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Author Topic: NEAR-Fest XXVI: The Offical Word  (Read 8520 times)
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W1RC
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« on: October 10, 2019, 07:07:32 AM »

We really need the attendance this time........This message posted by our good friend Bill, NE1B says it all.....

“You have probably heard that quote before!  Rain or Shine, this event needs YOU!  Without attendees, i.e. ticket sales, this will spell the doom of ham flea markets in New England.

If you have not had a chance to stop by HRO in Salem NH, you still can purchase "at the Gate".

Even with rain outside, there are still 4 Inside Building venues for visiting Vendors and Non-Profit Clubs.  Also many Flea Marketers with big tents.

Don't be a wuss.  Come on out Friday and Saturday.  Bring rain gear if it gets misty.  This is a great social event for the ham community!

NEDECN will have a table there both days in the Concessions Bldg.  Don't forget about the Tower Safety Class on Friday at noon by K1IR.”

73,
Bill, NE1B
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KD1SH
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« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2019, 12:22:55 PM »

   We AM'ers like to think that we're more of a "rugged individualist" crowd than the rest.  Let's prove it.  Let the slop-bucket guys hide under their beds and play with their Baophengs -we'll be at Nearfest.

Nearfest go brách, báisteach nó grian!
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KD1SH
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« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2019, 05:59:12 PM »

   Several weather outlets, including NWS, are now showing greatly improved forecasts for Friday: no rain until well after noon, and just scattered showers on Saturday.
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AJ1G
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« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2019, 08:01:43 PM »

https://f1.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=43.0615&lon=-71.2884#.XZ_ERSQpCEc

I don’t see the dreaded “R” word anywhere in the latest NWS forecast!  70 percent chance of no precipitation on Friday!

As for the little “s” word (not to be confused with the big “S” word, which fortunately has only rarely paid a visit):

- There’s no soap in it.
- You won’t melt.

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Chris, AJ1G
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« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2019, 06:42:33 AM »

25 miles to the west here in NH, we woke up to CLEAR skies!   Cheesy
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73 de
W1JS
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Steve - K4HX
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« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2019, 10:48:21 AM »

Sun is out now!
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Steve - K4HX
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« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2019, 12:40:02 PM »

Seen so far:

K1KV
K1KW
WA1QIX
K1ETP
K2ORS
KC2FXE
KC2JXX/W2TRH
WA1QIX
W1RC
WX1O
NE1S
WA1SSJ
W1AW HIRAM
W1LO
N1MMD
N1PS
K1KBW
KW1I
K1ANX
KA2QFX
W1IA
W1EKG
KB1IAW
WA1OAT
WA1HLR
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KB2WIG
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« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2019, 03:17:49 PM »


S,

A bit early in the day to see Hiram...

klc
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Steve - K4HX
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« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2019, 04:42:49 PM »

He gets here early for the deals.
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Steve - K4HX
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« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2019, 06:38:48 PM »

More:

AB2RE
W1GTX
K2XAM
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KD1SH
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« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2019, 08:53:26 PM »

   Woke up this morning down here in Connecticut to twinkling stars and the glow of dawn in a cloudless sky.  Absolutely incredible considering the dismal forecast of only a few days ago.  At Nearfest, some sun, some non-threatening looking cloud cover, and only the lightest spitting rain for a few minutes around 3 o'clock.
   Turnout wasn't bad considering the previous forecasts, and there seemed to be a lot of buying and selling going on.  Bought some great stuff from Wayne, WA1SSJ - who seemed to be having a good day - and Gerry, K1GUP.  Met a few AM'ers who I hadn't met before, including KC2FXE and KE1LI, talked to Steve, WA1QIX, Bruce, WX1O, and Bob, K1KBW, who I hadn't talked to for decades.  I'm sad that I missed Warren, K2ORS; bought a rig from him last year - a great guy.  And I never saw Al, W1VTP - don't remember if he was going up Friday or Saturday.  Probably missed a bunch, since I don't yet know a whole lot of AM'ers by sight.
   All in all an excellent day and I wouldn't have missed it, rain or shine.
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w3jn
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« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2019, 08:26:16 AM »

Disappointed I couldn't make it, but I made commitments to attend Hershey before I realized NEARFest and Hershey were the same time.

Highlight was giving an old friend (who owned an original Shelby Cobra 289 for 40+ years) a turn at the wheel in my replica Cobra.  I think it made his weekend.


* imagejpeg_0_1.jpg (224.56 KB, 1024x498 - viewed 376 times.)
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WU2D
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« Reply #12 on: October 13, 2019, 06:43:57 AM »

Had fun at Nearfester and sold a bunch of stuff. It was shack clean out this session.

