Hamfest Survival Guide

  1. What, When, Where & How Much?
    1. What?- Hamfests are a combination of social event, flea market, convention and/or Lottery
      1. Meet old friends and discover new ones- normal social laws of talking to strangers are suspended
      2. Flea Market- buy and/or sale ham gear, electronics, computers and "stuff"
      3. See new equipment, gather manu factors literature, learn about new trends
      4. Other activities:
        1. License Exams
        2. Seminars
        3. Contests
          1. Fox Hunts
          2. Code Receiving or Call Identification
          3. Oldest, Youngest, Longest Licensed, Farthest Traveled, etc..
      5. Prizes
        1. Mobile Check-In
        2. Hourly Drawings
        3. Main Door Prizes
        4. Supplemental Drawings and/or "50/50"s
        5. XYL and/or "Harmonics" Drawings
      6. Size: Small- County, Medium- Multi-county, Large-State to Region, Mammoth- Regional to National
    2. When?-
      1. Day and Time-
        1. Usually Sunday "early" morning to afternoon
        2. Day Conventions- Sat & Sunday occasionally also Friday
      2. Season-
        1. Winter- Indoor
        2. Summer- Outdoor or Indoor/Outdoor
        3. Dead months- Middle of November to late January
      3. Finding the Dates
        1. ARRL Web Site
        2. Magazine columns
        3. Club Newsletter
        4. Lists, Fliers or Mailings
    3. Where?-
      1. Summer- Fairgrounds, Parks, Parking Lots
      2. Winter- Party Centers, Fairgrounds, Schools, Armories, Legion/Lodge Halls
      3. Small- Dover, Asthabula, Lorain, Canton, Canfield, Medina
      4. Medium- CFARC, Goodyear, Cleveland (Winterfest), Findley, Butler (BARC)
      5. Large- Warren, Butler (Breezeshooters), Cleveland (Berea Fall), TSARC
      6. Mammoth (Conventions)- Dayton Hamvention, Florida Hamboree
    4. How Much?-
      1. Admission-
        1. $1 or $2- No Main Prize chances included, small door prizes only
        2. $3 to $8- Usual going rate include chance to win main prizes ($100-1000)
        3. $10 to $40- Conventions
      2. Tables / Vendors spots
        1. Outdoor (Tailgate)- Free to $10 per spot
        2. Indoor Table- $5 to $20 (some indoor hamfests have discount if you bring your own table)
        3. Indoor Commercial Vendor- $10 to $1000s
        4. Indoor often require reservation whereas outdoor often accommodate all
      3. Additional Prize tickets- $1 to $5
  2. What to Bring and Wear-
    1. Indoor Buyer Essentials-
      1. Carry bag (canvas tote, backpack)
      2. Pen and/or Pencil
      3. Comfortable Shoes and Clothes
      4. Money- Mixture of bills and change (amount of cash depends on anticipated expenditures)
      5. Credit Card / Personal Checks / Travelers Checks (cash reserve)
      6. Shopping List / Notepad
      7. QSL and/or Business cards
      8. Call / Name Tag
      9. Medications
    2. Outdoor Buyer Essential Add-ons-
      1. Hat
      2. Sunscreen
      3. Layered Clothing
      4. Rain Gear
    3. Indoor Buyer Optionals
      1. HT
      2. Miniature VOM
      3. Extra batteries
      4. Measuring Tape
      5. Ham Catalog (AES) or Ads
      6. Name and Address Stamp
      7. Example or specifications/size of part(s) you need to buy
    4. Outdoor Buyer Optionals
      1. Water bottle
      2. Cart & Bungie cords
      3. Sunglasses
      4. Belt Pack
    5. Indoor Seller
      1. Price Stickers (easily removable)
      2. Paper or cardboard for signs
      3. Plastic grocery bags for customers
      4. All manual, documentation and accessories for items being sold
    6. Outdoor Seller
      1. Tables
      2. Folding Chairs (bring extra so friends can sit and chat)
      3. Tarp or plastic sheets for quick rain coverage
      4. Liquid Refreshments and snacks
      5. HT or mobile radio
    7. Outdoor Seller Optionals
      1. Tent, awning or umbrella to block sun
      2. Large sign or pennant to identify or advertise your site
      3. Free stuff to give away
  3. Shopping
    1. Know what you want
      1. Look at catalogs and magazine ads ahead of time
        1. Keep an archive of catalogs and magazine ads
      2. Visit manufacturers web sites
      3. Visit major vendors web sites
      4. e-ham Reviews
      5. Ask friends for advice
      6. Make a list of "to buys"
    2. Know what it should cost and how available is it
      1. Visit e-bay and various "prices realized" sites
