[Collins] Dayton Hamvention Report

[David Knepper]

Having attended the Dayton Hamvention for the past 10 years,  my
observations are as follows:

1.  Fewer people than before in the fleamarket area.  My wife reported that
the crowd was large inside the Arena. She took a few minutes to go inside
the Arena and walk around.  Perhaps, there is a new ham in our family!!
There were many open spots in the fleamarket.  I suspect that many sellers
are doing the Ebay thing!  Who can blame them for not wanting to "low ball"
a piece of nice Collins, etc. when they can get a better price on Ebay or at
QTH.COM, etc.

2.  Weather was not that bad this year - at least it did not rain.  Coudy
and cool on Friday and bright sunny skies on Saturday,  which resulted in my
having a noticeably red face!

3.  Did not traverse the flea market area but from what I was told there
were some bargains.  Someone picked up a 312A-1 speaker very reasonably - I
thought that someone said $100.  From what others told me that dropped to
say hello, the pickings were slim, at least as bargains were concerned.
Perhaps, you can tell me of a 75A-4 that went for $200.

4.  Not as much Collins as before.  However, some lady came with a van full
of Collins from our late husband's collection.  Her prices, as I was told,
were on the high side.

5.  Of course, the major manufacturers like ICOM and Yaesu were showing off
new radios, like the 756 Pro III, and the 7000 from ICOM.  No new Collins
models were introduced!!

6.  The Collins Forum program went well with a large turnout of new Collins
enthusiasts in the crowd - many who were just getting their feet wet, so to
speak.  Lots of new faces in the crowd.  We were pleasantly surprised to
hear that many of them are now turning off their solid-state radios and are
now turning on to Collins.  It's great to see our ranks growing.  To those
who attended the Forum, thank you for attending.

7.  Barry, W3AFH, the moderator of the Collins mail list, dropped by to
spend some time with us.

8.  Glad to be home late Saturday night after dodging trucks on Interstate
70 East on my home to Johnstown, PA.  It is so great to sleep in my own bed!

Finally, if you have a Dayton report, we would like to hear from you.  This
year I stayed pretty much at my flea market spots 2317-2318.

Thank you.


David, W3ST
Publisher of the Collins Journal
Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
To Join the CRA go to www.collinsra.com
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