[SFDXA] Welcome Back Miami Hamboree!

[Bill]

Another Miami Hamboree has come and gone...that has a nice ring to it, 
doesn't it?

It may not have been as big in the past but it is off to a great start. 
Miguel KJ4YVN and the Miami Dade club did a terrific jobin putting it 
back togetherto try to make it successful again. And in my opinion it 
was. Not all the bells and whistles of the past but there is room to 
grow and get better. Attendance my guess was 2500 to 3000. Not all at 
once but all spread out over the two days.

All the vendors I spoke to said they had a good show. They reaped the 
benefits of a South Florida large group of Hams Starved for a major 
Hamfest. Let's hope they did well enough to hold it again. They were 
hopeful, and said it looked good.

I bought things I never thought I'd see for prices Ididn't think I'd 
find. Norm, myself and several other members bought a $65 duo bandHT 
from Ham World. J.T. N4ZDY imports this amazing small 144/440 handheld 
by Bao Feng. www.hamworldinc.com

There will be changes to fix some glitches, but Bravo! to Miami Dade 
Club for seeing it through. They were very supportive of our Club and 
went out of their way to provide us for panels to hang cards and banners 
from.

As for the South Florida DX Association we are very proud of our success 
at the show. The booth/tables had a steady flow of DXers and interested 
hams. Saturday it was full most of the day with club members and old 
friends. Many signed up showing interest in SFDXA and our activities. We 
collected dues and filled forms.

The DX Forum was a big success with 30 plus in attendance. George 
Wallner AA7JV gave one of the better DX Presentations on a DX-pedition I 
have seen. He kept us surprised and interested for almost an hour on his 
trip to PT0S St Peter & Paul Rocks. Thanks George!
We gave out more than a Dozen Door Prizesat the end of the presentation. 
Generous Donors were Mike's Electronics Ft Lauderdale, Bernie W3UR Daily 
DX and Editor of the DX Column at QST. And also the SFDXA members.

The Dinner was heldwith 17 hams, XYL's and Harmonics enjoying what 
turned out to be a Fabulous Cuban Restaurant. I still can't believe how 
good it was. Thanks Gil W1RG and Heather for finding it. The winter cold 
season took its toll, and a bunch had to opt out at the last minute. But 
it was a very good showing and had fun.

All in All the SFDXA had a highly successful Hamboree. We will be happy 
to do it again next year.

Special ThankYou's to the following for making our participationa success.

Norm W4QN - for working hours on a PowerPoint video presentation of the 
SFDXA Members and Activities on the Tables. The Presentation rivaled the 
one done professionally 30 years ago. Great job Norm and we will have 
this on the SFDXA Web Site soon. Thanks Norm.

Pete N8PR - for transporting and setting up the Audio Visual system and 
projector for the Presentation. And thanks to Pete for loaning the 
system to the entire Hamboree for its use for all the Forums. Without 
his work none of the Forums would havegone well.

And Thanks to Pete N8PR and Carlos N4IS for making the DX Presentation 
on PT0S happen and thanks to Pete for facilitating it.

Pete for coming early from Thursday through Saturday and along with Don 
W3AZD for setting up the Tables, Cards and Banner. Thank you Pete & Don.

Don N4TZH - for putting Norm's presentation on the Laptop and also 
bringing it, and a monitor for showing the video at the table. Don also 
spent both days helping out at the table. Thanks Don.

Mark K2AU - for assembling the Sign In Forms, Dinner Directions, SFDXA 
Club Biography and information, Membership Applications. And then having 
them all printed and on the table with Clip Boards. Thanks Mark.

Gil W1RG - for finding and setting up the Restaurant, making the Dinner 
successful.

Thanks to Kai KE4PT, Norm W4QN, Don N4TZH, Mark K2AU, Lou W9IL. Bill 
NZ5N, Ed N4II, and others for signing up to spend time at the table and 
then spend hours helping out. Especially Ed N4II, for duty above and beyond.

For those Call Signs I missed. I apologize and thank you!

And we close another Miami Hamboree until next year! (fingers crossed).

Bill Marx W2CQ