      2. Listen to swap and shop nets
      3. Read Ham Trader ads
      4. Check catalogs and used equipment lists
      5. Comparison shopping (keep a list of location and prices of other items)
      6. Ask knowledgeable friends
      7. Understand rules of
        1. Age and era
        2. Competing products
        3. Supply & demand
        4. Resaliability
        5. Value as Collectors item vs. an item to be used
        6. Seller motivation
    3. Evaluate its condition
      1. Physical Appearance
        1. Wear and tear
        2. Fit and finish
        3. Cleanness and discoloration
          1. Signs of environment in which it was used or stored
          2. Tale tell discoloration-
            1. Overheating or heat damage
            2. Nicotine stains
            3. Mold and mildew
            4. Rust / oxidation
        4. Signs of tampering / modification
          1. Missing or stripped screw heads
          2. Holes in case
          3. Non matching knobs or connectors
        5. When outside physical condition can mean a bargain
      2. Electrical condition
        1. Operation or demonstration
          1. Dependent on power source
          2. Willingness of seller
        2. Passive testing using our VOM
        3. Signs of damage
          1. Smell
          2. Visual
      3. What if its damaged, not working or doesn't work out for my needs
        1. Can I fix it
        2. Can anyone fix it
          1. Are parts available
          2. Is cost prohibitive
        3. Can I use it for parts
        4. Can I resell it if its not right for me
      4. Word of Seller
        1. Sincerity
        2. Familiarity
        3. Honesty
        4. Conditions of other equipment for sale
        5. Terms of sale, return policy, guarantees or warranties
        6. Selling location and conditions
          1. Via mail, radio or Internet
          2. At Hamfest
          3. At home of seller
    4. Negotiate the Deal
      1. Asking price vs. selling price
        1. Motivation of seller / buyer
          1. Atmospheric conditions-
            1. Time of day
            2. Weather conditions
            3. Type and Size of Hamfest
          2. State of Mind-
            1. Emotional Attachment to item
            2. Need for cash
            3. Need to dispose of item
              1. Size
              2. Age
              3. Condition
          3. Need of buyer to acquire the item
        2. The art of barter
          1. Starting Low
          2. Firm Pricing
          3. How much will you pay?
          4. Quantity / Group discounting
          5. Comfort Factors
        3. State your case honestly and sincerely. You may need to pay a slight premium but your chance of disappointment is diminished.
          1. "I'm a new ham and I need to be sure this will work"
          2. "What kind of return policy will you provide"
          3. "Can you demonstrate that it works for me"
      2. Tender
        1. Cash
        2. Travelers Checks
        3. Personal Checks
        4. Credit Cards
        5. Items in Trade
      3. Terms of sale, return policy, guarantees or warranties
      4. Make sure all items have been exchanged
        1. Paperwork
          1. Manuals
          2. Documentation
          3. Receipts
        2. Accessories
          1. Power Connectors
          2. Case
          3. Mounting Brackets
          4. Packaging
  4. Beyond the Buying & Selling
    1. If you don't enter you can't win
      1. Make sure you legibly complete door prize ticket
      2. Make sure you put the correct half of ticket in correct drum
      3. Buy tickets for supplemental drawings or extra tickets for main drawing if desired
      4. Check winners list frequently to claim hourly prize
      5. Stay to final drawing to increase your chances of winning a prize
      6. Check in if there is a mobile checkin prize
    2. Free information
      1. Check main table for Hamfest fliers, vendors catalogs, etc.
      2. Visit commercial vendors for catalogs and give aways
      3. Visit ARRL or other organization tables for information and hand outs
    3. Exams
      1. Check ahead for registration / walk-in requirements
      2. Study ahead of time
      3. Know starting time and arrive a little early
      4. Have your original license, a Xerox copy of your license and any test credit forms, appropriate fee in exact change and a picture ID
