Another very well attended Ham fest this year.

Wanting to arrive early and ‘browse’ (polite word for rummaging through stuff!) the boot sales outside the event hall/s didn’t disappoint. Could have spent a fortune on equipment you understand (better half used a rather less endearing term for it) however resisted. Everything from old radio gear (ex-army) to pcb boards etc. However one noteworthy point; upon searching for good value for money coax I have to say I was disappointed compared to the recent Newbury rally. Quite expensive off the drum prices!

Next stop antenna masts. I wanted to check out the proposed installation for the shack QTH.
Total Mast Solutions offered some interesting ideas for masts in small spaces or in other words stealth possibilities. Demo van was fun….hydraulic pump action through the roof of a VW camper on a par with TV location crews I reckon?

So into the main hall/s (well after coffee first early start up at 4am!). Tried to work systematically around in an orderly fashion however that soon went out the window as I switched to ‘what every caught my eye mode’.
Usual big guns out in all their new equipment splendour should you happen to have circa the odd £10k spare! Namely Kenwood, ICOM etc. I went straight to Yaesu who were smaller and appeared to be taking time to talk to hams on the floor circling the equipment (like sharks I have to add). Showcasing their FTDX 9000D of course way beyond little me and apparently does everything including the housework ….I was however heartened by the reps very growing report on the good old 450D which will be my main shack HF radio. Of course came away with armfuls of literature and the obligatory bag and pen.

Then on to Antennas as you know of particular interest to me. I found Sandpiper Antennas and Marc Foster (no relation to the other Mark Foster whom I also know well from my GB swimming connections!) an interesting browse. Spent time talking to him about bespoke antenna designs, application and would say that it seems bespoke manufacture is on the up. Some good advice about standard 2m/70cms home base set up and on to others for which I spent at least an hour browsing all. These including InnoVAntennas, Mookraker, LAM etc and the like, except the presence of American sales people on the Inno stand sort of through me a bit. Impressive antenna though if like me you have a spare 2 acre plot. One for John M0HFH would have been a captivating discussion with a small ‘home grown’ stand called G4TPH Mag Loop antennas (one on show he had made). Personally John didn’t think the loop (very flimsy) wasn’t a patch on the cobweb design!! Perhaps we ought to really think about developing that aspect of the club to go to these kinds of events??. Anyway met two guys an M6 like me and a 2EO (soon to be me I hope) both from local neighbouring clubs who were interested in him coming to give a talk and demonstrate his system/s – think they intended buying a kit but for best part of £80 we could make it ourselves (couldn’t we John) and by his (the owner) own admission that paid for mostly his time!!.

Paul would have liked to browse the electronics and components stands of which there were many. As I don’t really have an application as yet to solve or contemplate building I sort of skirted them but was stopped by a rather useful application to stream live radio feed to your TV!! Ha …I’ll never get permission for that but Paul might! Disappointed that I didn’t really see any bargain price MFJ analysers for sale – even with show price still dearer than ebay! Plenty buying though.

Couldn’t really depart the show or the main hall without passing by the RSGB stalls although I have to say the stands didn’t really do it for me. Not much on them to draw you in!! Would have liked to have seen more made of the RSGB training stand apart from the two reps who were just sat on an empty desk with Exam Board registration forms. Didn’t really get time to see all the committees there but I did visit the RAYNET group and found that aspect of radio work interesting. I would on a personal level like to look into that myself. Got some contacts so that was useful.

Final stop before being drawn back to the car boot sales was the bring and buy. More buying than bringing! Again rather captivating and a bit like ebay but or real! Was tempted by an old IOCM think it was a 717 or something of that description wanted £250-330 not sure but it had been smoked (think owner confused it with a kipper). Resisted as always and anyway just soaked up the atmosphere of being amongst the hagglers for that and moved back to the car boot and pondered a final whip around the hall but by then getting very busy.

Departed with a new mobile rubber duck antenna (yes I know last of the big spenders!!) for the wouxun …well had to have something and armfuls of magazines and sales literature for us to read at club. Very nearly invested in a duel band mobile antenna for the landy but….as Andrew knows I am still contemplating the set up for that so no having seen any real mounts that can take a decent loading decide against at the show. Watch that space though. Also disappointed I suppose that I didn’t have more ‘bits’ (perhaps a couple of dozen pl259s, BNC’s and the odd length of RG213) but when there isn’t a need or application (just yet) isn’t that just hording!! Bit disappointed that Clarkes and others who I met at Newbury weren’t there but guess wrong part of the country. However enjoyable day out and very glad I went and will go again to others if not to report back to club.

PS. I can always make up for the not having horded stuff this Sunday at the Newbury landy fair!!

Mark Beasley
M6KMJ