[Hallicrafters] SHELBY 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY "THE GRAND DADDY OF THEM ALL"

[W4AWM at aol.com]

Y'all missed a good one!

The sponsors said that the main flea market occupancy was up 10 to 15% over 
last year and the weather was iffy up to the last minute due to the hurricane.  
Last year, attendance was off due to another hurricane.  The actual WX was 
not that bad, but what scared folks off then was the rumnors of gas shortages in 
the area due to the storm.

This year, the mornings started off overcast but it soon warmed up and became 
sunny and hot. There was some shower activity in the evening, but it was not 
enough to cause any problems. Most everyone had a shelter up anyway so it was 
not necessary to scramble to cover gear and there was not that much rain in 
the first place.

There were a goodley number of boatanchors, especially Hallicrafters, 
National, Heath, a few Swans, some ollins S-Lines but only 2 St. James Gray items 
that I saw. There were several Howards, inluding a rare twin dial receiver, 
several beams, including a Force 12, a number of towers and related items, cable, a 
smattering of Command receivers and other surplus, lots of test equipment, 
commercial 2 way gear, etc.  There were a good number of dealers selling 
everything from MFJ to computers and more.  Food was no problem and reasonably priced 
(This is the South, Son!). The hamfest entrey fee was extremely reasonable as 
were the flea market spaces. (Northern hamfest sponsors need to learn from 
this, especially the flea market fees)! 

I was at the first Shelby hamfest 50 years ago, a spanking new ham.  Back 
then, you got a tiket for $4.00 which inluded all the flea market space you 
needed and a great chiken dinner!

The Shelby gang ran a great hamfest then, and little has changed now.  Yes, 
the prices have gone up a bit and the chicken flew away, but it is still a well 
run and reasonable great time.  Think about going next year.

Next week:  Gaithersburg, AKA FARFest.

73,

John,  W4AWM