[HCRA] HossTraders is now NEARFest

[n1kxr at comcast.net]

Greetings all,

THE KING IS DEAD!...LONG LIVE THE KING!!!

Sad but true, HossTraders is now Amateur history and what happened there, or is alleged to have happened there is now mere legend and memory.

But like the mythical Phoenix, that great Ham tradition held at the Deerfield Fairgrounds located on Highway 43 in the Town of Deerfield, New Hampshire USA rises from the ashes. NEAR-Fest will take over the helm for HossTraders. Please read the below article, the visit their website for more information regarding NEAR-Fest.

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73...QRT and off the key! 

Richard H. Wheeler - N1KXR 
Amateur Radio Operator 
Western Massachusetts (USA)


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 The NEW ENGLAND AMATEUR RADIO FESTIVAL (NEAR-Fest) will hold its' Spring 2007 get-together and flea market on Friday May 4th and Saturday May 5th at the Deerfield Fairgrounds located on Highway 43 in the Town of Deerfield, New Hampshire USA. 

The Festival is not to be confused with the "Hosstraders" Flea Market that was formerly held at the New Hampshire State Fairgrounds at Hopkinton NH (and several other NH locations)  the first weekend in May and October.  Thirty-three years ago Joe, Norm and Bob  the three  "Hosstraders",  started what has become a highly popular and much beloved New England amateur radio institution.  The NEAR-Fest was instituted to retain this wonderful tradition.

Convening in May and October, the NEAR-Fest celebrates the wonderful art and science of Amateur Radio.   Licensed or not, ALL are welcome to participate in the fine art of buying and selling equipment, scrounging, wheeling and dealing while enjoying the fellowship and company of like-minded individuals of all ages.  Vintage Amateur AM and military radio stations will be on-the-air from the grounds as a tribute to the "Golden Age" of amateur radio.   The legendary flea market will offer all forms of radio and electronic treasures both current and vintage, common and the ultra rare.   You never know what great deals and wonderful goodies you will find at Deerfield! 

In addition to the flea market a number of commercial vendors will be present to tempt you with the latest and greatest radio equipment and accessories available today.  In addition there will be VE exams to get your license or upgrade.  There will be door prizes too and some of these are not minor!  There's something for everyone at the NEAR-Fest!!!

Admission is $10.00 from Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM;  $5.00 thereafter.  Vehicular admission to the grounds is $10.00.   There are no additional seller fees and no limit on selling spaces.  Students (under 21) admitted free as our guests after 9 on Saturday.  There is ample free parking immediately outside the fairgrounds.  Overnight campers and tents are welcome.  RV hookups are available for $30.00.

Most Hamfests provide for earlier entry for sellers than buyers.  This gives them an unfair advantage in getting the "Good Deals" before the buyers are admitted.  We offer buyers and sellers alike the opportunity to enter at the same time provided they purchase their tickets in advance by mail or online before May 1st.  There will be a special entrance for the Prepaid ticket holders and it will be opened first.  Once the Pre-paid line has entered the General Admission gate will be opened and those who have purchased their tickets at the gate will be admitted.   We have adopted this policy because prepaying will help finance this enormous undertaking without charging additional fees, while offering everyone the same opportunity for early admission."

Fairground rules state: No alcohol or open fires are permitted.  A “Zero Tolerance” policy will be strictly enforced!!!  CRT computer monitors are strongly discouraged and those who bring them will be assessed a $20.00 deposit to ensure their removal.   Leave ‘em home! 

The Fall NEAR-Fest is scheduled for Friday October 12th and Saturday October 13th 2007.

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Here is a link to the site: http://www.near-fest.com/