[NJARC] Re: [CC-AWA] Some observations on Rochester 2003

[Ray Chase]

I certainly could not agree with Paul Farmers remarks on the AWA 
contest.  I have not been to Lansing but I've been to Radioactivity and 
North Carolina and the AWA contest entries were outstanding in my book.  
I must not have been looking at the same entries.
The flea market was thin although I did just fine.
The auction entries were at a low point in quantity but a few really 
good items brought the total up above last years, (5 items made $11,000 
of the $45,000 total.  I agree, some items such as the AK BB could not 
bring a decent bid.
Of all complaints, the most common voiced was food, it was terrible, 
this is turning out to be the worst possible venue for a world class 
meet, I guess if you have a large educational institution supporting 
you, you do not have to please the lowly individual.  RIT claims to have 
a food/service, hotel management program, I hope I do not end up in 
seeking lodging in a hotel where their graduates are employed.
Agree that the flea market operation must change or die but will it?  I 
doubt it.
Ray


John Dilks - K2TQN wrote:

> 
> Ditto Robert's remarks. Buyers in the flea market were aggressive for the
> first 2 hours on Wednesday, but their ranks were rather thin. The 
> programs
> were the strong point of the Meet.
> 
> The contest was so-so...some excellent
> entries, but not up to what I saw at Extravaganza/Lansing and
> RadioActivity/Md this year. Quantity and variety were lacking. FM 
> radio did
> make a good theme.
> 
> Super talks by Lud and Bart Lee. I missed Robert's talk,
> unfortunately.
> 
> The auction was improved over last year, due in part to
> increasing the allowed number of consignments from 3 to 5 for each
> registrant. The Communications equipment part of the auction was
> particularly interesting, with some ham gear in extraordinary 
> condition. A
> tiny Amplion Dragonfly speaker went for $1600 and a black celluloid Burns
> for about $900 I think. But an OK AK-10C (refinished board and re-painted
> metal) couldn't get a bid of $550.
> 
> The restoration talks were informative, but moderator Marc Ellis' rule 
> of no
> questions until all of the speakers are done really restricts the
> possibility of any useful back-and-forth with the audience...a real
> turn-off.
> 
> AWA has a serious challenge before it regarding the viability of the main
> event that brings everyone to Rochester -- the flea market.
> 
> Regards to all,
> Paul Farmer
> 
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