Timonium Hamfest

[AG3Y]

A couple of ham friends of mine went to the Timonium MD hamfest this past weekend. I asked one of them his permission to quote the E-Mail he sent me, reflecting their impressions of the event. I think the implications are very clear.

Here is what he had to say:

"The Timonium Hamfest was about 1/3 the size as I remembered it. It used to take 3 or 4 hours to go through just the tailgating area, but Jack and I did it all in about 45 minutes. The Home Arts building, which used to be full of computer vendors and some Ham Radio stuff was converted to standard flea market junk - what a disappointment. The Exhibition Hall, which was always full of new and used Ham Radio dealers, was less than half full of dealers selling Ham Radio accessories - no new radios for sale. All 3 sections of the Cow Palace were still full of used electronics equipment of all kinds.

Overall, I think the Hamfest represents a change in the way Hams are buying and selling these days. In years past, a Hamfest was the primary place a lot of Hams could go and see new Ham gear and make a purchase. It was also a good place to get rid of the gear you didn't need anymore. With use of the Internet becoming such a popular way to do business, the Hamfest, IMHO, is going to be reduced to just a social event in a few years. It's not far from that now."

"Did I have a good time? It was okay, I guess. I would have enjoyed it more if there was more to see. As I said, I walked around with Jack and between the 2 of us, we only spent $2 the whole time and that was something that Jack bought for his wife. I didn't buy anything except breakfast, admission into the Hamfest and lunch."


That's what he had to say. What about you?

73, Jim

[WA2ZDY]

It sounds as though KB3AHE's post fest party may have been the highlight of the day. According to rumour, he had some pretty high standing folks there and that a good time was had by all.

I knew I wanted to get to the fester last year. Oh well.

[W3MIV]

Yes, Jim, that note accurately depicts the continuing descent of what used to be a big and active ham fest. Over the past few years, it has gotten more and more computer stuff (read: junk) and less and less worthwhile radio stuff. I went early on Saturday, arriving at about 0830 and staying until just after noon.

There were, of course, the usual vendors who are worth the trip -- wire and coax that is otherwise hard to find or costly to ship; boxes upon boxes of tubes to pick through if one is so inclined; and the usual bazillion of odd connectors and golly-gee-whiz little tools and gadgets. But the big halls were thinly populated, and the air quite breathable (as opposed to what it used to be when you had a very high density of very large hams jostling through narrow aisles).

Outside was dismal: not many tables and not much on them that was not pure junk that some guy was desperate to be free of (as opposed to having something worth selling). Saw a few good looking Drake 4's, the usual assortment of clapped out FT-#01's but not a lot of anything worth seeing. I am surprised it took your two friends 45 minutes -- took me a whole lot less to become disappointed.

Of course, the usual vendors of MFJ stuff and Heil stuff and others were there and had a lot of gear at fair prices, but not really "bargain" levels unless you figure what it would cost to ship something bulky (and I am one who would rather pay to ship than lug a linear).

Best part of the fest was Riley H's presentation, which was attended by fifty or sixty folks at most.

I usually also hit the Howard County Fair Grounds fests later in the year, and they are usually less and less attended as well.

I think the days of the big ham fests (except possibly THE big ham fest in D.) are behind us.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[K3UD]

Jim,

Did this take the place of the Gaithersburg hamfest?

When I lived around Philadelphia I used to get to it quite a bit and sometimes set up a table. It was one of the best hamfests in the mid Atlantic area. Unfortunately most hamfests seem to be in decline and the 3 I attended in the last 18 months were small and pricing was high.

73
George
K3UD

[KA4DPO]

I had planned on going but got sidetracked buying a new car for my wife. It's too bad because Timonium used to be on of the best hamfests in the area. I hope Manassas and Berryville are good this year. Berryville has never been a big fest but was always fun so maybe it will be good this year, I sure hope so..

[ac3p]

Sorry I missed you guys at Timonium. I was there between 8:30 and noon on Saturday.

I thought the tailgate are may have been between 50 to 60% full. The exhibition hall was about 50% utitlized.
THe Cow Palace was maybe 80% full. I didn't even look at the Home Arts building because I heard it would be mostly craft stuff.

A friend of mine went Sunday and said that tailgating was down to about 40 tailgaters.

Maybe some of it was due to lousy weather the previous 2 years, but I suspect EBAY and the 800 number outfits are taking their tool.

This year the hamboree was scaled down. The ARRL State Convention was eliminated as well as the banquet. A lot of freebies went by the wayside because of the high costs of putting on a show at Timonium.

It's sad to see the hamfests in decline.

[KA3TGV]

The yl, dog, and myself attended the Timonium hamfest on Saturday from 6 AM until noon. It is about a three hour drive but I think we all enjoyed getting out of the house and I personally enjoyed the hamfest. The yl is not a ham but she is tolerant. The dog is the friendly sort and enjoys meeting people.

