"Test-it" table at hamfests

[Hans13]

Name calling already. Very classy.

I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to single someone out. I was speaking generally. It is not my norm to speak so freely on this forum. If you were offended, I sincerely apologize.

ETA: However, I do stand my my opinion that someone who would have a problem with a tip jar is a self-entitled person.

 

[prcguy]

I think the people who would complain about tipping or paying a small fee for services like a radio check out with an expensive service monitor are the same kind of person that would expect to get a MARS mod done for free, or have someone wire up a microphone for free at a ham fest. The ham community is full of very cheap and stingy folks who constantly complain about the price of everything and a common statement they make is "why should I pay you X$ for that when I could build it for $5. BTW, these are the people who have never built anything because they are too cheap to buy some solder.

 

[zz0468]

I wouldn't complain about it, but I wouldn't (and don't) put a tip jar out when I test things for people. I don't charge for my time when helping, and I don't charge for the parts I might use on their behalf unless I have serious money invested in it.

When I was a young ham, a number of older guys took me under their wing and helped me learn stuff, helped me acquire stuff, and none of them ever expected anything other than a thank you.

I believe in paying it forward, and think one of the bright spots of ham radio is doing things for the hobby, not for the money. I have a job for that.

Everyone else is entitled to act on their own beliefs.

 

[prcguy]

If I found a rare and expensive radio that supposedly worked perfect at a hamfest and you had a service monitor and could verify it really does work perfect, I would gladly pay $20 for a few minutes of time that might save me from making an expensive mistake. Checking out a simple 2m handheld would be worth much less but I would still offer a few $ for the effort even if it was offered for free.

I wouldn't complain about it, but I wouldn't (and don't) put a tip jar out when I test things for people. I don't charge for my time when helping, and I don't charge for the parts I might use on their behalf unless I have serious money invested in it.

When I was a young ham, a number of older guys took me under their wing and helped me learn stuff, helped me acquire stuff, and none of them ever expected anything other than a thank you.

I believe in paying it forward, and think one of the bright spots of ham radio is doing things for the hobby, not for the money. I have a job for that.

Everyone else is entitled to act on their own beliefs.

 

[Hans13]

I wouldn't complain about it, but I wouldn't (and don't) put a tip jar out when I test things for people. I don't charge for my time when helping, and I don't charge for the parts I might use on their behalf unless I have serious money invested in it.

When I was a young ham, a number of older guys took me under their wing and helped me learn stuff, helped me acquire stuff, and none of them ever expected anything other than a thank you.

I believe in paying it forward, and think one of the bright spots of ham radio is doing things for the hobby, not for the money. I have a job for that.

Everyone else is entitled to act on their own beliefs.

That's very admirable and I, too, tend to try to pay it forward in all areas of my life. Thank you for doing so.

 

[RichardW9RAC]

How many hamfests have a table at the event where attendees can check out the equipment they've purchased or are about to purchase?

At the Fort Wayne Hamfest this past weekend, there was a table near the announcer's platform for doing basic check-out. The table had 120 VAC power, 12 VDC power, a wattmeter with dummy load, and a volt meter. The table was busy most of the day on Saturday with folks dropping by to for a quick check of their purchases.

Do you think this is a good idea? What sort of tests would you expect to be able to do? Do you see potential pit-falls with this idea?

Thanks for your input.

Been to that fest many times........ great idea. 73 Rich

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

Reading the various comments about HamFest experiences ---- Smiles !

And I certainly agree with W9BU that a testing table is a wonderful thing for any 'Fest,' as I will get to in a sec.

I have not been to such carnivals in many years (the last one was in Maryland- up at the State Fair grounds at Towson- you East Coast fellows remember that one ?- or how about the ones at Gaithersburg ??)

As I recall, the promoters of the "Fests' had a table or two devoted to the free testing of equipment for potential buyers- they didn't charge a thing to check out a radio. Personally I would never buy a big ticket item at such a venue- but it was always a lot of fun walking thru acres of goodies, picking up baubles here and there (like N connectors, Motorola low band stainless steel whip springs, etc. etc.- and the likes.)
One of the advantages I and my female friend(s) had at these Meets was our "Bimbo Factor." All (well, most of) the males selling stuff assumed we knew nothing about anything electrical more sophisticated than hair dyers- so it was easy to probe all the details out of them without sounding like know-it-alls, and without any ego conflicts.
Now I didn't, but my good friend was not beneath her cute certain smiles or a word or two with her French accent to really lower a price, and then seal a deal.

So in those days it was nothing to return home from such forays with a car full off goodies- play toys for evenings on end.

