[Milsurplus] Imagine a world without hamfests

[Michael Tauson]

Okay, the dust has settled and I presume tempers are now in check so
I’m going to summarize from my perspective.  This takes into account
the emails which outnumber the posts on this thread and came in three
broad areas – support, rebuttal and a few rather vicious bits of hate
mail that just proved that there are folks here who are strong
evidence the gene pool needs a healthy dose of chorine.  (I don’t have
to mention names, right?)

First off, I never meant to imply that the people on the lists aren’t
generous.  I have received any number of packages in exchange for coin
of the realm, other packages headed to them, postage and, in a few
cases, free.  In the past few weeks, several have improved my stock
for building the neo-antique transmitters plus a couple relatively
modern ones.  Likewise I’ve sent out packages, and have an AN/PRC-74B
sitting here waiting for me to remember where it was supposed to go –
a freebie to someone in greater need of it unconverted than I am.  (It
was sold to me as being in good working condition but I never fired it
up to find out – something the person for whom it’s intended already
knows.)  It’s one part of how our hobby works as do others.

Nor was I saying I don’t have searches going in *that* place hoping to
find something I can afford at a time I can afford it.  For those who
don’t know, my daughter is extremely ill and her assistance doesn’t
cover her medical needs by half.  That’s when Daddy steps up and does
what’s right for her, letting my own hobbies & interests take second
(or less) place.  I’m going to lose her as it is but that’s no reason
not to make life a little more comfortable for her.  A few here
understand the budget problems and work with me around them.  The
vendors on *that* place … not so much so I have to work my way around
when I can do what.

What I was saying was that having people tell me that item xxx is
available at hamfests for cheap does me absolutely no good since the
next closest state is 2300 miles away and I’m really not that strong a
swimmer.  If you tell me that and I ask that someone take a look
around for item xxx, let me know what the expected price range is and
if we can hold until the next check for payment if it’s not close
enough to when cash is available.  Or tell me to go to a very warm and
unpleasant place.  Either way, it’s better than nothing.

With that, getting email saying “I have item xxx and you can’t have
it,” is a childish waste of time and I tend to ignore people like
that.  Bit bucket-type ignore.  At a slightly less level of
aggravation are the folks who offer items of interest then, when I ask
how much they want for them, disappear.  If you make an offer, follow
through, for pity’s sake!

Now, considering the other thread, if you don’t like what I have to
say, every email client I know has a block feature.  Please use it for
your own comfort and peace of mind.

Best regards,

Michael, WH7HG
-- 
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NTH/index.aspx
http://wh7hg.blogspot.com/
http://kludges-other-blog.blogspot.com
Hiki Nô!

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