[GreenKeys] Hamvention 2017

[Ethan Blanton]

Paul Heller wrote:
> I was just read the writing in the ARRL email. Who went? Was it as bad
> as it sounds in that newsletter? 

I went.  I thought it was great.  I think it'll be a lot better next
year.

I'm under the impression that the DARA crew went to Xenia and said
"we're going to have 25,000 hams here on Friday morning", and Xenia
said "OK, whatever, right, we've had a fair before".  Then 25,000 hams
showed up on Friday morning, and Xenia decided they'd have to change
their plans a bit.  On Saturday things were easier.

That said, we went directly to the out lots, which is what DARA
recommended, and used the free buses to get in and out.  It was easy
and fast.  I would do it again next year.  The organization for the
"people movers" (a.k.a. hay wagons) from the out lots bus stop to the
fairgrounds entrance was a bit lacking, but it was better on Saturday
than it had been on Friday.  They were clearly learning fast.

We jetted Saturday afternoon before the real deluge, so while I saw
wet, I didn't see the slop that I hear happened later.

As someone else mentioned, there was 100% less contact with fecal
matter than the expected Hara experience -- which is a major benefit.
I can think of at least four raw sewage events at Hara over the years.

The flea market was quite a bit smaller, but the booths were almost
all high quality.  I'd like to see them use the track as well as the
inner circle in the future.

I met several Greenkeyers and other hams I know, and had a great time
-- and that's what's important!  I shook hands with Nick England (who
also posted that he met some Greenkeyers), a fellow spirit with whom
I've had correspondence but never met face to face, and picked up some
gear from Bill Strangfeld and chatted a bit with both.  Looking at
vintage equipment and chatting with vintage aficionados is why I go,
so I left happy.  I'll be back in 2018, life and schedule permitting!

Ethan