    4. Seminars
      1. Read schedule of seminars and plan times to attend (set watch alarm)
      2. Bring Notepad to jot down notes
      3. Get there a little early to get a good seat
      4. Some sessions allow audio or video tape recording (ask first)
    5. Alternate or XYL Activities
      1. Social
      2. Crafts
      3. Games (Bingo, etc.)
    6. Contests
    7. Meet with friends
      1. Share a ride or take a bus trip to get there
      2. Plan a meeting place and times
      3. Select a simplex radio frequency
        1. Follow band plans
        2. Choose frequency other than 2 meters if others have equipment
        3. Use an earphone and / or speaker mic
        4. Bring an extra charged battery
      4. Wear distinctive clothing to be able to be seen in a crowd
      5. Plan a meal- breakfast before, picnic or lunch at or a dinner after (some Hamfest have one or more banquets)
      6. Share a booth for group selling
    8. Make new friends
      1. Chat with strangers
      2. Visit with representatives of clubs and other organizations and ask about membership
    9. Don't forget others not with you
      1. Gifts or mementos for spouse, children, parents and friends
      2. Shop for a friend or relative that cannot attend or is uncomfortable with Hamfest purchasing
    10. Attitude- You can have a good as time as you choose
  5. Post Purchase
    1. Don't lose it or its parts before you get home
      1. Carry a tote bag
      2. Pack to prevent damage or loss
      3. Far from home ship it back UPS, etc.
    2. Fill its needs before you leave
      1. Buy needed accessories before you leave
        1. Carrying case
        2. Mic
        3. Power supply
        4. Speaker
        5. Mobile antenna
      2. Buy needed repair parts if know
      3. Don't forget those new needed connectors
        1. Power Connector
        2. Mic connector
        3. Antenna / RF connectors
    3. Don't Blow it Now
      1. Check all settings and connectors before powering up new equipment
        1. Make sure DC polarity is correct
        2. Check for shorts in power connectors
        3. Make sure no over valued fuse have been substituted
        4. Make sure all switches and knobs are set correctly
        5. Follow electrical safety rules
      2. Read the manual
      3. Ask an experienced friend
      4. Don't Transmit outside you license privileges
    4. Clean it up (see Pre Sale section)
  6. Pre Sale / Selling
    1. Cleaning
      1. Keep it clean and avoid scratches
        1. Never use non-removable adhesives and remove as soon as possible
        2. Get a good carrying case and use it
        3. Don't paint or change unit unless necessary
        4. If you do modify
          1. Do a neat job
          2. Document all changes on schematic or in manual
          3. Use matching parts, knobs etc.
          4. Pay special care to cutting holes in cabinet
      2. Physical Cleaning
        1. Tools
          1. Old toothbrush
          2. Soft cloth rags
          3. Vacuum cleaner and/or canned air
          4. Fine steel wool
          5. Construction paper
        2. Cleaners
          1. Sprays such as Fantastic or Formula 401 and Windex
          2. Mild soap and warm water solution
          3. WD-40 (lubricant and adhesive remover)
          4. Polishes and Waxes- (pre check on non view able surface to prevent damage)
            1. Toothpaste
            2. Rubbing compound
            3. Plastic polish
            4. Car wax
            5. Baby oil
            6. Armor-All
          5. Solvents- used only when needed (and pre checked on non view able surface to prevent damage) including alcohol, acetone, xylene and paint removers
      3. Electrical Cleaning
        1. Make sure all contacts are clean and non oxidized (but do not remove surface)
          1. Pencil eraser
          2. Steel wool
          3. Emery cloth
          4. Wire brush
          5. Contact burnisher
        2. Cleaning tuners, fans, circuits
          1. Compressed air or vacuum
          2. Spray on cleaners (use care not to damage case surfaces and paint)
      4. Collectable Items- Do no cleaning that could decrease value, when in doubt don't touch it
    2. Packaging
      1. Keep all original packaging if possible
      2. Put small accessories in zip lock bags to keep from loosing
      3. Put manuals in open top plastic notebook protectors
      4. Be aware of condensation phenomena of sealed baggies in the sun
    3. Pricing
      1. Labeling
        1. To label with price or not
        2. If labeling do it with proper easily removable tags
        3. Signs may replace labeling
      2. Make a list for yourself or others who may be selling at your table listing all items, their asking price and your minimum price you will consider
    4. Theft and cheating
      1. Hams tend to be more honest than general public but not everyone at a Hamfest is a ham and there are even hams who are exceptions to the rule
      2. Although most sales are caveat emptor, don't lie. It is not worth it in the long run. Tell the buyer what you know about an item. If you don't know if something works tell them that.
      3. Small expensive items are the most apt to walk away. A string tied to an HT or display case can help prevent the casual walk away.
