[QCWA] QCWA at the Tampa hamfest

[Ken Simpson, W8EK]

QCWA did have a presence at the Tampa FL Hamfest on Saturday.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jim Schilling, KG4JSZ,
the Chairman of this year's Tampa Hamfest.  Before the hamfest, Jim told
us that he would make certain we had a place to "fly our banner".  I
expected that we would have a table in the flea market area, and would
have been very happy with that, but Jim went above and beyond, and
actually gave us one of the draped exhibition booths with two 8 foot
tables, table covers, etc.  We were in a row with ARRL, AMSAT, and MARS.
Thank you very much, Jim.

I would also like to thank Walt, N3WS, for the hours that he helped,
along with Alan, KJ9N, and Jeff, WA4AW.  Last, but certainly not the
least, thanks to my wife Sue, N8AJU, who stayed at the QCWA table almost
the entire hamfest.

We did sign up new members, but just as importantly made many present
national QCWA members aware of the chapters that are in Florida.  This
was especially important, as we had many "snow birds" stop by that were
not aware of all of the Florida chapters, and not aware that they could
be a member of more than one chapter.  As a result, we may have quite a
few members that have a chapter affiliation "up north" and also one in
Florida.

All in all, I considered it very worthwhile, and hope we can do it again
next year.

We will see if we can be just as productive at the Ocala Hamfest this
next weekend.

Thanks.

73,

Ken, W8EK

Ken Simpson
E-mail to W8EK at speakeasy.net or W8EK at arrl.net
Voice Phone  (352) 732-8400