[NJARC] Day-2, auction of the future --- Live + Internet Auction

[John Dilks K2TQN]

Hi Gang,

Tomorrow is the second half of the auction (below.)  Watching this, 
you'll realize the Dave Sica (and the www.NJARC.org) is way ahead of 
the times that are a-comin'.

You Guys have to see this.....  This is the auction of the future --- 
Live + Internet Auction.
2-day auction, This weekend, Saturday and Sunday.  Radios + other 
interesting items.  (Iowa)

Auction House
http://www.richpennauctions.com/

Auction Catalog
http://www.richpennauctions.com/Pages/Page_01.htm

Watch Auction Live
http://www.richpennauctions.com/Watch_Live_0309.htm

I enjoyed watching the first half today (off and on) by having the 
video running in one window, while having the auction catalog up in 
another.  The auction followed the catalog numbers.  Anytime I wanted 
to see an item up close, a single click on the item photo brought up 
a larger version.  Tomorrow they start with #601 at about 10:15 
am.  The catalog text is there too, if you need to read about an 
item.  All in all, this is one well run auction.  He sold 600 items 
in 11 hours.

The only negative I noticed was his sound level was a little too 
high, if it were backed off a little it would be more clear and 
pleasant to listen to.  People speaking nearby came through 
clear.  Someone there should monitor the Internet broadcast and 
adjust the audio until the level is correct.  (or move the microphone 
farther away from his mouth.)

The video runs a few seconds later than actual live.  Once they fix 
this, or figure a way to handle the delay with bidding, a two-way 
Internet auction will be possible.  For now he takes reserve bids 
ahead of time, and I heard him mention a phone bidder once or 
twice.  In the future it would be nice if there was a small window on 
the video to put up the item number while bidding on that item.)

Based on the prices they were getting, I think the Stimulus money was 
there and working!  Prices were high.  Tomorrow is the second day, 
we'll see if they hold up.

73, John Dilks, K2TQN
        Editor Old Vintage Radio Column, QST Magazine