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

[Garey Barrell]

Todd -

More good points.

The repeater funding concept seems to have died out, much as use of the repeaters has declined.  
Most seem to just be 'placeholders', and probably a good number are not even operational any more.  
HT's didn't get as small as cell phones fast enough!

I've been to all the hamfests you listed, except for Hosstraders.  Agreed, although some of those 
are also shrinking, especially the flea market portion.  Shelby apparently hasn't done well after 
its move.  Another limiting factor has been the choice of venue.  Some, primarily the smaller ones, 
have moved into MUCH more expensive spots, many of which no longer allow outside fleas.  Dayton is 
an example of the other extreme.  The building was crumbling the last time I was there, and so far 
as I have heard it hasn't gotten any better.  Like most business decisions, there are always 
trade-offs!  As someone else mentioned, not many are anxious to move that 50 pound power supply in 
and out of a building that might take several hundred yards to access.  Those used to be prime 
fodder because shipping expenses disqualified eBay.  The 'Stone Mountain' hamfest near Atlanta had 
held on pretty well, although I heard that this year they were WAY down.  There used to be a 
half-dozen hamfests around Atlanta, but most have disappeared.

Another factor is the general aging of the license base.  Many of the guys who used to cruise the 
flea market endlessly are now either riding a scooter or staying home.

Nothing to be said further about the tax boys.  I used to go to the Chattanooga hamfest every year, 
and one year the tax guys showed up.  Attendance went to near zero very quickly.  I know I never 
went back.

73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA

Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
<www.k4oah.com>


Todd, KA1KAQ wrote:
> Todd - 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