The AM Forum

There seems to be a lot of talk about this weekends hamfester and I hear many that have not been to this fester in years saying they will be there.

Sounds like a good turn out is coming about!

I'll be there  at our usual spot with K1VYU, W1UX, N1OA, K1DC and several other ner do wells
(http://home.comcast.net/~chnord/Horsetraders_truth.jpg)

nice cigars in that pic

Sheryl and I will be there if she can find something to wear.

Otherwise I'll be there.

(http://www.wa3vjb.com/pics/Sheryl.jpg)

Carl,
I always stop by and chew the fat but the girl is never around. Could it be sleeping in the truck chases her away...?

Hmmm, maybe she is off lookinng for parts for the next project. She is always homebrewng new rigs.  Or maybe off on a beer and cigar run. She hates it when we run out.

She is around because she thinks the guys at hamfests are   "Really hot"  . 

If you don't mind I'll see if she wants to stay in the truck with you or Gary. She hates spending her radio and beer money on hotels

my xyl doesn't let me keep pets. she thinks radio is enough
besides, Gary is only bringing limited pickled egg plant

Gary?? Is that INR Gary that is bringing the eggplant?

I'm bringing my girlfriend.

(http://designsbyty.hypermart.net/1kind4.jpg)

Shes a real doll............

Pickled eggplant???

I love eggplant, parmesan and pickled. A good Pickled eggplant sandwich on Italian bread  - - MMMMMMMM, Anyway I am not bringing eggplant.

I am bringing a mod transformer to sell and some other iron  but no eggplant. Sorry!

As far as pickled I think IFR is more of an expert on that. See you there Bill!! ;)

If anyone is interested in the Mod tranny it is 500 watts class Iron just email me.

G, If you were bringing pickled eggplant to hosstraders, and you didnt bring any down to the party, I was gonna bitch. I love that stuff!!

A pickled eggplant sammich on good fresh dago bread is to die for!
(even better with a few anchovies tossed on it!)

Gary is my first grade buddy.

Tom vu I don't see any handles she must not strap

OOOOPS wrong Gary, oh well, you'll have this.

I'll be there with sheep on!  :-*

Hmmm... pickled lamb chops?  ::)

Oh, nevermind...

--Thom
Keep Away One Zorched Ground Conductor

Handles?  EZ to handle and very low maintainence too. But you can tell she's a little stuck up - just look at her. She will only date guys wid two letter calls, but sometimes makes an exception for WA1's...

T

so you rinse her off when you are done................

I suppose she will do the driving or is her sister coming along to service the big G

OK Fine, then I'm bringing mine as well, this is the new upgraded version

(http://www.anncoulter.com/photos/annblack.jpg)

I love anchovies Frank

I will be there.

Mike  WU2D

Here is an archival shot of WA1QHQ Mark from Spring 2005 Hosstraders. He is a bit cool.

Mike we will be in the same spot and hopefully save you guys a space.
Hopefully the grill is up to the task. Should be warmer Friday.

Just spoke with Dirk WA2CYT and John K1DEU

Both vow to be there.

No?????????

The Dirk-A-Tron, this promises to be a rare treat indeed!

He suuure was whistling a different tune this morning! You'd better roll tape the next time, Paul. Dirk has no recollection of this vow. According to Bruce, he has a number of lawnmowers lined up and awaiting service...  ;D

I dunno Todd, here's the scene -- I broke into an existing QSO involving Frank, WY3D/2, Dave, W4QCU, Dirk, Ken W2DTC and Dave K2DK/4. I wanted to pull Ken down the band to roll some tape on his new microphone (the RE-27), but while I was there I also asked Dirk whether I was going to see him at Hosstraders.

It would be what I thought was our first meeting in the 30 years I've talked with him on 75m.

This prompted him to recall what he thought was our initial meeting years ago at Dayton, and even what he thought was a road trip involving me and Kevin, WB4AIO. Turns out in the fog Dirk probably was remembering that he met Chip, WB4ZVR on that occasion, not me. But in this exchange I am sure I heard him say he might see me at Hosstraders.

Then again, I was on my way out the door to take Ken down to 3870Kc or thereabouts, so maybe I misheard.

Right about then, John, K1DEU checked in and also indicated he would be there, with a straw hat. I thought I'd seen his picture somewhere -- that I said I would print out as the Wanted Poster, but it was an allegation he vehemently denied (that there was a snapshot of him out there somewhere).

That prompted this search and this pay dirt.
YET another AMer who wears a coat and tie to get on the radio with us.

(http://hamelectronics.com/k1deu/images/family/family_22k.jpg)

Now whether that suit works with a straw hat, we will have to wait and see.

Hi All:

I'll be there Friday only.

73
dan
W1DAN

Where does one setup camp for the evening especially near the AM gang?  This being my first time to overnight there I'm not sure where to land my truck.

