[Boatanchors] Dayton hamfest photos 2026

[Nick England]

I blame the layout too. Parking and main flea market are at opposite ends
of the fairgrounds. Probably 1/2 mile? And big hamfest signs on the
buildings but nothing directing people through the gates and across the
race track to the infield. I bet 75 percent of new attendees don’t know it
exists unless maybe it is in the program….and when was the last time you
saw a ham read the directions????

That said I think there were more young folks wandering the flea market
this year which is a positive sign.


Nick England K4NYW
Chapel Hill NC
www.navy-radio.com

On Sun, May 17, 2026 at 11:44 AM Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
> >
>