[Boatanchors] General Comments On Hamfests (Re: Timinium Hamfest)

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Sun, Apr 1, 2012 at 11:30 AM, Garey Barrell <k4oah at mindspring.com> wrote:


> I doubt if the hamfests that are centered around a flea market will
> survive much longer.  Many have
> already disappeared, and others are fading.  However, the good news is
> that some have figured this
> out and are starting to revert to some of the old ideas.  Technical and
> other informative
> presentations are coming back, and people are actually sitting and
> visiting with distant friends
> they haven't seen since last year, giving them a reason to attend again,
> without the distraction of
> a flea market.  So the hamfests that survive will likely be the ones that
> change with the times and
> offer more than just a steadily shrinking flea market to attendees.
>


One big aspect related to the decline of hamfests gets overlooked quite
often. This being that for a while in the late 70s-90s, it seemed like
every club out there started its own hamfest(fleamarket) as a means of
funding the latest greatest repeater project. I recall dozens of these
around the NY & New England area during that time. The vast majority have
withered on the vine due as much to club politics and lack of interest in
the 2m CB side of ham radio as ebay or any decline in ham radio overall.

The big Hosstraders hamfest/fleamarket in NH was the biggest in the area
for years, until they retired in February 2007. The group who replaced this
hamfest with the New England Amateur Radio Festival did indeed move back to
more of the convention/festival approach that was popular in the 50s-60s
era including guest speakers, workshops, displays, special event stations,
a Friday night AM dinner and other, more social aspects of amateur radio.
The forums and workshops are well attended as is the dinner, but the
fleamarket is still the big draw. It continues to pull in more sellers and
a lot of great gear, as more and more folks tire of ebay fees, packing,
shipping, and the other endless hassles involved with selling online in
hopes of garnering a few more dollars. I think many realized that the time
they were spending offset any real profit, instead costing them more.

There are a number of excellent events still taking place and even growing
on the east coast. Hamcation in Orlando, Shelby/Dallas NC, Richmond VA
Frostfest, NEAR-Fest, and I'm sure others that I'm missing. The Raleigh
'fest is this coming weekend. They moved to a larger building last year, so
I'm guessing they're doing well too. Never been to but hope to attend
Belton TX someday as I've heard excellent reviews of that event.

The 'stuff' still draws people in, be it to sell or buy. The difference to
me seems to be that, as we get older, we appreciate the opportunity to
spend time with friends more than the 'stuff'. It makes the perfect
backdrop for hanging out with your radio buds, and having a table to sell
at provides a gathering point for folks as well as a place to get off your
feet for a while. The forums, workshops, license exams, event stations and
the rest add content and texture, if you will - the 'something for
everyone' feel that rounds things out nicely and assures that you can
always find something of interest, unless your only interest is the money.

I've often wondered if it comes down to the reason why or who puts on an
event as to how well it's attended and how long it survives. The groups who
enjoy the radio and social gathering seem to hang around longer than the
clubs just looking to make a buck. It's a lot of work, so your heart really
needs to be in it to succeed. Like anything else, if you're doing it just
because you have to, it shows up in the overall quality of the
presentation, so to speak.

No doubt the states and locales controlled by the tax-and-spend approach
will suffer more over time than those who manage their spending well and
let business prosper. That model has been proven on a much larger scale
than any hamfest. As with anything else, in the end the people make the
difference.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4