I wouldn't charactarize the show as a bust; on the contrary I found a lot of the older stuff I am using almost exclusively again after a brief stint using the more modern equipment. There was a lot of interesting older gear in the tailgate area and in the northern end of the Cow Palace. I picked up a decent Johnson Navigator (1950's vintage CW transmitter) for 30 bucks, a large equipment cabinet to house my Collins R-388 receiver, a Barker & Williamson coaxial switch, and complete years of Ham Radio Magazine (1974 and 1975) in the yellow binders. The October 1974 article on high-efficiency rf power amplifiers is worth the cost of admission.

The weather forecasts mentioned 50% chance of rain for Timonium on Saturday; this may have kept some of the outdoor tailgaters at home. Saturday morning turned out to be pleasant, weather-wise.

Although I'm bored with modern amateur gear, I do think the presence of new equipment dealers is indicative of the health of a large event such as this, and I miss them.

The show's sponser, the Baltimore Amateur Radio Club, seemed short-handed when it came to opening the east gate (York Road) for general admission attendees. Some younger folks in military uniforms (Civil Air Patrol?) helped with traffic and parking after 6 AM.

My impression (purely subjective) is the event is not much affected by tailgaters staying home and selling their equipment over the internet. Internet sellers seem to be mostly a different crowd, many of whom are not hams but sell over the internet for an income stream of sorts.

I also feel the event is not diminished by a large number of silent keys; sure, people are always passing on but not an inordinately large number.

What I feel may be holding down attendance at Timonium is the aging of the population that would attend this show. I'm 48, in good shape, and was tired after 6 hours and 3 trips through all of the buildings and the tailgate area. I can see where the older ham might want to stay home and conserve their energy. What with the 6 AM starting time and the long trip it makes for a long, yet enjoyable day.

If more people in the 10 to 40 year old age bracket were to become interested in amateur radio this might reverse the decline in hamfest attendance. I am not all that old, but I can remember when the entire paved tailgating area was filled and other areas in the Maryland State Fairgrounds had to be opened to accomodate the tailgaters.

If the attendance decline is not reversed, perhaps one day the B.A.R.C. will be moving this show out to Howard County Fairgrounds, as the B.R.A.T.S. group, sponsers of the July Timonium hamfest, did last year.

73
Doug Burlew, KA3TGV

[AG3Y]

Quote[/b] (K3UD @ Mar. 28 2006,09:01)]Jim,

Did this take the place of the Gaithersburg hamfest?

When I lived around Philadelphia I used to get to it quite a bit and sometimes set up a table. It was one of the best hamfests in the mid Atlantic area. Unfortunately most hamfests seem to be in decline and the 3 I attended in the last 18 months were small and pricing was high.

73
George
K3UD
George, I don't believe that this takes the place of Gaithersburg. You will have to check out the ARRL hamfest schedule to make sure. They have always had both fests in years past, and I don't expect that it will be any different this year, but if somebody knows for sure, I am sure they will jump in and say so.

I was told that it is possible that Timonium will be moved out west to the Howard County Fairgrounds next year, but I have not heard anything official on that, either. Howard County is closer to Hagerstown, which would be a plus for me, but the grounds are not nearly as big, nor are there as many exhibition halls for indoor setups.

All of this certainly indicates a decline in the old way of doing things.

BTW, Berryville is held on a real old-fashioned fairgrounds that reminds me a lot of the movie "State Fair". Lots of trees scattered around, and a country atmosphere totally unlike the setting at Timonium. It's not so big, but big enough to allow a lot of hams to see each other and renew old aquaintences. A lot of fun !

73, and see you at the fair , uh hamfest ! Jim

[ac3p]

As far as I know Gaitherburg is alive and well. Both fests have had good attendance over the years.

I agree. Berryville is an old fashoined relaxed fest and the barbequed chicken dinner alone is worth the trip.

[WA3KYY]

The Gaithersburg fest is indeed on this September, I don't have the exact dates but it is on the hamfest calander. It returned to the Gaithersburg Fairgrounds last year after several years at other venues under different names, mostly F.A.R. Fest. It will take a few years to get it close to the level of it's glory days before the move to other locations but we are all hoping it will get close to it.

The problem with new equipment vendors is many, such as the HROs, will not come without a guaranteed attendance in the several thousands. This usually requires a major ARRL meeting such as a Divisional Convention to achieve.

I suspect we will see a further decline of the hamfests that do not have the draw of a Section or Division Convention. But if they are like Berryville, which is more of a social occasion than tailgating, they can be fun to attend as well. You don't go to Berryville for the tailgaters, you go to see your friends and have the chicken dinner.

73,
Mike WA3KYY

[K8ERV]

What is a Timonium? Are they working on a cure?

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[N6KX]

There is undoubtedly a downward trend in hamfest participation and attendance over the years, but I think several factors exacerbated the situation at last Sun.'s event at Timonium.

