Another Hamvention has come and gone, and MARCO was there. Keith N3IM, Chip N5RTF and Bruce KM2L alternated between staffing the booth and wandering around the show.
Dayton's infamous weather did not completely materialize. Friday was a beautiful day with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70's. On Saturday it rained intermittently, but breaks in the showers allowed browsing out in the flea market. Sunday was cool (OK, cold) but sunny.
We had plenty of traffic at the MARCO display, and distributed countless copies of Aether, MARCO's Newsletter as well as membership applications. Friends and members saying “Hello” included Roger W8CRK, Rob WA3IHV, “Doc” W4TX (a founding member of MARCO), Howard VE3AXD, Stu WA9PZL, Carl WA3ZZU, Ramon YV5EED, Steve YV5DTA, Yoshi JH1URT, Matt KD8HMX and former member Bob W8YD. Apologies to the many whose names and calls escaped me.
Attendance did not appear to suffer from the lax economy or influenza scare, and those who attended were prepared to buy. Keith went home with two new Yaesu radios, a VX-8R and an FT-897. Chip took away a Begali Graciela key and a bunch of odds and ends. Me – I have college tuition to pay.
There was an abundance of new toys to look at. Here are a few random observations...
On the D-STAR front, DV dongle is a device that plugs into your computer and lets you communicate via D-STAR without having to use a radio.
FlexRadio brought out the new Flex-3000. It is small enough to fit in a suitcase and $1200 less than a Flex-5000. The major trade-offs are a single antenna connector instead of two, slightly less robust front end, and no option for a second receiver. Very cool!
Tokyo Hy-Power has two new amplifiers, a 600 watt model and a 45 watt model for frustrated QRPers.
MicroHAM introduced Station Master Deluxe, an integrated station interface for those who run multiple radios and multiple antennas.
A Japanese company called Luso displayed a 168-foot self-supporting crank up tower. It was retracted and stowed on a flat bed trailer in the back of the East Hall. It can be yours for $41,000 plus some assembly...
For more humble antenna projects, The Wireman introduced the “Hot Rope.” This antenna rope is covered with a tinned copper braid. String up the rope, solder a wire to the braid, and you are in business.
Super Antennas offer a variety of portable Yagis and dipoles that break down for transportation in a bag.
Ten-Tec brought out a high-power cross needle tuner/wattmeter, the 238C.
You can count on MFJ to roll out a new product or two for Hamvention. This year's new box is a 75-amp switching power supply.
DX Engineering introduced a family of hexagonal wire beam antennas. They are calling them Hexx Beams (One more “X” and they can advertise on porn sites...). Mike Traffie, who developed and sells the original Hex Beam, exhibited at the show as well. He built the antenna that I am using. He's a nice fellow, and it is a great product.
Speaking of nice fellows, Piero Begali was back and as busy as ever with his line up of museum-quality CW paddles. The Graciela model has been discontinued, and he has introduced seven new products including a smaller “Stealth” key, an upright paddle, and a marvelously complex bug.
Next year MARCO will hold its membership meeting in conjunction with Hamvention. Here's hoping that we see you there.
No comments:
Post a Comment