AWA Hamfest NOT Exactly.

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Area31 Research Facility by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <rwstephens-at-hurontario-dot-net>

Ralph, Ed, All,
 
The annual AWA meet in Rochester is usually held in early September at the
Thruway Marriott Hotel on I-90 at the Rochester Exit 46 (I-390 North) and is
not per-se a Hamfest.  It is an annual member's meeting of the Antique Wireless
Association and unlike a Hamfest it is not a public event.  It may only be
attended by AWA members.  This includes participation in the swap meet both for
sellers and buyers. Many off duty police officers are hired by the Association
and they patrol the event very politely but effectively. Fortunately membership
in the society as well as an event admission ticket may be purchased at the
entrance of the event on site.  Other activities include interesting talks and
presentations on topics covering vintage radio, communications, television,
Edison talking machines and Victrolas, Radiolas, crystal sets, novelty radios
and similar electronics equipment and vacuum tubes or other components.  If you
want to see flawless catalin or exotic old radios, this is THE place to be. 
The event lasts for about 5 days and the swapfest starts with vigor (and a few
real hard core nutcase collectors with flashlights) very early each year on a
Wednesday morning well before evidence of the sun.  I admit that I have been
one amongst the half dozen  the 'flashlight brigade' on more than one occasion
at this show.  The swapfest is scheduled to noon Saturday but pretty much
fizzles out by Thursday evening and shrinks to less than half size by Friday. 
The focus is much more old radios, some vintage TV's (my interest) and vintage
related parts and memorabilia.  Good place to buy NOS vacuum tubes for that
vintage "All American Five" table radio, or find a mint McMurdo Silver radio,
but this is generally an expensive place to shop.  Unlike a Hamfest you won't
likely find a 4-1000 Eimac for $5.  Like Dayton is the largest Hamfest in the
world, I think Rochester AWA is the largest vintage radio meet in the world.  I
recommend it!
 
Each year the AWA sponsors a theme and there is a competition to bring in
artifacts relating to the theme for an awards competition.
 
This is a crowd that appreciates stuff like spark gap transmitters and Tesla
coils!  I met the Corums there one year after listening to their fascinating
talk on some of the experimental work of Alfred Loomis, and electronic
communications in the 1800's using atmospheric electricity.
 
The AWA also has their Electronics Communications Museum in the vicinity and
that is a worthwhile stop for newcomers, especially if you travel far from out
of state.
 
I should get a free year's AWA membership for this plug!. :)
 
Rob
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>Tesla list 
> To: <mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>tesla-at-pupman-dot-com 
> Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 10:06
> Subject: Re: Where are the big Hamfests?
>
> Original poster: "Ed Phillips by way of Terry Fritz
> <<mailto:twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
> <<mailto:evp-at-pacbell-dot-net>evp-at-pacbell-dot-net>
>
> Tesla list wrote:
> > 
> > Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz
> <<mailto:twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
> <<mailto:Parpp807-at-aol-dot-com>Parpp807-at-aol-dot-com>
> > 
> > Mike,
> > Too late for this year but we will
> > look forward to meeting you at the Dayton, Ohio
> > hamfest, mid May, 1992.
> > 
> > The other big hamfest is the AWA meet in Rochester, N.Y.
> > I have never attended. I think that is also held in the spring.
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > Ralph Zekelman
>
> Don't have the schedule in front of me, but believe the AWA annual
> meeting is August 6 or pretty close to it.  Look it up at
> <http://www.awa-dot-org>www.awa-dot-org.
>
> Ed
>