Bob you want to be up by the Swine Barn.   For real!!

Wonder if this guy will be there?

(http://www.brucehowes.com/photogallery/HossTraders01.jpg)

Thanks G, The swine barn it is.  Is there any rhyme or reason to parking for overnight camping?  I'm assuming any open space is free game.  I guess what I'm asking is there's a place for campers and a place for sellers or doesn't it matter.  I never really payed much attention to the way the fairgrounds operators organize things.  I want to park once and not have to move.  Once the beer flows I have no intention of moving the vehicle.

Hey Bob,
That fish market behind the Citco station in your town is great. You locals must be hiding it from the outsiders.
I see the Sunoco station is working its way to $4......again

I'll be in a quieter area so i can crash when I want to and visit the party area.

Got some unused (or discounted new) RG-213 ? 

Looking for 1000' of RG-213 coax.  Odd pieces as short as 25' and USED are OK as long as the inside is not contaminated.  It's to be used for baluns and phasing harnesses, so continuous lengths are not necessary. 

I'll be at Hoss looking to buy all the used RG-213 I can find.... Please bring what you have to sell. ;D

(I can't use any other kind, like CATV hardline, 8/U, etc, so please don't offer - tnx anyway)

73,
T

 

Hi Frank,
I think I'm going to hang in the noisy area for sleeping since I'm notorious for snorring.  I'll bet I can knock-off the needles on some of those pine trees.  Hope to see you there and meet you too.  Yep, John's Sea Food is a pretty good place.  My wife loves their stuff.  I can't say the same though.  I suffer from anaphylaxis.  I took a trip to the hospital a month ago thinking their french fries were safe to consume.  Though if you want some really fresh seafood, Nameaugs in New London is a takeout joint. Their claim to fame, they have their own fishing boats and their stuff is fresh as can be.

Anyone know when the gates open?  What's a  good time to arrive there on Friday?  I'm thinking early afternoon for an arrival time.

MMMMMM THEM'S GOOD EATIN!!

A quick note for those who need to know. 9 AM Friday you can get in...I usually arrive at 9:30 after some of the dust has settled. In past years I have made the mistake of parking near the FM station where Phil Collins songs and all that Classic rock are played to death. I really wish some folks would help those youngins out(oh, no I'm an old buzzard) and get them to actually do radio...live radio without relying on 128meg sampling of songs they didn't grow up with. But that, is another story....

Anyway, there is another hazzard, if you will,  that is the band that usually sets up in the annimal barns near the rest room adjacent to the swine pavillion. If they are there, they play until about One AM....So, If you want some quiet for sleeping and that is a relative term, you are best situated if you set up somewhere between  the exhibit buildings and the AM/Swine area. I know Tron had a dry spot there in the Fall
and I cursed myself for setting up at the edge of the milking display and getting rained on so much that it condensed through the rainfly into the tent. Lessons learned...Just be polite and find yourself a comfortable spot!

The WX still looks good although there may be some showers Thursday night into the early hours of the morning. Anything that moves West to East from the Monadnock region will play onto Hopkinton, it may be a wet morning, but, at this time they are calling for sun and a few clouds with a high around 70 give or take a little...

It does sound about as promising as can be!  We'll have a great time I am sure!


73,
Cliff/ K1KFI

Sorry you didn't enjoy it. I will be there again, as I have been for the last 2-3 years, so be warned. Feel free to stop by and request a song.

Bet you didn't think I'd be on this site. Sorry, but I'd much rather listen to and play classic rock, oldies, etc, than the songs I'm "growing up" with. I can't stand rap, and thats what is popular today with most people my age....

Hey Mike who is that slob with a drink in his hand sitting in that chair.....

WX looks FB OM rain will track south I bet this is going to be a good one.  fc

Hey Tom Vu,
RG214 should also work it is double shielded but the shield is silver plated.
Only thing I have is a spool of that 1/2 inch orange network cable

Jeff,


Sorry to rattle your cage. I do support your efforts but only whish you would add some elements of interest to your potential audience. Open a few mics and put some voices on the air! There are a lot of us around who are not shy and have stories about our hobby and lifestyle to tell.

I think as a group we are happy to see your interest in a hobby that unfortunately is attracting little youth interest. Keep up the good work and spread the word!


73,
Cliff

PS: I'll chat with you at the fest...

Ya know....opnions are like a$$ holes, everybody has one.....
I for one enjoy your music...most of the time........so keep up the good work.
And yes...that rap shi$ sucks big time.

Bill

I want to bring the Indian girl who just visited my desk. she is built like a forged piston in a dragster motor.

Hey Jeff, (N1ZZN)
If'in you open a mic can I do some acoustic Dylan songs and maybe a few Irish drinking songs. I know my singing sounds like a tormented cat and I can't play the guitar too well but hey it would be fun, atleast for me.
I will leave for N.H. about 11AM. See ya later.

