Still, if there were no venders and the same amount of people showed up for HossTraders, I wud probably make it just to hang out.
You just reminded me of something, Tom:
This has come up in the past, and it came up again Sunday when I was talking with 'PJP via LL. He mentioned how, 'back in the day' things were much more like a convention of sorts, less like a flea market. I remembered coming across some old flyers in a box of my junk for the Burlington Amateur Radio Club conference back in the 50s. These were big events, 1-2 days, and involved a host of events. Forums, presentations, dinner, dancing, other ceremonies....the flea market aspect was only one piece of the larger picture. They didn't have a lot of them, either.
Joe says he thinks things will revert back more to this format and I tend to agree. Mainly because those of us who are truly interested will go, even if only to hang out and stuff our faces. The radio social event of the year, and bring along anything you want to get rid of. The milsurplus gang, and the AM crowd especially are a very social bunch, helping out each other with advice, parts, antenna parties, even rigs when needed. Free or very reasonable, money isn't the focus.
I don't think they will replace a Hopkinton or Dayton, but if you look at what we do at the big 'fests, it seems to track pretty well. I know there used to be a group that gathered in NH during the winter for coffee, lunch/dinner, maybe some parts swapping and the occasional talk by someone. Not sure what happened to them?
As far as selling goes for me, it's a means to an end. To get rid of stuff or finance more (or pay my ridiculous property taxes GRRRR). I certainly don't do it to make money, more to raise what is needed for a specific reason. Trading and even giving stuff away is easier and preferrable to me.
BTW, I am looking for a few used 833A's for my new 4X1 X 833's rig. I have just two and they have holes in the plates from a past audio JJ-mishap. One idles at 20ma and the other at 200ma. Anybody, somebody help me! (Little Richard) Bring them if you have them cheap to sell.
Ha! I love that commercial with Little Richard in it. "Help me! Somebody HELP me!" "Mashed Potatoes....Gravy....CRANberry sauce!!"
I might be able to help you out with the big bottles. After I return next week, I'm going to list my Raytheon RA-1000 BC transmitter for sale since I'm moving and won't have time in the foreseeable future to deal with it. It came with *20* 833s, so if it doesn't sell fast or the buyer wants to p&m about price, chances are good I can free some up. All used from what I can tell, mix of brands, willing to test them if someone has a rig we can throw them into. One of the guys said he wanted this rig but hasn't returned my call, so stay tuned....