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Dayton
2001 |
DAYTON HAMVENTION HOSTS BUOYANT CROWD
Rain
on the opening day of the 50th Dayton Hamvention did not deter the crowd
from having a good time. Show-priced bargains offered by some dealers
enhanced the enjoyment, and the weather improved immensely on Saturday
and Sunday.
General Chairman Jim Graver, KB8PSO, said Hamvention officials believe that between 27,000 and 28,000 turned out for this year's show--nearly the same number as last year. Graver said he was happy to see a good crowd despite higher gasoline prices and Friday's rain.
Unlike past Hamventions, major manufacturers had comparatively little new to offer this year. Among the most noticeable items were: The new Kenwood TH-F6A compact triband hand-held FM VHF transceiver with wideband receive including HF; Ten-Tec's long-awaited 6 and 2-meter all-mode transceiver, the Model 526 "6N2"--the Tennessee company's first factory-built VHF radio; Yaesu's MD-200 desk mike "for elite-class Amateur Radio operators;" and Alpha Power's Alpha 6/2 maximum legal power VHF amplifier--the first amp produced under the company's new management and ownership.
During the ARRL Forum Saturday, ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, said Amateur Radio is "the best product that I have in my repertoire of things to sell." Haynie called upon those on hand to think about "the product" that is Amateur Radio and how they can share the fun with others.
"I'm asking you to talk to your neighbour, I'm asking you to talk to your brother, your sister, your city council, your mayor, your congressman (MP), and tell 'em about your product, which is Amateur Radio," Haynie exhorted.
Saturday morning's AMSAT forum included a telephone visit with "space tourist" Dennis Tito, KG6FZX. Tito told the gathering that Amateur Radio provided a great boost to his recent visit to the International Space Station. "The opportunity to do a phone patch five days in a row was a very important part of my flight, and I looked forward to it every day," he said. A planned ham radio contact with the ISS crew from the Hamvention did not work out, however. In addition to handling the Tito interview, Roy Neal, K6DUE, of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program, also chatted with astronaut Janice Voss, KC5BTK.
Graver said there are no current plans for Hamvention to move from
the venerable Hara Arena. Dayton Hamvention's contract to use Hara runs
through
2003.
See related Hamvention Story on
Ham's Death Installing Antenna