And I saw old friends and met a bunch of folks that apparently have nothing to do at midnight but watch some of my Youtube Videos! Don't you people have wives or girlfriends?
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KD1SH
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« Reply #13 on: October 13, 2019, 06:28:15 PM »

I came home with a really clean B&W 5100B.  Woohoo!
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"Gosh, Batman, I never knew there were no punctuation marks in alphabet soup!"
—Robin, in the 1960's Batman TV series.
w1vtp
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« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2019, 10:33:23 PM »

Seen so far:

K1KV
K1KW
WA1QIX
K1ETP
K2ORS
KC2FXE
KC2JXX/W2TRH
WA1QIX
W1RC
WX1O
NE1S
WA1SSJ
W1AW HIRAM
W1LO
N1MMD
N1PS
K1KBW
KW1I
K1ANX
KA2QFX
W1IA
W1EKG
KB1IAW
WA1OAT
WA1HLR

I was there. Maybe I was too low in my trike to be noticed

Al VTP


* W1VTP TRIKE AT NEARFEST.gif (701 KB, 1200x800 - viewed 407 times.)
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W3GMS
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« Reply #15 on: October 14, 2019, 01:59:16 PM »

Seen so far:

K1KV
K1KW
WA1QIX
K1ETP
K2ORS
KC2FXE
KC2JXX/W2TRH
WA1QIX
W1RC
WX1O
NE1S
WA1SSJ
W1AW HIRAM
W1LO
N1MMD
N1PS
K1KBW
KW1I
K1ANX
KA2QFX
W1IA
W1EKG
KB1IAW
WA1OAT
WA1HLR

I was there. Maybe I was too low in my trike to be noticed

Al VTP

I believe Todd-KA1KAQ was there as well.  I had heard last night on the AWA PM/AM net there was 35 or so that attended the AM dinner. 

Joe-GMS
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Steve - K4HX
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« Reply #16 on: October 14, 2019, 10:16:49 PM »

The count at the AM Dinner was 23.

Sorry I didn't see you Al. Todd mentioned that you were on a trike.  Smiley
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Todd, KA1KAQ
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« Reply #17 on: October 15, 2019, 09:55:56 AM »

Yes, 23 was the 'offical' dinner count. Pretty good considering the wx and the fact that Dale and the milsurplus crew chose to have dinner at the site.

Did see Al pedal by but was talking with someone and didn't get to say hello. AM was well-represented, saw quite a few of the usual suspects along with a few new faces like W1GTX who runs a T-368.

Aside from the 12 hour drive up it was an enjoyable visit. Noticed a tiny amount of mist when we left the hotel Saturday morning but the ground was dry and we saw no rain all weekend. Those who once again stayed home because it might rain missed out on some great bargains. Like a nice HQ-215 with three filters for......$50? True story, I know the buyer. Saw a couple nice HQ-120s under $100 as well. And much, much more.

I bought nothing but food and gas. Now, I did pick up a couple prearranged items purchased prior: two more Meissner 150B transmitters. Originally started with the cabinet-less one that Paul/AA1SU offered in the Classifieds as a parts donor to finish up the one I got from Shane/N1DMX a couple years back.

But one apparently wasn't enough. Found another in later September, complete and unhacked internally, for a price I couldn't pass up. So at some point in the near future I'll be offering one for sale at a very good price. You'll just have to pick it up (oof).

In an ironic twist of fate, Tim had an item for the AM Pony Express to haul back south for a 3-Lander in MD: a Meissner 150B exciter. What are the odds of that?

Hauled home my RCA SC-88 too, which was on loan to a fellow ham in 1 Land. The Interceptor handled the 1200+ lb load without so much as a grunt. Stopped at W3JN's place overnight on the way home, the perfect way to cap off the trip.

Good ol' fashioned FUN.


* NF-150B_1.jpeg (107.15 KB, 640x480 - viewed 342 times.)

* NF-1.JPG (1468.55 KB, 2576x1932 - viewed 363 times.)

* NF-4.JPG (1065.06 KB, 1932x2576 - viewed 359 times.)
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w1vtp
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« Reply #18 on: October 15, 2019, 09:35:01 PM »

The count at the AM Dinner was 23.

Sorry I didn't see you Al. Todd mentioned that you were on a trike.  Smiley


Likewise. Hollar at me next time.  That trike is a lifesaver for me 'xept I need a trailer to haul off the "stuff."  Smiley
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« Reply #19 on: October 18, 2019, 09:17:04 PM »

Todd,
Glad the Meissner 150-B went to a good home.  It was more than I could handle.  I hope to have my existing vintage AM gear on the air soon, but lately, I've been addicted to FT8.