I was never 'burn'd' in a deal (there's not much deception factor in a antenna base spring) but my friend almost was-- but only once, as I recall experiences.
She had bought a handheld- "guaranteed to be in perfect working order"-
So, she marched it over to the Check Out Guys- who proceed'd to power it up for her and- pronounced it a complete piece of *#@#* !

Ah !, what followed !
French can be such a beautiful, expressive- poignant!- way to convey a tonne of emotions in the most powerful of fashions !-
And leave it to a French woman to be all emotions when "taken"

........... She got every cent of her money back.

Merry Christmas !

Lauri

 

[Hans13]

Now I didn't, but my good friend was not beneath her cute certain smiles or a word or two with her French accent to really lower a price, and then seal a deal.

If I had the skills and looks, I'd not be above using that haggling tool. Sadly, if I tried it, I'd end up with at least a black eye and no discount to show for the effort. They would probably even throw me out of the venue. I don't look as pretty in a dress these days.

Merry Christmas.

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

Ah ! the discontinuity of the gender gap ! lol

....................... and a Happy New Year. Hans !

Lauri

 

[Hans13]

I ain't complaining about the discontinuity. I rather enjoy beautiful sights.

Happy New Year!

 

[N5TWB]

The organizers of the Green Country Hamfest in NE Oklahoma have arranged for a testing table with a service monitor and a qualified technician to staff the table for the Friday night thru Saturday afternoon event. The table is provided free to the technician and the organizers also provide a motel room for his overnight stay. To my knowledge, there is no charge or gratuity expected as the admission fees are used to fund the provided motel room.

 

[escortz28]

I've been a vendor at the Fort Wayne Hamfest for many years. The equipment checkout table has been quite useful as a seller. Potential purchasers have been able to confirm basic operation of radios and test equipment which led to sales at asking prices. Also, on a couple of occasions, an issue was uncovered that I was not aware of. This enabled me to note as such on the units and I was still able to sell albeit at lower $ but to satisfied customers. I will generally accompany the potential purchaser to the checkout table, connect the unit, demonstrate what they want to see and then I allow them to operate. Most hamfests I sell at (IN-MI-OH-PA) offer a little more than just access to power.

For any service though beyond the most basic (electrical power, dummy load, watt meter) I would have some concerns:

• Skills, expertise, and experiences of the individual offering the service
  • Can they properly interpret the data?
  • Are they able to effectively communicate?
• Quality of their test equipment
  • Quality test equipment vs. the inexpensive test equipment from China available on Amazon
  • Is it clean in appearance, well taken care of?
• Calibration of equipment a tricky issue
  • Depending upon the test equipment, need some level of confidence
  • Calibration only means as of the date of the calibration the test equipment met its specifications

As a purchaser of any item of significance, always ask and obtain the contact information of your seller. Note their table location. If purchasing from a company, ask and obtain their return policy. Ask if the seller has an eBay store – check their rating on your mobile phone. Buyers – perform your due diligence before you hand over your money.

 

[6079smithw]

As with some other folks here, I'm OK with the "tip jar" if it's 100% voluntary and plainly designated where the proceeds are going: club repeater/equipment upkeep, etc.
Now if you feel that someone's service is above and beyond the call, the offer of a few bottles or cans to "take home and recycle" (under the condition the recipient has to be sure they are empty first!) doesn't appear to be poor etiquette IMHO... just sayin'...

Off to Vegas and CES, L8tr...

 

[6079smithw]

If I had the skills and looks, I'd not be above using that haggling tool. Sadly, if I tried it, I'd end up with at least a black eye and no discount to show for the effort. They would probably even throw me out of the venue. I don't look as pretty in a dress these days.

Merry Christmas.

Agreed... Mine would be well-adapted to little more than scaring off buyers...

 

[6079smithw]

Reading the various comments about HamFest experiences ---- Ah !, what followed !
French can be such a beautiful, expressive- poignant!- way to convey a tonne of emotions in the most powerful of fashions!

After I read that, I was on my way to NAPA for a spare set of wiper blades and the scenes from "A Fish Called Wanda" popped into my head: Jamie Lee Curtis: "Do you speak Italian?" Almost hit the curb laughing! I know, a bit off thread, but Thanks for making my morning!

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

A Big Smile 6079

She is my lifelong friend, and a real hoot on any 'expedition,' hamfests and otherwise.
.......a PhD. physicist, and a whiz if you want anything done with particle accelerators. When we have gone to any type of 'fests together, she garners all the attention- her nickname -Barbi. isn't misplaced.

(BTW, I haven't seen that movie in ages- but now its on my '123Movies' list )

Lauri