[Fists] Re: Hamvention 2004

[Dan KB6NU]

Hi, guys--

I came down on a bus trip arranged by my club (ARROW, Ann Arbor, MI;
www.w8pgw.org) for the day Saturday. It was very disappointing that it
rained all day Saturday, although I was able to pick up a few things I
needed and got a good deal on some military surplus fiberglass mast
sections. Another purchase I made (from a guy on our bus, actually) was a
J-37 key mounted to a J-45 leg bracket. Very cool!

I was really disappointed that I could find only one seller in the flea who
had any bugs and paddles. And what he had was either very expensive antiques
or low-priced junk. Vibroplex had a booth inside, but it didn't look like
they were offering any show specials, so I thought to myself, why bother?

I worked the Fists booth for an hour, meeting Nancy, her mother, W0UFO, and
a couple of other guys. It was a lot of fun.

Despite being a ham for nearly 35 years, this was my first Dayton, and my
thought now is that one day is really not enough. I had to rush by most of
the inside exhibitors, and I would have liked to spend more time at some of
them. Maybe next year I'll try to make it down there Friday and stay through
Sunday.

73!

Dan KB6NU
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CW Geek (FISTS #9342)
President, ARROW Comm. Assn. (www.w8pgw.org)
Read my ham radio blog at www.blurty.com/~kb6nu .

----- Original Message -----
From: <ATanner283 at aol.com>
To: <fists at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 5:58 PM
Subject: [Fists] Hamvention 2004


> Well, another one is history. We had a great day on Friday, but it rained
ALL
> DAY on Saturday, and then Sunday was real nice again, but cloudy. It was
> great to meet old friends and shake paws with some new ones also who came
by the
> prize booth to say howdy. It seemed to me that attendance is slowly
dropping
> off, and we expect that I guess. I did not hear the last count, but
someone said
> there was actually a few MORE than last year. I did see more young folks
> wondering around and more ladies than in years past, however it seems that
each
> year brings more of both. I missed the FISTS get together on Wed cuz I
didn't
> get to read the email notice until 6:30 that evening. Oh well, next year.
Out in
> the flea market, the biz really dropped off on Saturday, but the guys with
> tents continued on. One feller selling tubes said he actually made more
bux on
> Saturday than on Friday. Got to twiddle the knobs on the new Icom radio,
> however at $10,000 or so, that's about as close as I will come. Also saw
the new
> Yaesu, but it was in a case. Went by to say howdy to Nancy and her Mom,
Irene,
> and pick up some of her unique "suckers". All in all a good time in spite
of
> the weather, and thanks to those who came by to say "73". They also
announced
> that the arena will be the sight of the 'vention for the next two years
any how.
> They are also pushing it out a week I believe. Hope all traveled safe and
> arrived home in great shape.......AL/W8FAX/2192                         eh
>