73
Paul AA1SU

I bought nothing but food and gas. Now, I did pick up a couple prearranged items purchased prior: two more Meissner 150B transmitters. Originally started with the cabinet-less one that Paul/AA1SU offered in the Classifieds as a parts donor to finish up the one I got from Shane/N1DMX a couple years back.

But one apparently wasn't enough. Found another in later September, complete and unhacked internally, for a price I couldn't pass up. So at some point in the near future I'll be offering one for sale at a very good price. You'll just have to pick it up (oof).

In an ironic twist of fate, Tim had an item for the AM Pony Express to haul back south for a 3-Lander in MD: a Meissner 150B exciter. What are the odds of that?

Good ol' fashioned FUN.
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wb1ead
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« Reply #20 on: October 21, 2019, 09:53:17 AM »

Hello all..was curious as to how it turned out attendence wise..?..looked like W1RC was sorta sketchy 'bout future events hinging on how many showed up etc..I was there Friday and in what I call "the lower parking place"..it was NOT crowded there and I found a spot right up against the test bldg..sold it all or was that "gave it away"?..anyhoo my mission was to not take it home..looking around though I noticed plenty of gud spots or empty places up on the main area..and in the two large metal buildings one was half full with the other pretty sparce with stuff inside..the log cabin was I'd say 3/4 full at best..all in all perhaps 70% of the spring event as best I cud see..so how 'bout it Mr Mike?..what's the final verdict?..did not see anything on the Nearfest website..hopefully it was enuf of a success to carry on for next time..anyone else who knows wud be great to have ya chime in....
                            Take care all and lets hope for a spring event!!  73 de DAVE WB1EAD
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KD1SH
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« Reply #21 on: October 22, 2019, 08:22:22 AM »

   I've never seen Nearfest attendance data, and really don't expect to.  As far as the financial viability of Nearfest, we'd need to know more than just attendance figures, and Mr. Mike and the Nearfest management have no need or obligation to provide it, and I don't expect them to.
   My feeling is that Nearfest has survived far worse weather events than this, and we can be assured of many more wonderful 'festers in the future, some sunny and some rainy.
   Realistically, I think Mr. Mike's exhortation that we all turn out is less a reflection of immediate events like rain than a reflection of long-term trends like the rise of on-line trading venues and the ongoing attrition of older hams of the sort who are likely to buy and sell at Nearfest.
   I hope I never see a day when Nearfest is only a memory, and my thanks - as always - to Mr. Mike and his crew for all they do.

Hello all..was curious as to how it turned out attendence wise..?..looked like W1RC was sorta sketchy 'bout future events hinging on how many showed up etc..I was there Friday and in what I call "the lower parking place"..it was NOT crowded there and I found a spot right up against the test bldg..sold it all or was that "gave it away"?..anyhoo my mission was to not take it home..looking around though I noticed plenty of gud spots or empty places up on the main area..and in the two large metal buildings one was half full with the other pretty sparce with stuff inside..the log cabin was I'd say 3/4 full at best..all in all perhaps 70% of the spring event as best I cud see..so how 'bout it Mr Mike?..what's the final verdict?..did not see anything on the Nearfest website..hopefully it was enuf of a success to carry on for next time..anyone else who knows wud be great to have ya chime in....
                            Take care all and lets hope for a spring event!!  73 de DAVE WB1EAD
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—Robin, in the 1960's Batman TV series.
W3GMS
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« Reply #22 on: October 22, 2019, 09:00:13 AM »

Without going into any numbers, NEAR-Fest maintains margin in their finances to allow for less than stellar attendances due to weather.  That is a must and everyone knows it, so obviously there is a cushion and that serves the Fester well. 

People go to NEAR-Fest for different reasons.  For me and many others, its all about the people we see and meet.  Tailgating is fun and it helps pass along gear to those looking for things.  So the Fester is really more than about the weather.  We have been there in rain and still had a great time. 

Due to our distance to travel, we go once per year.  Our slot is in the Fall now.  If the weather is poor, we still go and have a great time. 

I suggest everyone relax about this,  sit back and look forward to the Spring NEAR-Fest and many more NEAR-Fest in the future.

Joe-W3GMS,

Volunteer Staff           
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« Reply #23 on: October 29, 2019, 10:11:07 PM »

The weather was fine. Not sure why attendance was down (if it was compared to recent years). It was noticeably less than the previous time I made it to NEAR-Fest, around 2014/15.

NEAR-Fest is one of the better fest I've ever attended over the years. Enjoy it while it lasts (us or the fest).
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