• 2022
  • Jul
  • 5

Columbus, Ohio Hamfest 2022

The Columbus, Ohio Hamfest is happening this year on August 6th, same location as last year. It’s usually pretty good, and I’ve always pulled an excellent deal or two out of there.

When: August 6th, 2022. 8AM to 1PM or so
Where: Aladdin Shrine Temple - 1801 Gateway Circle, Grove City OH 43213

Homepage https://aladdinshrine.org/hamfest/
ARRL Ohio Listings http://arrl-ohio.org/hamfests.html

  • 2022
  • Jul
  • 4

Unusual and interesting light sensors

There used to be a place in Dayton, Ohio called Mendelsons. This was a giant surplus house in one of the old Delco buildings on 1st street, near where the current Dayton Dragons field is. In 2021, the store did it’s final sale and closed.

There were several bulk bidders, including a place in Mansfield, Ohio called ESL Surplus. One of the things in the lot they bought was these unique little sensors. I had purchased a number of these years ago from Mendelsons, and I always wanted to get some more - unfortunately, with the world being afraid to open their door for two years, that didn’t happen. When the store went out of business, I figured that was it.

esl.jpg

Fortunately, I had the chance to get more this past weekend.

solarsensor.jpg

These are tiny solar cells embedded in a plastic bubble, with an output of about 0.5V each - just enough to amplify and detect. I have no idea who made them, or when they were made - the discolored lens suggests they’ve been around for a while, quite possibly the 1970s. There’s no marks or other ID on the plastic housing - perhaps these were made to order and never used?

I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with these devices, but they go in my parts stash as, at minimum, an unusual piece of technology from years past.

ESL Computers (and surplus) URL removed
Mendelsons (archive) https://web.archive. … 30/https://meci.com/

ESL does not appear to exist at this point. Their website is now a malware pot.