- 2025
- May
- 9
The Dayton Hamvention is happening in a week.
Break open mister piggy because it’s almost time for the Dayton Hamvention. You still have time to get tickets at a discount rate, but they’re being held will-call at the ticket booth on site.
Times are:
Friday, May 16th - 9A to 5P <--- Probably the best day to go.
Saturday, May 17th - 9A to 5P
Sunday, May 18th - 9A to 1P <--- Vendors leave, but some have free stuff!
I'll have pictures posted as soon as I can get them processed - probably the following week.
Tickets can be purchased online at: https://hamvention.org/purchase-tickets/
See you there!
- 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:
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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.
- 2025
- Apr
- 28
Photos from the 2025 TUSCO Hamfest
This is a small show at the Tuscarawas County fairgrounds in Dover, Ohio. I’ve been attending since 2023, when they reopened after the country decided that they needed to not do anything for a few years.
This show seems to attract a decent crowd of vendors, and a decent crowd of attendees. I took home a few books and odds ‘n ends from this one, which is exactly what I expected.
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Prices generally seem to be heading North this year, so get it while the getting is good. I did see some things that were not very reasonably priced - they would have been fine 10 years ago, but with technology changes things that were portable then are obsolete now.
Not a whole lot else to say about this one, so enjoy the photos - ACARA’s photos are coming up next.
- 2025
- Apr
- 9
Photos from the 69th annual CFARC hamfest.
This year’s show seemed to be pretty crowded. Prices were still good, but were certainly rising - people’s enthusiasm for a better economy is starting to show. The flood of CBs has started to slow down, and some older radio sets seem to have dropped in price quite a bit. Other than that, it was a good mix of old and new, and worth the drive.
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This year, we even made it over to what was, up until a week before, the last freestanding Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips shop in the world. It was just like I remember from the 80s. This is going to be a regular stop when we are in town!
Next two shows are TUSCO in Dover, Ohio, and then ACARA in Athens, Ohio - both back to back on the 26th and 27th of April. After that, it’s Dayton!
See you there!
- 2025
- Apr
- 2
The 69th Annual CFARC Hamfest is this weekend.
This Saturday marks the sixty-ninth Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club Hamfest.
Located in the Emidio & Sons Party Center at 48 East Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, this show has always been pleasantly surprising in the stuff that shows up for sale. It even includes a well stocked “pay what you want” table where people can leave donations and, of course, pay what they want!
If you’re into this kind of thing, and are close by, this is a good show to attend. It’s Saturday, April 5th, from 8AM to about 1PM, and admission is $8. Assuming nothing gets in the way, I’ll have plenty of pictures for you soon.
Promo flyer is located here: https://www.cfarc-ha … fest.org/hamfest.php
See you there!
- 2025
- Feb
- 26
The Dayton Hamvention is only about 11 weeks away!
You have just a few more days to get your early boar price ticket…regular price starts March 1.
$26 gets you in the door all three days, and you can have them mailed right to your door. You can get your ticket at this link!
See you there!
- 2025
- Jan
- 20
The SCARF 2025 hamfest in Shade, Ohio.
This is my second year going to this show. It’s a small show, and was a bit smaller than last year - probably due to the fact that it was snowing like crazy when we left, and that probably kept some people away. Regardless, it still had that nice cozy feeling to it, and there was plenty to see for a small show. I picked up a set of Heathkit test equipment, mostly for one of the pieces (but the whole set was cheap!) and my fellow show-goer picked up a nice Dell i7 4th micro machine for his home entertainment center.
Here’s what I saw that was interesting at the show:
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Not a lot of pictures because of the size of the show. This year’s theme seems to be starting out with AM CB stuff again, much like last year - it’s literally everywhere, everything from big base stations to modern car portables. That’s probably going to be like PC compatible stuff and videotape was some years ago - things changed, and people are cleaning out until it’s gone.
There’s a couple of shows in February and March, but the next one I’ll probably hit is the Cuyahoga Falls show in April. That gives me some time to go through the things I have. It’s “fix and keep” or “get rid of” time, and having a couple of months with no new stuff coming in will help.
See you at the hamfest!
- 2025
- Jan
- 3
The Sunday Creek Amateur Radio Federation Hamfest - January 19th
The first show of the season is a small hamfest in Shade, Ohio - a little town about 90 minutes south of Columbus. Last year was the first time I attended this one, and I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t big, but had a couple dozen vendors, with a nice, warm “get out of the cold and get cozy” feeling to the place. It attracted quite a few people, and I walked out with a few decent deals. I’m looking forward to this one.
There is a chance of snow throughout the day, so take your time if you go.
See you there!
Sunday Creek Amateur Radio Federation Hamfest
Shade Community Center
2380 Old U.S. 33
Shade, OH 45776
January 19
8A-2P
Admission $6
http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/sunday-creek-amateur-radio-federation-hamfest-4
- 2024
- Dec
- 28
It’s that time of year - get your Dayton Hamvention tickets early!
Tickets for the Dayton Hamvention are currently on sale at the early boar price of $26 - this is good until March 1st, at which point they’ll go to the normal $30.
You can order online for convenience, and doing so now allows plenty of time for the postal service to deliver them to you - especially if you’re not in the USA.
See you there!
Tickets: https://hamvention.org/purchase-tickets/
- 2024
- Dec
- 22
A look back at 2024’s hamfest and shows.
As we say goodbye to 2024, I took a look at the shows I attended - there were quite a few of them this year, and it surprises me how many of them are in Ohio and the surrounding area. Had time allowed, I could have attended more, but one a month (or thereabouts) is a good schedule. To wrap the year up, here’s a link to all of the pictures from these shows.
I’m looking forward to the coming year’s schedule - you can find that here.
I’ll see you at the show!
Sunday Creek Amateur Radio Federation Hamfest
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … ek-arf-hamfest-2024/
Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club Hamfest
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … ahoga-falls-hamfest/
TUSCO ARC Hamfest
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … 4-tusco-arc-hamfest/
Dayton Hamvention
Friday photos: https://wereboar.com … 24-fridays-pictures/
Saturday photos: https://wereboar.com … -saturdays-pictures/
Sunday photos: https://wereboar.com … 24-sundays-pictures/
Breezeshooter’s Hamfest
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … ooters-2024-hamfest/
Columbus (OH) Hamfest
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … lumbus-2024-hamfest/
Johnstown Swapper’s Day
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … nstown-swappers-day/
Findlay Radio Club Hamfest
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … o-club-2024-hamfest/
The Cleveland Hamfest and Computer Show
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … 4-cleveland-hamfest/
The Scioto Valley Amateur Radio Club Hamfest
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … o-club-hamfest-2024/
MARC Hamfest
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … e-marc-2024-hamfest/
Fort Wayne Hamfest
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … -fort-wayne-hamfest/
Scott Antique Market - November
Event photos: https://wereboar.com … cott-antique-market/