Regards
Q, W1QWT

Sounds good to me, lets do it. I have one microphone, and a friend of mine should be bringing a wireless one as well. I was planning on taking more requests this time. The only reason I haven't done enough of that in the past, is really because it's just me doing most of the work. I need time to see everything else going on as well. If we can't get anything good together this time, we can always plan for the future.

Hi:

You need to schedule guest jocks so you can visit the flea!

And while you're at it, up the power a bit...I cant hear you in Mass.

I'll visit tomorrow.

73,
Dan
W1DAN

I'd be happy just seeing the dragster motor.

very patight and perky today.....AC is turned on

Frank,

Man we look almost as good as the steaks in that picture. If the WX is good then we may have some little buddies who want to eat GFZ steak.

I am looking for an UGLY SX-100 or Viking II. Cosmetics not at all important but must funtion. I want to mate it up wit my bfugly NC-50 that was in a fire

If anyone has one they want to bring up to Hosschester let me know

Hey Carl!

Humm, I have one very nice Viking II, with an external VFO, I can gived to you as a gift, just make some extra space in your baggage in your next trip to Mexico.

Unfortunatly I cant make this year to Hosstraders  :(

Best regards!

Pedro XE1YZY

Hi Pedro,
Sorry I missed this post. Thanks for the offer but I can't imagine bringing a Viking II through customs. Bad enough I almost got caught with cigars one time!

You missed a good Hosstraders with some nice New England wx on Friday. I could not believe it but there were no butt ugly Vikings or DX-100s! Must be the first time in 10 years.

I will be in MX City in mid June. Have one business trip to Puebla set up, but do not think we will be getting to Queretaro this trip so we may not be able to have an eyeball. Besides I would have other people from the office with me if we go that far out.

Hope you and the family are well and all settled in at the new QTH.

By the way, your profile lists you as a female. Did anything else change since I had dinner with you last year?

73

Mike,
You and Mark missed out on a good feed chased down with pickled egg plant.

I did'nt see any. Very few Am transmitters this time. Enough NC-125s to open a National Store.

What a crappy night for hostraders usually the day before mother's day.
I bought my gift last week on the way home....

Looking through the posts, I see very little discussion about the actual hamfest. Talking with two vendors who went to this thing, their opinion was that customer attendance was down, vendor attendance was down, and not a lot of great bargains or even a lot of “good” equipment floating around. Both vendors traveled about 300 miles to get there and both said it was a waste of two days of time and expense.

Pete,

Yep, on Friday afternoon and even Saturday there were rare times when you could look down a long asile and see only a few people. It sure wasn't like years ago when we would have trouble getting near a table on Saturday morning.

Many commented on the low attendance being caused by the gas prices, or the threat of rain the past week, eBay, the aging ham population, the internet, etc.

It's funny, cuz I thought this was one of the very best HossTraders I've attended. It's really all about the people and less about the gear. It all depends upon whether you have all the junk you need or want more. Most of the AMers were there for the fun, so we made it happen.

BTW, I've been axed why I've spent less time on the air lately. This should explain a few things:

QTF?

What posts are you (obviously not) reading? What crucial information is missing, here? Read the posts in this section alone and you can determine: the weather was great, the food was fantastic, everybody had a good time, there were some good deals to be had, W1E was a big hit with everyone, some moron picked a fight with me, there are tons of pictures available... and we haven't discussed the hamfest?

If you want an itemized inventory of everything for sale, go to the hamfest!


Nobody put a gun to their heads and told them they had to go, Pete. Boo hoo for them if it didn't live up to their expectations, the hamfest isn't there for their benefit.

Hint: the only vendors most of us care about are the ones selling food! If you want to buy a shiny new ricebox or a G5RV kit, you don't need a hamfest for that. What exactly were your pals selling?

Last fall was a complete washout, almost nobody showed up, including most of the food vendors, and these people are complaining that the attendance was down this time?

I repeat: QTF?

You can tell your vendor buddies that attendance was great, the weather was great, there were some good deals to be had, and that they can stay home next time. It would certainly be a more constructive use of your time than getting on here to piss and moan about being disappointed with a hamfest you didn't even attend!

Think about it.

--Thom
Keep Away One Zero Grounds Complaint

Agree that there were less people, but you know what, I sold and bought just as much as I always have

The advantage is that with the smaller crowds you can get to see stuff and look under the tables where the good stuff lays. I hate fests where you feel like cattle being hearded past the table.

Will be at Dayton next wee k and am looking forward to see how that goes.

 – Plus I picked up a great TX-1 to flip on to eBay- Oh never mind that was my uncle Petes-

I was more into socializing and meeting the AM crowd more so than shopping however, I did spend some time looking around the various tables and there was some good stuff to be had.  I didn't buy anthing but there was a fair share of good stuff parts wise.