TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 427.fidonet-ls_arrl@1:2320/33 28b874bd   
   PID: Synchronet 3.20a-Win32 master/a59d7d36d Apr 13 2023 MSC 1929   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.20-Win32 master/a59d7d36d Apr 13 2023 MSC 1929   
   BBSID: TBOLT   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
   At The Hamfest   
      
   After you take care of parking and admission fees, you're likely to see   
   the following at a hamfest. Note that the bigger the event, the more of   
   these there will be.   
      
   Bring cash, as most may NOT accept checks or credit/debit cards. However,   
   guard your money carefully!!   
      
   1) Dealers, that sell new gear, accessories, antennas, connectors,   
   software, manuals, etc. If you buy computer hardware or software, be   
   sure you scan it for viruses and spyware before using it.   
      
   2) Flea market tables, where you can usually get a good deal on used   
   gear, that you couldn't afford new. However, the phrases "buyer beware",   
   and "you get what you pay for", APPLY!!   
      
   Unfortunately, some of the gear that is "sold" ends up as a "worthless   
   boat anchor doorstop"...as the original owner may be wanting to "make   
   some money off of a worthless item".   
      
   Try to avoid purchasing "antique radios"...and "learn the smell of burnt   
   or overheated electronics". Replacement parts for vintage gear...or where   
   the electronics have been burned out...will be EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, if not   
   IMPOSSIBLE, to obtain. If the hamfest has a "Test Bench", try the gear out   
   BEFORE you shell out the money, write a check, use your credit card,   
   etc...and, if the person won't let you test the gear before you purchase   
   it, it's best that you POLITELY DECLINE their offer, and move along to   
   another table. If the price sounds "too good to be true", it probably is.   
      
   3) Forums, discussing any of several aspects of the hobby. There may also   
   be an ARRL forum, where you can meet your State Section Manager, ARRL   
   Division Director, or other officials from the ARRL.   
      
   4) VE Testing, where you can take an exam for a new ham radio license, or   
   for a license upgrade. The license exam may be ARRL/VEC, W5YI VEC, or   
   another group. For an overview of what a license exam session may entail,   
   go to www.theweatherwonder.com/hamradio.htm#examday   
      
   5) Concessions, where the local club is selling food and drink, so you   
   don't have to leave the hamfest site to grab a bite to eat, if you don't   
   want to. Bear in mind that the menu is usually what you'll find at a   
   ballgame (hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, etc.). Restaurants are   
   usually nearby, if you prefer to eat out, as it were.   
      
   6) Prize drawings, the main draw of the hamfest. The smaller prizes can be   
   manuals, books, repeater directories, connectors, etc. -- while the big   
   prizes can be HT's, mobile or HF rigs. You usually have to be present to   
   win, except for maybe the grand prize, which is usually awarded just   
   before the end of the hamfest. For the amateur radio gear prizes, you   
   MUST be a licensed amateur radio operator, or have just passed your   
   license exam at a test session earlier in the hamfest, to win these items.   
      
   7) Wouff Hong. If the event is an ARRL Division or National Convention,   
   lasting for more than a day, there may be the Wouff Hong ceremony. This   
   Secret Society, and its ceremony is a FUN part of the hobby. However, I   
   can NOT go into the exact details as to what goes on...you have to   
   experience it for yourself...but you do get a nice certificate afterwards.   
   The ceremony is usually held in the mid to late evening hours...midnight   
   is preferred, but sometimes, they'll do it a bit earlier. I went through   
   it at the 2007 ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, and the 2013 ARRL   
   Delta Division Convention...and let's just say that "a good time is had   
   by all". For further details on the history of the Wouff Hong, check out   
   the "ham radio history" bulletin, and scroll down to near the bottom.   
      
   8) DFing (Direction Finding) and Fox Hunting. Sometimes there will be a   
   "fox hunt" set up where you try to hone your direction finding skills, to   
   locate a hidden transmitter...with the winner usually receiving a nice   
   prize.   
      
   9) Displays of various emergency communications vehicles, etc. related to   
   amateur radio.   
   --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32   
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)   
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