[Boatanchors] Dayton hamfest photos 2026

[Rob Atkinson]

Thanks for the info. It confirms what I suspected, that most hams just
look at the plastic radios, the digital stuff, picnic table setups,
MOSFETs, SMT soldering, raspberry pi and arduino whatever that is.
Maybe it means arduous.  Even the antennas fail to interest me, the
latest rave being end fed half waves with a balun.   I'm not parochial
even though it seems like I am.  I do use the Kiwi SDRs.  But as
someone who worked in IT for years before retiring, the last thing I
want to do for radio is stare at computer monitors.  I feel like most
hams today may as well be doing shortwave commodities trading and
making some money at least.

73
Rob
K5UJ

On Sun, May 17, 2026 at 7:06 AM Nick England <nick at navy-radio.com> wrote:
>
> I don’t take any photos of newer equipment or the attendees. And only on Thursday setup and first open day Friday. We left for home early Saturday. Threat of rain and a 9- hour trip for me and 11 for Brian.
> I think only a minority of attendees make it to the flea market. Most never get beyond all the shiny new toys and forums in the buildings and the nearby flea market spaces. They may not get to the majority of the flea market which is located in the race track far away from parking.
> That said, in recent years the flea area near the buildings has been expanded by 2-3 long rows and the Race track spaces have been pretty much sold out. So definitely more flea activity.
> Our van full of stuff was completely sold out by Friday noon. YMMV.
>
> Nick England K4NYW
> Chapel Hill NC
> www.navy-radio.com
>