<div>Hi Guys...just got home yesterday afternoon from the Huntsville Hamfest...Jim VE7ZO and I were asked by the Ala Contest Group to do a pair of presentations at the Hamfest...I was really impressed with this hamfest...it's venue was well chosen...it was perfect size and very convenient to both the Holiday Inn Select and the Embassy Suites hotels...the drive over was very delightful....restaurants abound in the area....and the downtown Huntsville area has a really wonderful historic district and a warm and homey feel to it...(no I don't work for the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, but I did stay at the Holiday Inn Select)
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<div>The attendance by my estimate was over 2000 people...the fact it was the ARRL National Convention had to have some positive impact as well...the major equipment manufacturers were well represented, as well as the publishers of QST and CQ magazines...the flea market was ample, and could have been a little larger in nature...the whole event was indoors and air conditioned!
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<div>For those who made the trip, I am sure that the event was enjoyed...SECC'ers seen at the Huntsville hamfest include N4GG, WB4SQ, N4NX, N5BI, KC4BVF, VE7ZO, NQ4I, K4TD, KI4MTU, WA4ILO, and I am sure others...if I forgot to mention your attendance...I apologize...too many faces and so little time.....
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<div>Now for the meat of my post to the reflector...a little brainstorming session was held, and the result was whether next year at the Huntsville Hamfest the SECC and ACG, along with TCG and other contest clubs and maybe dx clubs to have a convention within a convention...my wife suggested a couple of hospitality suites Friday evening with Pizza, Beer and Wine....we could have some workshops and presentations along with the hamfest..if the clubs were sharing the responsibility of presentations, we could have a very interesting agenda, along with some really neat workshops...the purpose of this letter is to see if there is any interest in the SECC to pursue this as a possibility...sound off ...keep your comments positive please...I am very interested in improving our relationship with some of the other clubs and forming possible alliances...they are our neighbors, and as such we need to have good relationships with them...I see this as a possible "small Dayton" type of hamfest...it could really grow into a drawing factor from the SE US all the way to Texas and maybe as far east as NC...we could sure use the social opportunity, and the forums could be of benefit to all....
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<div>So SECC members what say you to this idea???</div>
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<div>73 de Rick NQ4I</div>
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