Radio Expo 2003 @ Grayslake, IL

[n9nlu1]

Well, this should be interesting .... Peoria Superfest - Sept 19,20 & 21 ....AND Grayslake Hamfest 20 & 21.

Either one or both will be hurting for attendance and sellers

In previous years, Peoria was always the third weekend of sept, and Grayslake the 4th weekend. Which worked out well for the venders and fleamarket sellers as well as the buyers ... now its going to be split...not good. Makes me wonder if I should even make the trip down to Grayslake this year - would be way tooo far to drive to do both.

Dave
N9NLU
Kewaskum, WI

[n9kpn]

My problem is when this fest gets too late in September. Usually it is VERY cold and few people show up. I can't stand a ham fest that is outside in heavy coat conditions. Should move this to the SECOND weekend of September. I was dreading the last week this year; now that I hear there are TWO multiday fests in one weekend makes me wonder.

[kb9dbc]

It is my understanding that the Lake County Fairgrounds screwed this one up for the Chicago FM club this year. It's not the fault of the club. Perhaps next year the fairgrounds will "pencil in" the correct date for the Chicago FM Club.

[kb9yiv]

For those of you who have experienced this fest before it can be quite large. I am even dealing there this year. It usally takes at least one day to look over every table. I think its a good fest, I rarely make it to Dayton so this is my yearly fun fest. mike kb9yiv

[N9OH]

I always enjoy this one.... and besides, its not that cold. #If you think Sept is cold then you probally were not at the Kane County Fairgrounds back in January for the wheaton hamfest. #That was cold... and inside you couldn't move there were so many people. #I heard the venue for that one has changed for this year.... #let's hope!

[KB9VNQ]

I like the Lake County hamfest. I always come home with something each year, whether I need it or not. I won't be able to make it this year, maybe next year. End of September weather in Chicago is not cold, it just has cool mornings. And yes, it was cold at the January hamfest.
73 all
Scott
KB9VNQ

[n9kpn]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N9OH @ Sep. 10 2003,11:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I always enjoy this one.... and besides, its not that cold. #If you think Sept is cold then you probally were not at the Kane County Fairgrounds back in January for the wheaton hamfest. #That was cold... and inside you couldn't move there were so many people. #I heard the venue for that one has changed for this year.... #let's hope![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I went to the Wheaton fest last year, not that bad as it was all indoors. #With all the people there it was quite packed.

If Radio Expo is held in very late September, it has been quite cold. #This year may be a problem as it is hard to support TWO ham fests in a "relative" near location. #The Woodstock ham fest was nice but got killed because of a near by ham fest. #

GOOD NEWS! #Wheaton Ham fest is at Pheasant Run next January. #See here:

http://www.wheatonhamfest.org/

The Pheasant Run location is very nice for other shows but I have never attened a ham fest there. #It would be nice if they could move this fest back to Arlington Park.

[w9ass]

C'mon folks, both hamfests are 2 DAYS!!! That means you could do Peoria on a Saturday and Grayslake on a Sunday, or vice versa. Many thanks to CFMC for the update and I hope to see all of the junkies from the 146.76 shantytown repeater there in full regalia.

73,

KC9DGM

[WB9EBO]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n9nlu1 @ Sep. 08 2003,12:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Well, this should be interesting .... Peoria Superfest - Sept 19,20 & 21 ....AND Grayslake Hamfest 20 & 21.

Either one or both will be hurting for attendance and sellers

In previous years, Peoria was always the third weekend of sept, and Grayslake the 4th weekend. Which worked out well for the venders and fleamarket sellers as well as the buyers ... now its going to be split...not good. #Makes me wonder if I should even make the trip down to Grayslake this year - would be way tooo far to drive to do both.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
O-r-i-g-i-n-a-l-l-y the Grayslake and the Peoria hamfest were held on the same weekend. It was that way for years.

I was not aware that it had changed to different weekends, but I no longer live in Illinois. Anyhow, this is a reversion, not a precedent.

Gerry Swetsky, WB9EBO/4
Milton, FL

[K8BKE]

i am sure glad i brought up qrz this morning, we were all set for the one advertised thanks for letting us know, we will be there. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kb9sne]

I attended but saw nothing that caught my eye. was it just me or what?? i was looking for more vendors i guess but oh well.. maybe next year..

[n9kpn]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kb9sne @ Sep. 21 2003,22:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I attended but saw nothing that caught my eye. was it just me or what?? i was looking for more vendors i guess but oh well.. maybe next year..[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I did not see much when I was there on Saturday. #I did get to see something unusual, an oxymoron. #This guy had a "brand new antique" straight key from an estate sale. #Umm, okay. #I did not come across any "must have" items. #Many of the outside sellers had items that were worse than junk.

While this fest has been one of the better fests this is no longer the case. #Based on what I saw at this fest, I do not believe it is worth the $10 gate price. #

Chicago FM Club needs to lower the price or find a different venue. #In the past there were three or four buildings in addition to the outside tables. #This year only two buildings. #Not even the outside sheds were filled as in years past. #This could be because I was there on a Saturday or because the fest was held the same time as another fest. #In any case it appeared to me to be way expensive for what was presented.