[Milsurplus] [ARC5] ARRL National/HamCom Display Report

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of David Stinson
> The mil-radio display  went very well, and 
> I wouldn't have gotten it done at all 
> without the help and guidance of Mike and others.

This is exceptionally good and encouraging news.  

> I only had a couple of guys who
> were ready to educate *me* on how SCR-274N was
> used on Morse Code by bomber radio operators 

Uh-huh.  The SCR-187/-287 or AN/ARC-8 were just aboard for ballast.  :-D

> or how WS-19 was installed in Bell Aircobra fighters. 

Okay, I think I can see how this came about.  Over half the P-39 production
went to Russia.  Most of the WS-19 sets that came up surplus here were
marked in Russian where the surplus SCR-274-N et al weren't.  (Has anyone
ever seen a piece of SCR-274-N equipment with Russian markings?)  Russian
airplanes "obviously" used radios marked in Russian.  :-)

> The goal was to inspire more interest in our niche', 
> to make contact with folks who had stuff 
> stashed in old barns before it went to the dump
> (found quite a few of them), 

ARA/ATA or GF/RU maybe?  *hopity-hope*

> to get out the word
> about some of the specific items we are seeking, 

Like the ARA/ATA and GF/RU. :-D

> to dispel myths about the sets and, of course,
> to show-off a little I guess ;-).

Dave, the amount of work you have in them rates showing off a lot.

> First- many hams never check-out the flea areas;
> vendor display area would be better, except that
> it's about 10 times the expense...ouch.

And when I did hamfests, I was the opposite 'cuz the good stuff was outside.
:-)

> Twice as many people will pick-up the handout with
> pictures- no matter how crude- than will pick-up
> the "information" handout. Guess they don't like reading.

Ah, the things one learns after 14 years in psychotherapy.  One of my
psycho-nannies told me that the mind can handle images significantly more
easily that words*.  Part of the reason is that there are significantly
fewer ambiguities (and redundancies, for that matter) in images than in
spoken or written language.  Tell them you want an ARA receiver, for
example, and they'll say "Wazzat?"  Show them a picture and they're more apt
to say "Hmmm ... that looks familiar.  I might have one stashed somewhere."


* This was after I had done rather poorly in a test that included both
images and words.  Apparently some of the damage done to my thinkertoy
affected my ability to process words and images about the same.  Wonderful.


> And I printed too many- 250 each. 150 each would 
> have been a big plenty as most people- even those
> who stop and ask good questions and seem very 
> interested in the info, don't pick up the free hand-outs.

Hang onto them for next time.  You know there'll be a next time, right?  :-)

> Third:  Most of them won't read signs beyond the first
> couple of sentences. About 25% will actually read
> the whole two-paragraph sign over a set.

This is about right.

> Fourth: Check the convention center's policy on AC power
> *before* you spend weeks working to make the sets
> ready for a "live demo." The convention authority
> (not the HamCom guys- the local pols) wanted 
> *$50* just to plug a cord in the wall socket.
> So all that work was in vain and the sets had
> to display dark.... oh well.

Humongous battery pack - the kind that you have to assemble on site because
it'd take a forklift to manage as one piece - on wheels so you can take it
out and recharge it now and then.  Even then, only bring up one or two sets.

> Fifth: If you have two beautiful daughters 
> behind your display, you get much more attention ;-)

Okay, now here I need photographic proof.  :-D

Best regards,
 
Michael, WH7HG ex-K3MXO, ex-KN3MXO, WPE3ARS, BL01xh ex-Mensa A&P PP BGI 
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