It has been over a decade since I have been to a HamFest of any size, the last being in Elmira. That was a good day which began with rummaging, moved onward to proctoring a VE testing session for the ARAST Club, and then onto more rummaging. N2FMS Harold upgraded to Amateur Extra Class that day! Several Heathkit SB line rigs, a Dentron MT-3000, and a filthy but unsullied Viking Ranger found their way into my car—as well as a 5 gallon pail of parts, odds and ends. I was looking forward to the promise of going to this years event–making friends, meeting friends, and passing on pictures of my old friends Hamilton & Jackson to complete strangers.
Oh, and maybe get a photo or two along the way!
I have made myself a promise of no more boatanchors and resulting shelf queens. The idea is to keep focus on what already needs done, and getting to some new projects. I did well, as there were these two Hallicrafters general coverage receivers that could have come home with me for $35. I feel I passed this critical test with flying colors–including driving past the guy packing up that shouted he would sell me that wonderful old 1960s H.H. Scott FM stereo tuner for $5. Drive on, drive on quickly…
There is no better way to describe this last Saturday, except that it was a delicious day. I began the morning with coffee and a list. The plan was to arrive around 9AM. Right…
It became 10AM at my arrival, and that was OK. This was about fun, not necessity, and with that I took my time. Before I was even able to start table cruising, I ran into AA2RG Randy, and we had a chat. Soon afterward it was NB2L Gary, KC2ORM Bob, KD2EH Dave, and W5OQ Eric. Here are a couple mug shots of this crew.
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| KC2ORM Bob, KD2EH Dave, NB2L Gary | W5OQ Eric |
There were others from KLARA there as well, but I was hard pressed to make the full rounds. It seems that my mouth slows my feet down—and I have never found a solution for that. There were some things I wanted to pick up in addition to what I had—but many of sellers started packing up around 11:30AM. But I believe I did well! Below is a collection of plunder I gathered together—and this will finish several projects, start some new, and round a lot out that is dipping in my parts bins. The total budget for the day is revealed at the bottom of the page, below the gallery!
My total budget was set at $150, a collection plate that had been several months in the gathering. Expenses, including $10 parking came to $135.
It was indeed a delicious day, and look at what other sort of shelf queen followed me home…
