TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 428.fidonet-ls_arrl@1:2320/33 28b874c6   
   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   
   Conclusion   
      
   Hamfests can be termed as "family reunions", because as an amateur radio   
   operator, you are part of a worldwide "family". While you may not be able   
   to go to as many hamfests as you would like, go to the ones that you can   
   attend.   
      
   Many clubs that put these on use them as fundraisers for the expenses that   
   their club incurs each year, with the repeaters, etc.   
      
   If you're licensed, bring your HT...especially if you're coming as a family   
   or group, to keep track of each other. FRS Radios are available for   
   purchase at area stores for those who aren't licensed...to keep track of   
   those in your group...as it's easy to get lost among a large crowd of   
   people.   
      
   If you are a part of a club that puts these on, you'll find out in a hurry   
   that there is a LARGE AMOUNT OF VOLUNTEER WORK to be done...before, during,   
   and after the hamfest...and it takes a large commitment to make the hamfest   
   a success. Whether you do Talk-In, Admissions, Concessions, Security, VE   
   Testing, Forums, Parking, Website, or something else...your offer to help   
   will be greatly appreciated.   
      
   Sadly, many hamfests are disappearing, for a lack of people wanting to put   
   in the effort to put on the hamfest in the first place. So, when you attend   
   a hamfest, let the organizers know how you felt about it. While no hamfest   
   is perfect (there are bound to be glitches), simple encouragement, and   
   "constructive criticism" to those who work with it can help prevent those   
   things from occurring at a future hamfest. Don't berate and lecture them as   
   if they committed the unpardonable sin...this spirit of discouragement is   
   one of the reasons that folks don't want to put on hamfests anymore...as if   
   monetary costs (high gasoline prices, etc.) nowadays weren't enough of a   
   deterrent to hamfests.   
      
   So, the future of the hamfest...and of the hobby of amateur radio is up to   
   you. Do what you can to keep it alive...and be part of the solution...not   
   part of the problem.   
   --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32   
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)   
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