K1RQG HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

This is a preliminary presentation and will be updated /corrected in the near future.
I have been using this control system for two years now and have recently shared
it with a few folks that were intersted in using hydraulics for elevation, and a few
folks that were interested in improving thier control system.



The "Official" Hosstraders web site



 

 Hosstraders 2007 

   See Below
    Message

            Updated Feb 9, 2007


To All Radio Amateurs...
From the Hosstraders, Joe K1RQG, Bob W1GWU, and Norm W1ITT
February       2007
Re: Hosstraders Tailgate Swapfest

The October 2006 event was the last Hosstraders.  After careful consideration, we have decided to discontinue
hosting the event. 
A combination of factors have led to this difficult decision.  We've been running Hosstraders
for a third of a century, but we've
always done it "our way" and we feel that the result has been an event unique
in the Amateur Radio world, certainly in New England. 
A number of things have been taken into account,
but foremost in our mind is that we want Hosstraders to be a quality experience in 
every way, and not to slowly
run it into the ground just for the ride.   We want to take things out on a high note, while we can
still be
proud of our efforts.


Briefly, the factors that led us to this point are problems with site logistics, the changing face of flea marketing
due to  internet commerce, 
changes in directions of Amateur Radio, and just the fact that we have done it for a third
of a century and we are getting old and tuckered
out.  It is not our intent to elaborate further on these matters. 
Nor do we intend to anoint or endorse any successors, or go into the 
business of Hamfest Consulting, so please don't
ask.  We are unaware of any person or group in the region with the experience to 
“take over”.  Therefore,  be very
cautious of anyone who comes forward claiming to be the "new Hosstraders".  Running an event of

Hosstraders' size and impact is more challenging than it appears!  What's the next step?  Well, for us, we plan to
relax and play radio.   For the rest of the Amateur community in the Northeast, 
we'd suggest that you get off the
internet and on the air.  Support your local clubs, and their events.  Put up an antenna for some ham 
who needs a
bit of assistance, and help to maintain the fraternal aspects of our hobby.


We wish to thank you for your great support these many years.  We often hear from hams who have been attending
Hosstraders since 
those early days in Seabrook.  Since that first event, where 61 of us met on a flat grassy field, we've
had lots of fun, and made lots 
of memories.  We've also donated over 1.3 million dollars to the Shriners' Hospitals
for the care and support of severely burned and 
crippled kids.  We are proud of that, and those who participated
can share in that pride.  The need still exists at the Hospitals, so 
if you wish to make someone happy, perhaps
each year on the anniversary of Hosstraders, you could send a check along to Boston, 
Springfield or Montreal. 
They will not waste it!


We hope you'll remember the times we all had together at Seabrook, Deerfield, Kingston (!), Rochester and Hopkinton.  
You can be sure that we will never forget.

Hosstraders Mission Statement

The Hosstraders Tailgate Swapfest, as it is officialy known, is an outgrowth of the Hosstraders Net which
was a regular Sunday afternoon feature on 3940 khz, starting in the Fifties.  Joe K1RQG, prime net
control, Norm WA1IVB(now W1ITT), and Bob W1GWU decided, at the prodding of some participants to
close the winter net season with a swapfest somewhere in New England.  The purpose of the gathering
was mainly social, with hosstrading a secondary concern. The first event was held at Seabrook NH in 1973,
and lost a little money, but a good time was had by all and it was resolved to do it again.
With each passing year, the event became more successful, moving from Seabrook to Deerfield, briefly to
Kingston after some fools came close to burning a barn down , on to Rochester, and now to Hopkinton
State Fairgrounds, New Hampshire's finest agricultural location.

The event began turning a profit while still at Seabrook. After supporting the  March of Dimes campaign
one year, we started sending our profits to Shriners' Hospitals through Simadi Shrine Club. In 2002 our
cumulative gift broke one million dollars.  The Shriners now handle some logistics, leaving Joe, Bob and Norm to
concentrate on other things.

The focus of Hosstraders remains on providing Radio Amateurs in the Northeast with a place to gather
twice a year to socialize, to provide a commercial venue for the sale of Amateur Radio equipment and closely
related gear, and to continue to support our favorite charities... the Shriners Hospitals for burned and crippled
children.  After the payment of our miserly expenses, every cent is allocated through Simadi Shrine Club, of
New Hampshire's Bektash Temple, to the hospitals in Boston, Springfield and Montreal.

The Hosstraders is occasionally described as a benevolent dictatorship, run entirely by the three afore-
mentioned people. As such, it is not open to broader membership or even suggestions on most days.
We realize that many people over the years have had ideas on how to change Hosstraders. Looking at
 things from the broader perspective of a third of a century of operating this event, we generally prefer
to maintain things as they are.  Such attitudes are not uncommon when young men begin to evolve into
old buzzards.  Hosstraders works.

We ask for your continued support and mostly for your cooperation in maintaining the spirit of the event.
We hope you will respect our hosts, the Hopkinton State Fair Association  and their property( and maybe
even come back to visit their Fair. ) Also, the Shriners do a wonderful job in fair weather and foul, and
ask only for courtesy and occasionally exact change.  Your hosts, Joe , Bob and Norm operate this event
in their spare time, and at some personal expense.  They ask that you come and enjoy yourselves in a
manner that does not detract from the enjoyment of others.
 


* Remember *
The only official word regarding the Hosstraders Hamfest is from the following three stations:

Norm Blake W1ITT
Joe Demaso K1RQG
Bob Tiffany W1GWU 
Please direct all questions to them.

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