[MRCA] Timonium, a one time great hamfest

[D. Platt]

Well, I was there.....  As background, I've been a reliable attendee for 
arguably 30+ years, being a local resident.  I can recall the time when, 
if you didn't buy a space in advance, you's not get in to sell.  It was 
that popular an event.  I've seen it deflate from 3 buildings and a huge 
outdoor tailgate fest down to the current one building.  I think doing 
away with the outdoor tailgate area was arguable the worst decision 
made.  That said..... that said, I still, attend and find it an 
acceptable venue, even now.  I got one of those $30 tables at the south 
end and did "OK", all said and done.  One rather amazing observation was 
one of the test-equipment vendors across from us said he'\ done the 
best  in over 10 years. My gross weight returning home was much less 
that going, albeit I did spring for a good condition S-40B!  Wow!!  Bill 
Perry was there with my pre-ordered consignment.  I also gathered a bad 
of other goodies from him.  Always a pleasure to see him, to be sure.  I 
saw the R-390's the GRC-106, etc. but was not driven to purchase. There 
were some commercial ham gear at OK prices but not a lot. Military gear 
was scarce, as noted by others.  Not the same as when Baranofsky and 
others always came.  And... How about ol' Surplus AL?  We do miss him......

I await the series of fests at Howard Co. and those across the river.  
Maybe Hagerstown?  I've gotten some good items there, as small as that 
one is.  Deals and treasures are where you find 'em.

Jeep K3HVG

PS:  I didn't see the Demokratik State of MD tax weenies this year? Nor 
did I get the standard threatening letter in my hamfest package?  What's 
up?   Last year I sent in a copy of the exception notice excerpted from 
the MD Tax Code along with my tax statement (with declination of 
payment) and never heard a word back from them.