The biggest amateur radio swapmeet in Marion County! Tam and I went yesterday and left before making a second walk-through; I was all worn out. So much so that I napped after unloading the car and only got up for supper.
It was a great hamfest. After many years at a smaller venue, they are back at the Marion County Fairgrounds and there were a lot of new sellers. I did manage to pick up a few items and will have a post about them later, probably over at Retrotechnologist.
Interestingly, the Marion County Fairgrounds are posted "No Firearms." As the Fair is run by a private non-profit, they can do that; it has the same force as such signs at private business: if caught, you can leave or be charged with trespassing. However, at least one retired LEO an INGO member spoke with suggested being caught carrying at the fairgrounds would rate a trip to the lockup.
I went out about 6:30 and left at 9:30. Walked back and forth a couple of times and bought some dipole parts and a tuner for my rig. Now if I can just get the antenna up, maybe I can get on the air.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I bought a hat. Got to have a hat. :)
How often do they have these? I have /got/ to try to make it to the next one.
ReplyDeleteI think the Indy is an annual event. But there are others around the state.
ReplyDeleteIt's annual, as are most -- I think the next ones in Indiana are later in the year.
ReplyDeleteThere's one in Batesville, August 17: http://www.rcarc.net/HamFest.html ARRL has hamfest listings by state: http://www.inarrl.org/hamfest.html
By the way, Nathan, 120 feet will just about do an 80M dipole and it will certainly do a full-size (105') G5RV.
ReplyDeleteYou'd need to have a couple feet at each end drooping down for an 80m dipole: 124'.
Cool. I've got lots of #12 and #10 stranded wire. If you need any, let me know.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roberta. I checked out the ARRL schedule page and the page for the one in Batesville. That's a pretty easy drive from here, so I'll definitely try to make it.
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