[Scott F.]

Hiya Guys,

Just thought I'd give you guys a bit of advanced notice. The annual Hamfest is making its appearance in Collinsville on Sat Jan 22nd.

Unfortunately the local ARRL website isn't up  so I can't confirm where it's at (exactly) but they usually have it at the Holiday Inn over by Deadfish's house (PARTY!!!).

If you haven't been there before, these are the Ham radio operators. Tons of them are hard core tube guys. Their swap meets (used to) have tons of tubes. Don't plan on finding any 45's or 300b's for $5 or anything like that but they usually have a nice selection of small signal and a few power tubes that are pretty affordable. No doubt you'll even find pieces parts too (vintage trannies, caps, resistors stuff like that).

Its been a lot of years since I've gone but I'm planning on going this time just to see what they've got. I wouldn't mind picking up some NOS small signal tubes for a couple of projects that I've go on the bench.

Heres the link to the ARRL website that shows the Hamfest schedule;

http://www2.arrl.org/hamfests.html?dosel=1&subtype=section&selsect=MO

For you AC'ers checking out this post who are into tubes, that same ARRL site is searchable for Hamfests in your area.

Anybody wanna go?

[Bill Baker]

Hey there Scott,
  Funny you should mention this as I just found out my grandfather was just visiting one of his old time friends literally up the street from my house. He was telling me how this person has about 600 sq. ft. dedicated to the building and operating of Ham radios.
 He use to do all the radio work in this town for fire stations and such.
 Anyway, to make a long story short, he is out of it now but has two large rooms full of radios, test equipment and tubes!!! Boxes and boxes of stuff. Actually 68 years worth of collecting.
 Needless to say, My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when he (my grandfather) was telling about it.
 I'll keep you posted!!