Huntsville Hamfest trip

[CROSSBOLT]

Big trip (for me) to Huntsville, AL for the radio amateur convention called a "hamfest" which is an excuse to buy radio parts, hear tech presentations and see what the latest gear is available. This will be the first in two years because of, you know, the thing....

Mrs. said NO WAY was I going to spend two nights in a tent so I guess the Patel motel will be my fate...reservations made two days ago.

Less than two hundred miles to that area but is a big deal for me! I am not cleared for some trips I would really like to make (she thinks 80 is too old for that...). She be worried I get out a ways and forget everything and wind up in Key West or Yuma. She forgets I tie a ball of string to the car port and just roll it up when I get curious about why I got a big ball of string... used to have a huge ball of string when I was a deep water Navigator in the Navy!

Gonna take my Mini Segway to this event because the walking distances are huge. Pictures to follow. Gonna taker her CVT belt just in case...

[Neil955i]

Happy travelling Karl.  Look forward to all the photos - assuming you remember to take 'em!

[CROSSBOLT]

Happy travelling Karl.  Look forward to all the photos - assuming you remember to take 'em!

Remember to take what? I took my pills this morning...what's this string for?

[Stig / Major Tom]

I love it Karl!
I did not know Ham was still a thing!
Do you folks talk to each other - you know - at great distances - or what.
How does the hobby work?

Was it ham radio that they were using with those "MARS" calls from Vietnam - thru a guy with a receiver on the west coast - to an American home phone?
Your mom or wife had to say "over" , when done speaking....
MARS is the term I remember...not sure it's correct.

I never made one of those calls during my tour. I saw too many guys do that and then look friggin' gut shot afterwards.
Keeping your smokes dry....and 'mail' - were the 2 most important things.....but speaking , no it was listening to someone who was back in the 'world' --- that was too much to handle.

Anyway - have a good time. Find a library if you get lost. Log onto their PC and come here - we'll keep you company until your wife comes for you.

Major Tom

[CROSSBOLT]

I love it Karl!
I did not know Ham was still a thing!
Do you folks talk to each other - you know - at great distances - or what.
How does the hobby work?

Was it ham radio that they were using with those "MARS" calls from Vietnam - thru a guy with a receiver on the west coast - to an American home phone?
Your mom or wife had to say "over" , when done speaking....
MARS is the term I remember...not sure it's correct.

I never made one of those calls during my tour. I saw too many guys do that and then look friggin' gut shot afterwards.
Keeping your smokes dry....and 'mail' - were the 2 most important things.....but speaking , no it was listening to someone who was back in the 'world' --- that was too much to handle.

Anyway - have a good time. Find a library if you get lost. Log onto their PC and come here - we'll keep you company until your wife comes for you.

Major Tom

Thanks, Tom! Good idea on the library!

Yeah, ham is definitely still a thing! There are more frequencies today available than in the late 40's when I started. More "modes" as well beyond AM and CW. People are communicating with next to no power on minimalist equipment usually home-made!

[klaviator]

When will you be in Huntsville?

[CROSSBOLT]

When will you be in Huntsville?

Friday the 20th will be checking in to some flea bag in Decatur maybe early to mid afternoon. Be rolling into Huntsville proper early Saturday morning. You want to meet up either one?

I'm plenty flexible!

[klaviator]

Maybe on Friday.  I'm leaving for Ohio on Saturday. 

[CROSSBOLT]

Maybe on Friday.  I'm leaving for Ohio on Saturday.

Works for me. I will leave early enough so we can do coffee somewhere convenient to you. Can't wait to hear your version of retired! Har, har!