Subject: ARCA Hamfest -- July 18-20, 2008
Arizona State Convention Hamfest Needs Our Help
Letter from ARCA Chairman Cliff Hauser, KD6XH
Greetings Fellow Amateur Radio Operators:
This July, I was again elected as Chairman of the Amateur Radio Council of Arizona (ARCA). During the next year I plan to do my best to promote amateur radio and ARCA to the fullest. The Arizona State Convention Hamfest for next year is presently scheduled for 18-20 July 2008 in Williams.
To accomplish my goal of returning this activity to a large and quality event, I am going to need the help of all the clubs and each amateur radio individual in the state. We need to get the Williams hamfest back to a major event (i.e. State Convention) that will draw a lot of people from around our state and the southwest. I am not sure what happened to cause the decline, but the past cannot be changed. We need to make sure that the past mistakes are not repeated and the good things we have done in the past are carried forward.
A little history on why the hamfest was moved from Flagstaff to Williams. The Coconino county fairgrounds were continuing to raise our cost each year while not maintaining the grounds, making repairs, or upgrading facilities. At the rate of increasing cost, ARCA would have been required to raise the cost of each outside spot to $50.00, charge an entrance fee of $5.00 each person, and raise the inside spots over $150.00 each. ARCA's expenses were starting to outpace the income. Hams, being a thrifty bunch, would have balked at this additional cost and we would have lost a lot of people and vendors with this additional expense. By moving to Williams (only 30 miles away) we have been able to maintain (and in a few cases lower) the cost of vendor spots and have not needed to charge an entrance fee. The town of Williams has made significant progress in the repair and upgrade to the fairgrounds and are planning more upgrades in the near future. It appears that the cost of the motel's and food is less expensive than Flagstaff. Williams has great RV facilities and when the forest is open for use (this we cannot control) there is adequate RV parking within easy driving distance.
I need your help in trying to get commercial vendors to return to our hamfest. The inside area is about the same size as was before and has a roof that does not leak. There is adequate electricity and the cement floor is excellent with several telephone lines for credit card use. I am sure it is going to be hard to get commercial vendors back because of the convenience of "On-Line Shopping" and the cost of travel. Most companies selling amateur radio equipment make a large part of their profit using the internet. Packing up supplies, traveling to Williams, setting up, and then returning back home is a large expense that will eat into the company profit.. This is where I am asking for the help of everyone. Many of you have home based business that involves amateur radio and other products. By setting up at the hamfest you can sell your products and advertise also. Many of you know of a vendor that may be willing to participate. If so, please let me know and I will make the contact and show him/her the advantage of coming to our event.
I cannot do this alone. I need the help of everyone. I am open to all suggestions on how to make the Arizona State Hamfest a great event that everyone will want to attend. Please let me know your thoughts on how to improve this event and return this State Hamfest to its former glory. It is not going to be easy but all of us together can make it happen.
Clifford Hauser KD6XH
ARCA Chair
ARRL Assistant Section Manager Arizona
kd6xh@comcast.net
520 744-9095 home
520 235-7393 mobile
520 794-8285 work
(Please post in newsletters, websites and distribute to all hams in Arizona)
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ARRL Arizona Section
Section Manager: Thomas J. Fagan, WB7NXH
wb7nxh@arrl.org
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