[Milsurplus] Golden years of collecting?

[mstangelo at comcast.net]

Ray,

The Trenton computers fest is still there. I've been going for the last couple of years because my daughter is a student and I use it as an excuse to deliver her some goods. 

The old timers say it not what is used to be.  There is plenty of computer accessories such as USB to EIA adapters, cables, etc. but not much in the way of vintage computers. They have lots of used laptops but the price is not that low. Why take a change with questionable hardware when you can buy a new unit for an additional 100 dollars.

Regarding the golden years milsurplus collecting. I believe the surplus radios were our version of "Rosebud". We baby boomers yearned it as kids and teens so we starting collecting it adults when we had the disposable cash. I don't know if the newer generations have the interest we have nor the real estate to store the stuff.
 
I've seen some of my peers giving the stuff away because they're getting on in years and have to downsize. They don't  want to deal with Ebay and the hassles of shipping. I'd rather see it go to the Hamfest instead of the dumpster.

Mike N2MS

ginal Message -----
From: Ray Fantini 
To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:37:27 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Milsurplus] Golden years of collecting?

The prices are always better and there is never any shipping cost at a Hamfest. I have been going to fests for around thirty to thirty five years now and have seen many changes and every year hear the same lament; it was bigger last year and will be gone soon. Back in the eighties and early nineties everyone was convinced that it was all going to be computers and hamfest as we know them are finished, but as long as fest like Timonium and Dayton are there I will be too. EBay has provided me many items I would never have found on my own. The last couple months I have been buying antique computer hardware and can think of no other source, wonder what ever happened to the Trenton Computer Fest? <snip>