[Milsurplus] Timonium Hamfest

[Dennis Gibbs]

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the report.  I could not go yesterday (Saturday) to Timonium, so
I went today.  Here's my (short) report....

First, I haven't been to this hamfest in 2-3 years.  However, I consider it
now the largest hamfest in the MD-DC-VA area, now that Gaithersburg is a
fraction of what it once was.

Given what's been happening with all the other hamfests in the area
(shrinking), I was expecting it to be smaller than years past, but I was a
bit shocked at how much it shrank.

The large outdoor tailgating area was only about 1/5 full.  At its peak, it
used to be overflowing.  The indoor area (Cow Palace) was about 1/3 full.
The 4H Center was nearly empty, and no radio related wares inside (Mostly
crafts).  The exhibition center was about 3/4 full.

I spoke to a seller in the Cow Palace and commented on how dead things were.
He told me there was a computer error on many of the advance ticket sales
for tailgating spaces.  Apparently, the number of spaces that were requested
was erroneously doubled.  So, space sold out when in fact it was only 1/2
full.  If this story is true, it would certainly explain the drastically
smaller attendance.

I did not see any boatanchors receivers today - no Collins receivers, etc.
I did see a few transmitters.  I found an excellent deal on pristine NOS
tubes - 6C4WAs, 6BL8s, and 6AJ5s for $2 each.

I think the decline in hamfesting is being brought about by many factors.
First and perhaps foremost, Ebay.  Secondly, young technically-minded kids
now flock mostly to computers, not ham radio.  Throw this in with the high
cost of gas, and it's no wonder attendance is down.

I used to have this dream of attending at least one hamfest in every state
(Is there an award for that?  HAS?  [Hamfested All States :-)]  but I'm
rapidly losing interest in doing this.  So far, I have been to hamfests in 7
states.....

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: milsurplus-bounces+r390a=cox.net at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milsurplus-bounces+r390a=cox.net at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ray
Fantini
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 9:31 AM
To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Milsurplus] Timonium Hamfest

The Timonium Hamfest, or as it is officially known as "The Greater
Baltimore Hamboree & Computerfest" was this weekend. I decided to go
yesterday (Saturday) and not attend Sunday, in the past Saturday is
always the big day. Attendance was down this year from last, or that's
how it looked to me although I cannot think of any hamfest that works
harder on promoting itself. The weather was cold but for once their was
no rain. The usual cast of characters or avid military collectors was
their although as far as I am aware their was no organized mill nets
this year. In the past Mr. Smith (K4CHE) or me conducted 51.0 and 3885
nets but this year nothing got together. This year I saw the fowling
items. Two ART -13 transmitters, one in fair condition with hole cut in
top cover bought by K4CHE for $25, one ART-13 with power plug, remote
control and copy of manual in good condition for $125.00, I saw this put
out on table for $150.00 and by the time I got their it went for the
$125.00 a channelised ARC-5, the one with the box in front for $75.00
don't think it sold, ARC-5 transmitter for $125.00, receiver with rack
and dynamotor $150.00 , MD-7 $75.00 and BC-348Q for $300.00 all in
excellent condition, R-390 front panels for $40.00, saw at least two
R-390 for sale but did not ask along with R-392 ( when you don't see
prices on them you know they are high) PRC-10 for $100.00 along with
some PRC-25/77 radios and parts but did not ask price. Talk of the
hamfest was a HT-4 that looked new, saw it in the morning but was gone
by the afternoon ( big money!) and their was a RF deck from a BC-610 
for $25 that did not sell, amazing  how well the MFP holds up after 60
years. Lots of mill test equipment, maybe that's where the bargains are
today. Saw couple OS-8 scopes for $10 and $20, many signal generators
and other bits and peaces. About the only thing I am looking for these
day is a TV-7 tube tester and their was one their but they wanted
$475.00 for it! Will just wait for Dayton, last year you had your choice
of them in the $200.00 to $300.00 range. At least these were the items I
saw, as always their were the deals I did not see and wont comment on
them.
Ray Fantini KA3EKH

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