• 2025
  • Apr
  • 28

Photos from the 2025 ACARA Hamfest.

This was my first time attending this event. It was an easy drive, so I decided why not? This took place at the Athens Community Center in Athens, OH, and featured about two dozen vendors in a sheltered parking area as well as a couple in the center itself.

This one had a different selection of gear, with more test equipment and consumer gear appearing to show up at this one. Of course, a handful from TUSCO were also here, so I saw some of the same stuff (but didn’t photograph it as you and I have already seen it!)

As with the other shows this year, I’ve noted that prices are trending upwards, especially on those things that are considered cachet - Simpson 260 devices and tube testers are commanding higher prices again, even if they’re a bog-standard bottom of the barrel emissions tester. Dayton will be the tell on this one, if prices there are back to normal we know the economy is doing better.

Here’s what I saw at the show:

cdrs.jpg
CD-R…once a miracle, now just junque.
chrome.jpg
The camera doesn't do the chrome justice.
counter.jpg
An interesting passthrough counter.
desolder.jpg
A desoldering iron from the tube socket era.
dosy.jpg
An all-in-one RF test station.
gear.jpg
Some older test gear including a cap checker in the box.
player.jpg
An HP 200 series generator and an old tape player.
portable.jpg
A “Portable” multimeter.
powersupply.jpg
Once of those tube unit power supplies.
reels.jpg
An old Sony reel-to-reel tape player.
scopes.jpg
A couple of scopes. Interesting, but not needed.
sencoretester.jpg
An interesting Sencore tube tester.
stuff.jpg
Radios and an overpriced PACO tube tester.
tenma.jpg
A bad shot of some old gear. Would have taken the rightmost one if it had been in better shape.
trio.jpg
One of Trio's active panel meters.
tubetest.jpg
One of Heathkit's interesting lunchbox tube testers.
tuning.jpg
Some radio tuning gear.

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As I wandered through the show, I overheard someone saying that he’s not going back to Dayton because it’s held at Xenia now. “HARA was a dump but it was my dump! and I don’t like Xenia.” I had to lol, ok dude - I appreciate being able to walk through the parking lot and not twist my ankles, so you can stay away and I’ll buy the junk. HARA was certainly a dump, and I don’t miss the burnt mystery burgers and the dimestore nachos.

Speaking of Dayton, the Hamvention (as of this writing) is only about 3 weeks away. I’ll certainly see you there, but if you can’t attend then come back for pictures shortly after.

Photos from the 2025 TUSCO Hamfest »
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