“Hamfests, the flea market of the amateur radio world, are part buying expedition and part social affair. Shopping a hamfest can be great way to outfit your shack, plus if you’ve been involved with ham radio more than a few years, a great way to connect and reconnect with those faces behind the microphone.
But shopping at a hamlets isn’t without peril. The same rules apply to a hamfest as at any type of flea market, but also get to add the uncertainty of buying a piece of electronic equipment. You can either accomplish a great score, or be stuck with a pig in a poke. In that vein, here’s some tips that served me well when shopping at hamfests.
Arrive early (or stay late)
Shopping at a hamfest is all about timing. Getting there early is the only way to be assured the best selection. If you are looking for something desirable, an early start may be the only way you’ll be able to find it before someone else snaps it up. Conversely, staying to the bitter end can give you the leverage to buy something at a fraction of its price, as sellers are more willing to discount instead of trucking it back home….READ FULL ARTICLE “
More
Polish Radio Hams Provide E-Mail Access in War
A few minutes ago the Polish Amateur Radio League published on its social networks: “Dear HAM operators, in the face of the latest threats in ou... Read more
817 Companion for Yeasu 817 – App
Yeasu 817 The 817 Companion app is dedicated to all the proud owners and users of the Yeasu 817 amateur radio. The Yeasu 817 is a fantastic radio bu... Read more
Qatar OSCAR-100 Wideband Spectrum Monitor
OSCAR-100 This spectrum monitor, hosted at Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, shows the Qatar OSCAR-100 wideband transponder onboard the Es’ha... Read more
New ICOM IC-705 Features! New Firmware!
New ICOM IC-705 Features! New Firmware! Read more
Put that Amateur Radio License to Use on 915 MHz
by Elliot Williams Amateur radio enthusiasts in the US will be interested in Faraday, an open-source digital radio that runs on 915 MHz, which amateu... Read more
SKYWARN Recognition Day is Saturday, December 2
A heads up: SKYWARN™ Recognition Day (SRD) will take place this year on Saturday, December 2 from 0000 until 2400 UTC (starts on the evening of Friday... Read more
FTDX101D Operation Manual
FTDX101D Operation Manual (1904D-BS) ( 17.82 MB ) Amateur Radio \ Brochures \ HF/Satellite Transceivers and Amps FTDX101D Front Waterfall Pr... Read more
Announcing the Tytera MD-9600 DMR Digital Mobile Radio!
Tytera shook the world of digital radio in 2015 with the introduction of the MD-380, a portable handheld capable of both DMR and analog operation at a... Read more