Ham radio club swap meets (scene report)

[ErikMiller]

Earlier this month I went to 2 ham radio club swap meets here in Northern California.

http://www.livermoreark.com/swap/swap.html
http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com/

I wasn't sure what to expect; the only photo I've seen of one was at a community college in the midwest, and the whole thing fit into the cafeteria. Mostly ham stuff.

The first (smaller) one I went to was in Pleasanton, in a community college parking lot. I set the alarm for 8 AM, even though the swap started at 7:30, figuring that we'd make it out there by 9 or so, and a couple of hours would probably be more than enough time.

We woke up at 6:30, and were both so awake that we decided to just get in the car and go. After stops at the coffee house and filling station for fuel, we hit the road and arrived at the college around 8:30.

The part of the lot where we were to park was packed. We could see the swap meet tables further up the hill, and there were lots of them.

I decided to do my usual flea market search pattern of starting at one end and methodically working my way up one aisle and down the next until I got to the other end. Usually I make a note of anything I want to buy and then go back later, but I wasn't so sure I'd have time for that.

Found lots of good stuff; tubes, wire, test equipment (probe for my VTVM, books, panel meters, Beckman LCR meter....my favorite finds were a pair of books on how to service electronic organs.

The selection of goods was wider than I thought. Basically everything from home stereo stuff to surplus medical electronics, with intriguing stops at antique tube amps and radios.

All in all it was a great time. I was so engrossed that my girlfriend had to come and rub sunscreen on me so I wouldn't burn in the sun. The crowd was an interesting mix of oldster ham geeks, with a sprinkling of younger Burning Man types.

By 10:30, some of the exhibitors were already packing up. One guy put a huge box of tubes in his trunk just as I walked up, thereby proving his strategy kinda stupid.

Following weekend I decided to go to the one in Sunnyvale. Lot of the same exhibitors, but more of them. More books, which made me happy. Picked up a copy of Bernard Grob's Electronics textbook, printed in the '70's with a chapter on tubes. One guy had a whole bunch of Xytronix, Weller, and Hakko soldering equipment for cheap. I bought an 800 degree tip for my WTCPT and an extra tip cleaner.

There was more representation from the silicon valley surplus houses like Halted and Weird Stuff.

All in all, I'd say that checking out these swap meets are essential for any kind of electronics hobbyist. They start kinda early for musician types, but it's worth it every once in a while. I'd love to carpool with another enthusiast some time.

[Peter Snowberg]

Thanks for the report Erik!

We should get together one of these days. I live in Sausalito as of tonight :mrgreen: so getting to the East Bay just got a bit easier for me.

Take care,
-Peter

[MarkB]

The last one I went to - was not QUITE a washout.. I did get some cheap transistors, etc...

but I went to the same one a few years ago - and got an RE-501 Space Echo, in perfect working order (and pretty darn good shape) for $40.

THAT was worth the trip.
"-)