Unchained Preppers

Communications => Radio => Topic started by: JohnyMac on March 23, 2017, 11:38:57 AM

Title: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: JohnyMac on March 23, 2017, 11:38:57 AM
The world famous (Literally world famous) Dayton Ham Fest (http://hamvention.org/) is happening  on May 19, 20 & 21 this year.
I have never been so MrsMac and I are attending this year. It's a 5 hour drive from the redoubt so we will be spending the night.

The reason I bring this up is that if you are going to attend, and you are planning on staying for the night ALA a hotel, then you need to book your room ASAP. I had to book a room in West Columbus which is a good 50 minute drive to the event.

The Baymont Inn in W. Columbus has 6 rooms left at this time. There is a RV park at the ham fest if you would like to go that route.

Ohio has ccw reciprocity with like 33 states.

Have fun
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: Jackalope on March 23, 2017, 03:08:14 PM
I doubt that I'll be going, as I'll be attending the NEARfest in Deerfield, NH on May 5 and 6th.  I'm trying to decide as to whether I'll camp out at the hamfest.  I usually go to the hamfest and on Saturday I head up to the Kittery Trading Post, which is maybe an hour from the hamfest, to do a little firearm shopping.  The nice thing about NEARfest is that it occurs before black fly season kicks in.  The Kittery Trading Post has an amazing amount of firearms.
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: JohnyMac on March 23, 2017, 10:34:59 PM
Sounds like fun Jackalope.
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: Jackalope on March 24, 2017, 09:38:47 AM
Like some of the other larger hamfests, the NEARfest is a Friday-Saturday event.  The best deals can usually be found on Friday.  The event occurs at a fairgrounds with many buildings which allows the commercial vendors to have a protected space.  Attendees can camp out on the grounds on Friday evening for an additional fee. There's a good mix of radio gear and computer equipment.  The NEARfest is about an hour north of Boston, and about a half hour from Ham Radio Outlet's Hudson, NH store.
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: JohnyMac on March 24, 2017, 09:51:25 AM
If I was living in RI, I would go in a heartbeat. Then add to the trip Kittery Trading Post and you have a VERY EXPENSIVE weekend. Fun but expensive. LOL.
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: Nemo on March 24, 2017, 10:17:22 AM
How do you make any decent trip to ME from NH.  I guess that area is way smaller than Pa/Va/Ga/Fl and in between.   If it really is that much smaller than I was thinking, maybe we really can tow NYC to Quebec or play Titanic with it?

Methinks I must do some serious map time.

Nemo
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: Jackalope on March 24, 2017, 01:04:20 PM
Southern NH and southern Maine are commuting distance to Boston.  I believe that Portland is around 2 hours from Boston.  I can get to Portland in around 6 hours from the Adirondacks, and it's about the same distance to Boston.  Getting back on track with the original thread, it's about a 12-13 hour trip to the Dayton hamfest from my QTH in the Adirondacks.  Johny could check out the Lehman's store in Kidron, on his way home, and if he is there on the right day, there's a large fleamarket adjacent to the Lehman's store.  I can't recall what day of the week the fleamarket occurs, but you can literally find anything there, from CB's to .22 rifles to chickens.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate with the Dayton hamfest.
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: JohnyMac on March 25, 2017, 09:39:22 AM
Great minds think alike!

Yupper Leman's None Electric is on the agenda. Didn't know about the flea market though.  :thumbsUp:
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: Jackalope on March 25, 2017, 12:05:49 PM
My wife and I were able to get there on the correct day.  The fleamarket was good sized, I remember buying a mobile CB radio for like $5.  The Amish were there too, selling basket, baked goods, etc.  The only downside regarding Lehman's is their high prices, but then again, in many cases they're the sole retailer of certain items.  Watch out for road apples!
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: JohnyMac on March 25, 2017, 12:30:49 PM
Yeah, in Lancaster County PA, there are a lot of rural roads with road apples. LOL.

Any thoughts on finding our about the flea market. I DuckDuck doged it but found nothing.
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: Jackalope on March 25, 2017, 10:50:53 PM
It looks like it's Thursdays and Saturdays, according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidron,_Ohio 
Title: Re: 2017 Dayton, OH. Ham Fest
Post by: JohnyMac on March 27, 2017, 08:51:20 AM
Thx Jackalope.  :cheers: