Timonium Ham & Computer Fest

[Tommahawk]

Since I haven't found a area on RadioReference for announcements of Communications related events I guess I will post this here..... *Moderators if there isn't a category for events could you please create one?*

The Greater Baltimore Hamboree & Computerfest will be held on March 28th & 29th at the Maryland State Fairgrounds located off of Exit 17 off of Interstate 83 in Timonium Maryland. This is billed as one of the largest hamfests on the East Coast.

Come on out and have some fun and visit with other hammies and communication enthusiasts.

More information is available at Greater Baltimore Hamboree & Computerfest

 

[James04TJ]

I will be there. I plan to sit for my extra exam on Sunday. I have not been to this show since the mid to late 90's. From what I understand it has become MUCH smaller since then.

 

[scansomd]

I will be there too. Yes, it is smaller than previously, but still the best thing in the tri-state area.

I will be there. I plan to sit for my extra exam on Sunday. I have not been to this show since the mid to late 90's. From what I understand it has become MUCH smaller since then.

 

[kb2vxa]

Timonium, a highly radio active man made element discovered at Timtron Laboratories on New Years Eve 1970, the night the Slime-O-Tron exploded. (Little inside 75M AM joke there.) 83 off the Beltway will get you there, you'll see the fairgrounds on the right just before Pandemonium Road, make a right, another right, backtrack half a mile and you're there. Hams used to come from all over the world, I don't know if they still do since it shrank and became mostly a computerfest but it's still one of the best in the East. Oh and if they can't hear you just BARC a little louder, there's a nice echo in the Cow Pallace.

 

[joe_disco_electronics]

Wa1 H Yell R!

 

[kb2vxa]

That's Henry, Yell AAARRR AKA W1OB Hiram the old buzzard of Buzzards Bay. Ah yes, the loving father and his child...

Oh BTW Joe, I was looking for the lyrics to his theme song, something about everything is yellow by The Traveling Wilburys, couldn't find it but I came up with something else of interest.
Traveling Wilburys - Tweeter And The Monkey Man lyrics

 

[Paulsan]

I'm there.

 

[ka3jjz]

Timonium, a highly radio active man made element discovered at Timtron Laboratories on New Years Eve 1970, the night the Slime-O-Tron exploded. (Little inside 75M AM joke there.) 83 off the Beltway will get you there, you'll see the fairgrounds on the right just before Pandemonium Road, make a right, another right, backtrack half a mile and you're there. Hams used to come from all over the world, I don't know if they still do since it shrank and became mostly a computerfest but it's still one of the best in the East. Oh and if they can't hear you just BARC a little louder, there's a nice echo in the Cow Pallace.

Actually that would be Padonia Road, not Pandemonium Road (although I agree that with the traffic sometimes it gets that way). Please, for the sake of the out of state folks, don't mess up the directions. 73 Mike

 

[AlmostHandy]

Is that a giant triode for an amp?

 

[KC2GVX]

Hmm, I might go. Google Maps shows a 3 hour drive from Toms River, NJ. Hotel rooms seem pricey in that area, and not sure if it is safe to stay inside Baltimore proper.

 

[Tommahawk]

Hmm, I might go. Google Maps shows a 3 hour drive from Toms River, NJ. Hotel rooms seem pricey in that area, and not sure if it is safe to stay inside Baltimore proper.

Never had a problem at all at any establishment in the Baltimore area. Come on you are coming from Tom's River New Jersey, the home of concrete shoes!!! Make no mistake, this hamfest isn't for the weak hearted. Be prepared to witness a spectacular show.

Make a weekend of it, bring the kids to Inner Harbor. You can catch the train right at Timonium and be in Baltimore in a matter of minutes at Inner Harbor.

As far as hotel room prices go they can be pricey. If you are worried about the price you can travel 15 minutes north to Shrewsbury PA and stay in a hotel which might be more economical.. Hey there is another road trip for you!! You could be in Hershey PA in 45 minutes and go to Chocolate World, or many other fine towns in the area.

So come on Jerzee people and come on down. I'll be setup selling some Macs, a MTS2000, plus other hammie stuff...... My autograph is only $27.89 each..... Get em while they are cheap

 

[kb2vxa]

"Actually that would be Padonia Road, not Pandemonium Road (although I agree that with the traffic sometimes it gets that way). Please, for the sake of the out of state folks, don't mess up the directions."
Cummon Mike, common sense will tell them the translation the moment they see that big green sign and besides, everyone in the Balto area knows Pandemonium Road. (;->)

"Is that a giant triode for an amp?"
I can't see the number so I can't tell you if it's a 3CX or a 4CX, probably the latter and by the diameter of the radiator looks like a 4CX10000D or similar.