      4. Two sets of eyes can help prevent the distraction of showing one customer an item while another customer takes a five finger discount
      5. Count your change and count money given to you. As in any mostly cash exchange follow usual precautions.
    5. Alternative selling methods
      1. Large cardboard sign listing items being offered for sale. Items are show only to interested customers
      2. $ Boxes- Assorted items arranged in group of boxes, racks or trays at a set cost per item as in "All items in this box $2 each" Offer discounts on multiple purchases "or 3 for $5
      3. "Surprise Box", "Grab Bag" or "Handful" sales quantity of know or unknown items are sold as a bundle at a low price. Sometime may involve bins of small items such as nuts and bolts and pricing is based on cupful, handful or by the pound, often mix and match.
      4. Package deals- offering a complete station: radio, power supply, mic, antenna, etc.
      5. Signs requesting trades for items being offered
      6. "Club tables"- members of a club pull a number of items and then have a few members man table at a time
      7. "Silent Key" sale- Family member or friend of family sells entire estate of a ham who has died.
      8. Auctions
        1. Classic
        2. Silent
  7. Dayton- Granddaddy of all Hamfests
    1. What is it like
      1. 3 days
      2. 25,000 plus people
      3. Acres and acres of indoor and outdoor vendors
      4. Scores of forums
      5. More than $100,000 in door prizes
      6. Freebies from the major manufacturers including hats, pins, maps, cups, etc.
    2. What it is not-
      1. Predictable weather
      2. Boring
      3. Easy to find lodging
      4. Haute Cuisine
      5. Your small local Hamfest
    3. Not just radios
      1. Computers
      2. Software
      3. Electronic Parts
      4. Surplus and used consumer electronic devices
      5. Military surplus / relics (torpedoes and hand grenades)
      6. Tools and gadgets
      7. "Junque"
    4. Meet a celebrity or make a new friend
      1. Wayne Green, Dave Sumner, Section managers, Rare DX, Big Gun Contesters, TV and Movie personalities, US Senators and Astronauts are among those I have meet in my years at Dayton
      2. Ever stand in a line with 50 people at a restaurant and everyone chats with each other?
      3. Hats with hams (pork type), beam antennas, etc. are not unusual here.
    5. Creature comforts
      1. Sunscreen
      2. Layered clothing
      3. Knowing the rest rooms with the shorter lines
      4. Drink plenty of Liquids
      5. Very comfortable, well broken in shoes
      6. A friend or two with flea market spots to stop by and rest or drop off items purchased for storage
      7. Headache and stomach ache remedies
      8. A confirmed reservation at an area motel
    6. If you can't find it here you probably don't need it
      1. Bring a big shopping list
      2. Bring plenty of cash
        1. Some vendors accept Credit cards but some charge premium
        2. Traveler's Checks are OK
      3. Make a list of all items you see that you may want to revisit with price asked and vendor spot number
    7. The Day can make a difference
      1. Make a game plan using the program. Set up your schedule
        1. Seminars / Forums / Speakers
        2. Flea market time
        3. Indoor Vendor time
        4. Evening / Alternative activities / banquets / hospitality suites
        5. Don't forget to allow time for food/drink and rest room breaks
      2. Buy items that will not be around long first.
      3. Friday morning is prime time to find items in flea market
      4. If you plan a major radio purchase
        1. Check prices and availability at vendors on Friday afternoon or early Saturday
        2. Make purchases by late Saturday to avoid sell out
      5. Although flea market prices may drop by Sunday, often item might be gone.
      6. Major manufacturers' freebies...
        1. are often gone by Sunday
        2. are often distributed a scheduled times, as on hour or half hour
      7. Sunday is a good day to visit vendors to see new product and window shop.
      8. Save postage and time on Sunday visit...
        1. ARRL or other organizations and renew your membership / subscription
        2. Manufacturers and pick up product information
      9. If your schedule permits stay to very end...
        1. More chances to win door prizes
        2. Flea market scavenging
    8. Don't lose it...
      1. Your admission ticket you will need it to...
        1. reenter indoor areas
        2. claim any door prizes (don't forget to check hourly drawings on indoor TV monitors)
      2. Your money, keep your wallet safe!
      3. Your Way- Outdoor flea market and labyrinth of indoor vendor booths can be confusing. Use map in your program mark off areas as you visit them. Make notes of where you want to revisit.
      4. Your patience, you will be waiting in many lines- admission, rest room, food vendors, etc. Make the best of it meet a new friend, read your program, plan your strategy
      5. Your sense of humor. You will need it as you encounter strange sites everywhere.