Orlando FL Hamcation February 12, 13, 14,

The Orlando Hamcation is only a couple weeks away. It will be
held from February 12 thru February 14, but much of the activity
starts on Thursday, February 11, when most of the tailgaters
set up. If you have not made your plans to attend, you need to
do so now. Florida is the place to be in February!

Info can be found at
http://hamcation.com/default.html
There is a lot of information at this web site, so be certain
to check all of the special areas.

At the present time, there are some tables still available in the
swap building. Having a table inside the building, instead of
outside in the tailgate area, protects you (and your equipment)
from the weather, and only costs $10 more for the entire weekend.
Please e-mail hamcation@aol.com to make reservations or get
more information.

Thanks.

73,

Ken, W8EK

Ken Simpson
E-mail to W8EK@FLHam.net or W8EK@arrl.net
Voice Phone (352) 732-8400

 

Updated Orlando Hamcation Info

Here is some updated information about the Orlando Hamcation:

At the present time, there are a few tables still available in
the swap building. All of the wall spaces and end caps have been
taken. If you want more than one table together, get your
reservation in NOW. Having a table inside the building, instead
of outside in the tailgate area, protects you (and your equipment)
from the weather, and only costs $10 more for the entire weekend.
Please e-mail hamcation@aol.com to make reservations or get
more information.

Everyone knows that there are many other activities in the central
Florida area, so be certain to bring the XYL. Hamcation will also
have YL activities, and of course many are now hams, so will enjoy
Hamcation as well. The bottom line is "Bring the entire family."

Advance registrations are running considerably ahead of past years,
so this promises to be another large (10,000 plus hams) hamfest.
To put it another way, don't stay home because you think attendance
might be down due to the economy. It does not look that way.

See you there!

Thanks.

73,

Ken, W8EK

Ken Simpson
E-mail to W8EK@FLHam.net or W8EK@arrl.net
Voice Phone (352) 732-8400

 

Do you know if they are doing the bring and buy this year?? I couldn't find any info on the Hamcation website....

 

The commercial exhibits, swap building and tailgate will be as it has
been in the past.

The person who ran the "bring and buy" in past years is not able to do
it this year, so there will not be any this year.

I hope to see you there.

Thanks.

73,

Ken, W8EK

 

Thanks Ken......

I will see you there 73's

 

Cant wait!

 

Anyone know if we can pitch a tent or two and stay over on Friday night?

 

In regards to pitching a tent, the answer is that there will be many
tent and tent like structures in the tailgate section. Calling some
of these a tent might be a stretch, as some are more like canopies
covering the equipment. Of course that is also a reason to go inside
in the swap building, if you are concerned about the weather.

As far as staying in the tent on Friday night, I think that comes under
the RV guidelines. This is only my opinion, but I think it is accurate.
My understanding is that the fairgrounds (and not Hamcation) enforces
that. For clarification, you might send an e-mail to
hamcation@aol.com.

I hope to see you there.

Thanks.

73,

Ken, W8EK

 

Vendors

This is my first time at Hamcation. Does anyone know if the vendors have special deals for the hamfest? I'm looking forward to it. Thanks and 73. Joe, WB0MMZ

 

Yes, the vendors will have special deals. That is one of the reasons to
go to a big hamfest such as Hamcation! There will be more ham vendors
in one place than most any other time and place (the only exception
being at Dayton Hamvention). They will be competing with one another,
so that means better deals for the average ham.

In addition, all of the major ham manufacturers will be there. I think it
is safe to say that some of them will be introducing new equipment at
Hamcation, and you probably will be able to get your hands on it, and
actually see and touch it. I say "probably" because if you only come
on Saturday, there will be a tremendous crowd, and it may be hard to
get to some of it. So come for the entire long weekend.

I will put it another way -- there is lots to see and do. The problem
is being able to do it all in the time available.

If you are from "up north" don't forget that the Florida weather will be
much better. The present long range weather forecast shows Hamcation
being in the upper 60's for a high, and upper 40's/low 50's for a low, with
lots of sunshine. That is a bit cooler than some years, so bring a light
jacket. Of course it is safe to say that it is better than "up north."

If anyone has other questions, you can e-mail me at W8EK@FLHam.net.
If you have questions about Hamcation itself, reservations, etc. then it
is best to e-mail hamcation@aol.com.

I hope to see you at Hamcation.

Thanks.

73,

Ken, W8EK

 

Hamcation

Thanks Ken
I will be arriving Thursday night and will be there when the doors open. I am really looking forwRd to it. I will be there Saturday as well. Going to the Daytona 500 on Sunday. See you there. 73, Joe. WB0MMZ.

 

I'm walking out the door in about an hour or so for the 1.5 hour drive to Orlando so see you all there!! Gonna be rainy today, but will stay inside and look for all the tailgating stuff Saturday when the weather is supposed to be better.

............Bob

 

What a dedicated group we were, standing in the rain @ the entrance gate @ 12:00, 12:01..etc, until some show person remembers "oh, there must be an event today, I'll go see what all these people at the gate want.....

 

It was just a light drizzle when I got here about 1PM but a bit later began to pour. Nice day to keep inside and check the commercial vendors, not a day to be outside. Tomorrow is supposed to be partly cloudy so should be good for tailgating!!

Picked up a new screwdriver antenna. My old High Sierra was destroyed when the driver side rear tire, where my antenna was mounted, decided to let the tread come apart and slam the antenna (not to mention nearly destroying the wheel well!).

Ssshhh!! No one tell the XYL I picked up a new Icom ID-880H mobile, really small and compact, for my car!! Also picked up a neat little suction cup mount for the remote head. I hope it works . . .

..........Bob <---------wishing you all were here!!

 

Which one did you get??? I have the Little Tarheel II on my car and I plan to ground mount a Tarheel A-300 in my yard......