"Tom's River New Jersey, the home of concrete shoes!!!"
HUH? FYI TR is pretty similar to Lancaster only it has an inlet and a more boats and fewer horse drawn buggies. Now please, don't tell the poor guy to do it backward and have to walk all over Balto, his car goes where the light rail can't even if the fairgrounds is one of the stops. I've done exactly that driving from here a few miles from TR and done the fester and the B&O RR museum in one day. That however is ill advised if you really want to see it all, the fester is a whole day in itself if you want to do more than travel the circuit once, miss most of it and leave. The RR museum is a day in itself too, the inner harbor is about a week if you want to do it right.

If nothing else you're right about the accommodations, no matter where you go in town is always ridiculous. "Down the shore" is a good example, in this town it costs an arm, a leg, and several more body parts IF you can find a vacancy while inland a few miles it's less than half and you'll always find a room, you just have to go off the beaten path. Speaking of Hershey, he'd better bring a few more body parts for THAT little adventure, out your way there is a lot more of interest at much better prices and the FOOD? AAAAAAHHHhhhhhhh.... don't forget to take home a few jars with the yellow lable and the distelfink, WOS WIT!

"My autograph is only $27.89 each..... Get em while they are cheap."
Yeah, hand out a few QSLs to cover the cost of printing. (;->)

Oh and here's what that BMTA light rail tram looks like with the Cow Palace in the background.

 

[James04TJ]

Hmm, I might go. Google Maps shows a 3 hour drive from Toms River, NJ. Hotel rooms seem pricey in that area, and not sure if it is safe to stay inside Baltimore proper.

There are several hotels to choose from in Hunt Valley. Each of the hotels is walking distance from a Light Rail stop that will take you directly into the fair grounds. Other areas that would be good to hit for hotels would be Towson and White Marsh.

Here are a few that would be a safe and affordable bet:
Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel: 903 Dulaney Valley Road,Baltimore, MD 21204
Red Roof Inn Baltimore North - Timonium: 111 West Timonium Road, Timonium, MD
Ramada Towson: 8712 Loch Raven Blvd, Towson, MD
Burkshire Marriott Conference Hotel: 10 West Burke Avenue, Towson, MD
Holiday Inn BALTIMORE-TOWSON: 1100 CROMWELL BRIDGE RD, Towson, MD
Ramada Limited Cockeysville: 10100 York Road, Cockeysville, MD
Crowne Plaza Hotel BALTIMORE NORTH-HUNT VALLEY: 2004 GREENSPRING DRIVE, Timonium, MD
Extended Stay America Baltimore - Timonium: 9704 Beaver Dam Road, Timonium, MD
Holiday Inn TIMONIUM: 9615 DEERECO ROAD, Timonium, MD
Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Hunt Valley: 221 International Circle, Hunt Valley, MD (Highly Recommend)
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson: 8825 YELLOW BRICK ROAD, BALTIMORE, MD
Hilton Garden Inn White Marsh: 5015 Campbell Boulevard, Baltimore, MD

Prices range from $60-160/night.

 

[Paulsan]

It's tomorrow!

 

[ka3jjz]

Showers in the forecast - bring an umbrella or raincoat...stay dry out there 73 Mike

 

[Tommahawk]

Honestly... As much as I used to love the Timonium hamfest, this is probably the worst fest I have ever been to down there. The rain didn't help matters either....... Next year they can have everything in one building. Its a damn shame what has happened to this hamfest.... I want to estimate that there were about two dozen tailgate vendors (myself included) outside. I am sorry for hyping it up so much........

Although I can't complain about what we sold (We were the one's under the Baltimore Raven's canopy) it truly is a sad day to see other sellers show up with electonics and just set them out in the rain, and then to see two other sellers fighting over this junk. I witnessed it first hand. Yes JUNK!!! Actually getting into a yelling and shoving match over junk.........

Kudos to the BARC for hosting this event, and it isn't their fault that is has gone downhill. Sadly its a sign of the times.....They have tried very hard to keep the event goig despite the rising costs and the declining attendance.....

 

[FFEMTCURRENCE]

ill be there thats where i took my Tech Ham Test 8 yrs ago..my old man will be a vendor..anyway have fun up there