Really disapointed in Timonium

[KA4DPO]

I went to the Timonium hamfest today and was terribly disapointed at the turnout. It was the smallest crowd I have ever seen there and almost no vendors showed up, mostly just junk dealers.

[KC7GNM]

I went to the Timonium hamfest today and was terribly disapointed at the turnout. It was the smallest crowd I have ever seen there and almost no vendors showed up, mostly just junk dealers.

That is the sad state of affairs for hamfests today. Gas costs way too much to even venture out anywhere. Our state convention is in the north western part of the state and I live in the southeastern part. I won't go because I will spend more in gas than the fest will probably be worth. The group that runs it may try to move it more centrally so that more folks can actually get to it without breaking anyone. I hope they do it soon. It was a very good fest and would like to go again but with $3.25 a gallon of gas I can't afford to drive 8 hours to go to a hamfest that may not be all that great.

[VK6ZGO]

"Timonium" sounds like something out of a Marvel Comic .

Maybe all the hams in the area are Super Heroes & are just being cautious.

"I know it's not Kryptonite, Superman,but it sounds dangerous to me!"


73 VK6ZGO

[K2PJW]

Sorry to hear that. I went to a hamfest last month and had the same scenario. Just a few vendors and a lot of junk. There was actually more old CB equipment than ham equipment. It was a great hamfest at one point in time. It seems as if everyone else across the country is having the same experience.

[KA4DPO]

I have been going to the Timonium fest for the last 20 years or so. I didn't go the last two or three years but remember it as always being one of the best on the east coast. I just don't understand the huge change in attendance and quality. I know gas prices are high but that's not the reason behind the change.

Even the tailgate section was tiny compared with just a few years ago and was mostly junk that no one would want.

[W2BLC]

That one word definition is eBay

[KY5U]

I used to think it was eBay but eBay is only the manifestation of the real issue. I believe the real issue is our older Ham population. You can shop on eBay without leaving your house. Hamfests require the physical effort to go and walk around.

Every Hamfest I have attended in the last couple of years had bargains that beat eBay easily. But you had to hunt for them. And if you shop on eBay these days you know that people are paying big bucks for things, which should be a stimulus to get folks out to the Hamfests. The fact that it isn't begs the question of age and infirm in our Ham population these days.

[KM4BA]

I used to think it was eBay but eBay is only the manifestation of the real issue. I believe the real issue is our older Ham population. You can shop on eBay without leaving your house. Hamfests require the physical effort to go and walk around.

There is another aspect: You can no longer trust hams at hamfests. I've been looked in the eye and lied to twice recently at hamfests, one at Dayton from a vendor, one from an individual.

This was not a judgement call, this was clear intent to deceive.

Meanwhile, on ebay if that happens I at least have a chance at getting my money back, and after many, many transactions have not had a deliberate misrepresentation. If I did have an issue, I've always been able to get a refund or reduced price.

So say what you want about ebay..... I think hamfests are dieing for many reasons. Homebrewing is way down, parts are minimal at fests. Many more pseudo-dealers. Buying used gear at estate sales and selling for almost what they go for new.

I was looking for used 2m mobile to elmer gift my sister-in-law who just got her tech. Dozens of 10 year old 2m rigs at the Lawrenceville (atlanta) hamfest. Most were more than I could get a brand new mono-bander from the big three. The only exceptions were incomplete Alinco's, beat to pieces, and highly suspect. Makes no sense. No, they were not scarce or desirable rigs, just old klunkers no longer in use.

Dayton may still be the exception, and a few like Orlando, etc.

Have fun,

Alan
km4ba

[KC2ESD]

This is the third bad report I heard or seen today. One ham went last night, and in the morning was disapointed and went to Ham Radio Outlet to get a radio instead before coming back to NJ. Then I get a e_mail about the fest from another ham and it was so bad I was on the floor LOL. I my self ordered a IC-208 today from HRO for $249.00. It is on sale till the end of March so I jumped on it. It is free shipping and I'll have it next week. No need to travel to get a radio when you can get a new one from HRO and AES or get a used one from the ARRL auctions and Ebay. Ordering online spares the Nose from odors and with my big nose thats good, I have a keen sense of smell and a hair trigger gag reflex.

73 de Rick KC2ESD

[KB1KIX]

It only gets compounded over time.

Complaining about it here will only give the fest more bad publicity.

Less will even show up next time.

I still attend a bunch of smaller fests just to bump into and chat with friends and all.

Did the fest have any seminars?

I second the earlier comment - I didn't know what Timonium was, I thought it was some new element I missed on the 'ol Periodic Elements chart!

Jonathan