K4IK writes:
>> Until this year there had never been forums operating independently
downtown. How long do you think it will be before AMSAT, the RTTY folks, or
the VHF/UHF weak signal folks decide they might want larger, quieter, more
comfortable facilities and the ability to run a longer forum or multiple
sessions? You postulated one scenario yourself with the DX forum moving to
Crowne Plaza on Friday afternoon (though I would bet on Saturday morning).
<<
I think those other, smaller groups don't have the issue that the contest or
DX groups had with the rooms at Hara being too small. Having the contesters
and DXers leave opens up those small rooms for their use, and for other
smaller groups. I don't see this as the beginning of the end for
Hamvention. After all, 500 to 600 people out of 24,000 don't really matter
- do they? Also, every one of those groups you mention, already has their
own activities. Granted, many of them are at night but the segmentation is
already in place.
>>Some of the exhibitors might well choose to do targeted evening events ...
I would certainly do so. However, it all becomes moot if the audience
becomes fragmented and many "specialists" do not even bother to buy a
Hamvention ticket and come out to HARA. <<
I don't see this as being all that big of a deal to the Hamvention. They
don't think we are either based on the lack of support they're giving to
DXers and Contesters.
>> If the DX, Antenna and Contest forums were scheduled one after the other
at Crowne Plaza on Saturday ... or DX on Friday morning, Antennas Friday
afternoon, Contest Saturday morning and Contest University Saturday
afternoon, ... I would find it difficult to justify the trip to Hara. <<
I think you're painting a much bleaker picture than what we really have. As
I said previously, the way I would expect it to go, is that the DX Forum
would be at the Crowne plaza Friday afternoon to precede their DX Dinner.
So, instead of going to sit in one of the tiny, smelly rooms, the DXers will
go to the hotel 4 or 5 hours sooner. The antenna and contest forum would
stay on Saturday afternoon. From what I have heard, the ideas floating
about the contest university would have that run on Thursday at the hotel.
No conflict there.
Given that the Hamvention people haven't been willing to do anything, and
given the A-rated facility at the hotel, I think this change is inevitable,
and for those attending the forums - a big improvement.
I do not think this is going to be the beginning of the end for the
Hamvention. For myself, I plan on going to Hara other than Saturday
afternoon. I actually like doing that too. I don't think there's anything
that makes this a mutually exclusive situation. Might there be those who
won't go to Hara at all? Sure. There were some this year already. What
difference did it make to Hamvention? Perhaps they sold one less overpriced
admission ticket and bus pass.
After all, we're only 4 or 5% of the total Hamvention population, so what's
the problem?
73,
Bob N5NJ
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