has another interesting event planned for the spring event. George
Maier W1LSB has given talks on Collins gear. Big Gun DXer Neil K6SMF
has not only given talks, he drives all the way from California to NH
twice a year to attend just because he enjoys the event so much. Wayne
Green has spoken on....well....Wayne Green-type stuff, and the list
goes on.

I think the problem with many events is that they were started by
local clubs who wanted to make a fast buck to buy another repeater or
whatever. Few do it for the love of the hobby or history. And many
attendees are no better. They show up expecting the world laid at
their feet and show little respect for the grounds, the sellers, the
event, or the people who work to put it on. It's the 'all about me'
world we live in, I guess.

No doubt we have our share of "interesting" attendees too. One time
someone even asked me who the homeless guy in the Dodge van was buying
up all the boatanchors (just kidding Carl!!  :D   ). But overall the
group is very considerate of the event and most vendors do well at
policing their surroundings before leaving.

Many of the maladies described by others aren't unique to ham radio
but pertain to society in general. I've been to restaurants where
people smelled so badly I asked to be moved to another table. Go spend
some time at a shopping mall some weekend and hang around near the
food court. It makes a hamfest look like a Mensa meeting. People have
become convinced that the world owes them something and that they'll
be taken care of. Many folks are no doubt waiting for the government
to come give them a sponge bath. :D

As John says, it's all we have. Make the best of it. If you think it's
bad or wrong, step in and help make it better (not as easy as
complaining, but what is?). At the end of the day, it's what ya make
it. Enjoy it, life is short, and amateur radio, moreso.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4

http://near-fest.com/