[Milsurplus] Tomonium Hamfest.

[B. Smith]

    I enjoyed the fest, I didn't see an "announcement" for any milrad nets 
so I assumed there  was not interest. The prediction of rain turned out to 
be wrong but Timonium is one of the few hamfests that has enclosed tailing 
gating where you can drive your truck into the building  and set up and if 
it rains you can also visit the other   4
 buildings with indoor vendors. Highlights included meeting up with W.M 
Perry of connector fame and purchasing reasonably priced connectors (I 
brought a list)  and picking up a ART-13 for a few bucks, thanks Mark). The 
ART-13 had a six inch square hole cut out of the  front right corner of the 
of the top cover,another famous modification I assume but I have never seen 
this done to a top cover.
                   ------Anyone got a top cover? Also need a modulation 
transformer.
    I  Enjoyed chatting with personnel from the Baltimore "Historical 
Electronic Museum evidently they are making a lot of changes, the museum is 
located near BWI airport.     I Picked up lots of small parts for different 
projects including  the antenna insulators that mount on the wall for my 
"Flak Bait" display. Where else but a hamfest can you pick up milspec 
transformers for  a buck or
BC-221's for $5.00,Transmitting variables for two bits. Keys for ten bucks 
etc, a box of "sorted" mica caps ranging 1 pf to 1000 for ten bucks.
    Strangest item I picked up was what looks like a panel mounted remote 
control  for  a RCA AVR-7HLN aircraft receiver  that appears to have used a 
ARB receiver tuning head for the main control of frequency and it has an RCA 
placard on the back of the ARB head. It had  a 20 inch cable attached with a 
female octal plug connector.
Now all I have to do if find the rest of the receiver.
    Timing is everything here on the East Coast for military items, if you
arrive after 0630 it is just about over !
    Missing from the ham fest was "Surplus AL" (Al Yascavage) but he still 
sells items on Ebay and has his own web page. We miss you Al.   Also missing 
was Norm Chips , N3RZU  who went to Arizona to mine silver.We envy you Norm.
    Bad News: According to several sources  which will remain 
anonymous ----this was the last year for the BARC to hold the spring hamfest 
at the Timonium  site, the  "bill" for rental of the site was in the mid 
five figure range!

73 Breck k4che
Dover, Delaware. Ann't nutten in Dover except a NASCAR track, chickens, and 
hams that can't solder.