[Boatanchors] Dayton hamfest photos 2026

[David Colburn]

The big money is in the buildings but that's no excuse for a failure to

provide adequate signage for the flea/boneyard area. (Hopefully, feedback

will result in fixing that oversight in 2027.)

I am glad to see more people posting on various buy-sell Ham lists (and

other Ham groups) what they intend to bring, and what they'll be looking 
for.

If someone could facilitate that for every hamfest and tailgate - I think

turnout would improve.

It's frustrating to hear "I was hoping to find" only to then hear "I 
thought

of bringing ... but didn't think anyone would be interested".

I've skipped fests/tailgates because getting up and making the drive just

didn't seem worthwhile with no idea what might be there that's of interest.

(Especially when the weather is questionable and the start time is 
silly-early.)

I'm guessing that's true of many other Hams.

We're a communications hobby that often communicates - poorly.

David, kd4e

On 5/17/26 12:09, Nick England via Boatanchors wrote:
> 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
>>>
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