1. #Some attended Sat. instead of Sun., thus thinning the Sun. crowd.
2. #The weather forecast called for a chance of showers early in the day, although they never materialized, scaring many away.
3. #The actual weather, while not rainy, was uncomfortably cold and breezy.

You can bet that when the weather turns warmer, you'll see a more robust turnout for the next Timonium event. #For the many in this region who can't/won't attend Dayton (I among them), the Timonium fest is the local equivalent. #I've been attending them since I moved to the area 17 years ago, and with rare exceptions (such as due to the reasons cited above) they are better than any other local fest I've ever been to (largely in the NYC area).

So just stay tuned! #Neither ham radio, nor the Timonium hamfest, is passing into history any time soon, irrespective of the doomsayers. #It'll never be what it once was, but neither is anything else in life.

Howie N6KX #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KA7RRA]

Hey Iam from Washington State, and we have the same problem here also with low attendance sometimes.. I have been going to ham-fests for the last 25 yrs or so, and I think part of the problem is seeing the same stuff over and over and it is still over price and some of it smells
I remember I asked a guy once who was packing up what he was going to do with his stuff that he did not sell, he told me he would take it to the next ham-fest till it sold I have seen the same over price scanner for the last 4yrs that have not sold because it is over price and a non trucking r scanner

The other problem is not that many people building radio's anymore no need for the spare parts

[VE3ECM]

The Exhibition Hall, which was always full of new and used Ham Radio dealers, was less than half full of dealers selling Ham Radio accessories - no new radios for sale.

That's funny... I saw a booth selling new radios... I guess he wasn't looking hard enough.

[n3vej]

BARC (The Baltimore Amateur Radio Club) appreciates all who attended the Timonium event this year. I'd like to address some of the thoughts I read. The GBH&C event has had 37 years. FARFest, the Gaithersburg show in September is another event, operated by the Foundation for Amateur Radio.

It is certainly no secret that we have lost vendors. Several that we used to depend on have gone out of business. Others are not doing shows, either because of the expense of the fuel and hotel or because they are making enough selling online. The Home Arts building was intentionally converted from "mostly computer" to crafts and home care, a little "xyl" building. This was necessary because many of our computer dealers did not come back after last year's record setting rainfall over the hamboree weekend caused them significant financial loss.

The Cow Palace did well; it was about 85% filled, mostly with repeat vendors.

Tailgating was indeed down, mostly, I suspect, due to the weather forcast. On top of that, a few people sent out messages to large distribution lists recommending that people stay away because it was going to be another rainfest. That, of course, was not helpful.

So the questions we wonder about; where do we get more vendors to replace those that have gone out of business? And how do we help assure that they will get sales, when many people simply go online and buy what they want?

It is indeed sad to see how decimated hamfests have become in 10 years. But perhaps the saddest thing is what happened at our consignment table. We tried to sell equipment for people that could not sell their own. An ICOM 706 MkIIg was taken off the table. We're hoping the person will send the $575 asking price to us:

BARC Consignments
PO Box 120
Reisterstown, MD 21136-0120

That radio belonged to one of our very long time members who is now losing his eye sight. Our attendant was right there, but was answering a question when the rig was swiped.

All in all, though, the show was a success, given the conditions of the hamfest market that have been well discussed in this thread. We appreciate everyone that came and helped make it a success.


Doug Wittich N3VEJ
Public Information Officer
Baltimore Amateur Radio Club

[ky5u]

Guys, if you went and had fun, it was a good hamfest. Now make it a point to buy something and you make it good for the vendors. Buying from ebay is fun, but pretty risky unless you're prepared to assume everything you buy will not work. I have to say the best "bargains" I ever got were at Hamfests.

[K3XR]

Quote[/b] (ac3p @ Mar. 28 2006,07:26)]Sorry I missed you guys at Timonium. I was there between 8:30 and noon on Saturday.

I thought the tailgate are may have been between 50 to 60% full. The exhibition hall was about 50% utitlized.
THe Cow Palace was maybe 80% full. I didn't even look at the Home Arts building because I heard it would be mostly craft stuff.

A friend of mine went Sunday and said that tailgating was down to about 40 tailgaters.

Maybe some of it was due to lousy weather the previous 2 years, but I suspect EBAY and the 800 number outfits are taking their tool.

This year the hamboree was scaled down. The ARRL State Convention was eliminated as well as the banquet. A lot of freebies went by the wayside because of the high costs of putting on a show at Timonium.

It's sad to see the hamfests in decline.
Could not have said it better found the same to be true of the fest this year.
Sorry to say, it is not just Timonium, all the hamfests (at least in this area) in recent years have been declining. #I think in large part, it may reflect the popularity of sites like Ebay, QTH.com etc., why drive to a hamfest when it's all available on the web.

Still great to walk around and look at the goodies, never know when you are going to find that bargain you just gotta have. #Riley was the guest speaker this year.