I am sure Hamfests mean different things to different people:
Short Version - I like Hamfests because I am in my element.
The long version - In everyday life the Ham Radio hobby is not in the main stream. I noticed two different reactions to Ham Radio from the general public. (Please keep in mind this is not a scientific study, but my observations.) When people find out I am a Ham, I hear statements like: Oh is that still around. I thought the internet did away with Ham Radio. Or, my Uncle Sydney was a ham back when I was in High School, but I did not know Ham Radio was still around. On the other side when people find out I know and use Morse Code, they are really impressed. When attending a Hamfest, I do not have to explain myself to anyone, they know.
Hamvention: After over 48 years as a ham we finally made it to Dayton Hamvention in 2007. We enjoyed it so much that we returned in 2008. It's funny I never called it Hamvention, but just Dayton. Then I traveled to the city for business over an extended period of time where everyone calls it Hamvention. I guess it would be silly to call it Dayton if you are already there.
To the right is a picture of Piero Begali, I2RTF,
tending
to his booth at the 2007 Dayton Hamvention. I own two of his finely
crafted keys (Simplex and Magnetic Classic). The Magnetic Classic was purchased at the 2008 Hamvention.
I always enjoy looking at the old radios like the ones in this display from the
2007 Dayton flea market area.. The one problem with calling these radios
old is that I remember when they were new.
We did not get to Dayton in 2009, buy we plan on returning
in the future and enjoy the good times to be had.
The recognizable site of Hamvention.
Shelby Hamfest:
For the first time we attended the Shelby Hamfest on Saturday 5 September 2009
in Dallas, North Carolina.
It
was a very nice day (actually it got a bit hot). Most of the event was
located outside in a rolling meadow - it was good exercise. The inside
space was jammed packed with vendors and Hams. My big purchase - three
RG-8X PL-259 inserts. However, I did eye the new Icom IC-7600 - nice
radio.
This was a good Hamfest worthy of a return visit.
Georgia Section Convention (Stone Mountain Hamfest and
Computer Expo): A return visit to the Hamfest on 7 November 2009 was
worth the journey (just a few miles from the home QTH). It was well
attended as can be seen in the photo below to the left. This is the first
time I attended an ARRL session meeting.
The two photos below to the right are of ARRL representatives speaking during
the meeting.
The ARRL Media & Public Relations Manager, W1AGP, Allen Pitts
The ARRL Southeast Direst W4OZK, Greg Sarratt
2010 HamCation in Orland, FL: My wife and I attended this event for the first time on Friday and Saturday, February 12 and 13, 2010. It was cold and rainy, but we survived. There was a nice comfortable crowd level on Friday, but boy was it packed on Saturday. There were two highlights. The first was meeting Steve wG0AT owner of the Goathiker channel on You Tube. The second was a series of professional quality satellite demonstrations conducted by the AMSAT representatives.
Here is a picture of Steve (wG0AT) and me. He is very personable and produces excellent videos on You Tube. (My wife is also a Goathiker video watcher.)
MFJ was in attendance with most of their products.
Ameritron amplifier anyone?
Stuff anyone? I used the Astatic D-104 microphone (the five microphones on the table with the round heads) for years during the high impendence days until I changed to a Shure 444. I still have both microphones.
Here is the antenna system used for the SSB demonstration accessing the Chinese Satellite . We also were in attendance for an FM Satellite demonstration done through the internet with the radio equipment located in Ohio and Michigan.