This was a great rally for the RV Service Net members in Orlando, FL, at Hamcation 2010. Previously, for many years, our group met the week before for Ham-a-rally. The RV Service Net met at a nearby RV park and enjoyed fellowship, food, and games. We realized over the past year we wouldn’t be able to have the Ham-a-rally event and would instead focus on our group’s experience at Hamcation.
A great group of talkers — what else do you expect from Hams?
We didn’t know we would have the biggest group we’ve had in some years, with 49 rigs parked in the very nice Central Florida Fairgrounds. Orlando Amateur Radio Club again operated a very fine hamfest with a large crowd and almost a full complement of vendors. The nationwide wintry weather conspired against one or two vendors, but most of the many were showing and hoping to sell a lot of radios, amps, antennae, and accessories.
The wet and cool weather also dampened the activity some. The tailgaters and other outdoor flea market sellers seemed most affected by the heavy rains on Friday — they essentially lost the whole day to drenching and cold rain. Even if vendors could have kept all their wares displayed dry, the attendees spent much of Friday sheltering from the driving rain.
Never too cold to catch some Vitamin D for these snowbirds, Jean W2JHM and Joan
Except for rainy Friday the Hamcation days were dry and bright. The hamfest had many indoor display areas so attendees found plenty to do without having to brave the coldest parts of each day. Outdoor temperatures were never very warm, but sitting in the sunshine apparently was warm enough for some, eh?
A great collection of first-time RV SVC Net Hamcation attendees
The RV Service Net folks had a fabulous social, our largest for the weekend, Saturday afternoon and this despite some folks already having departed for various obligations. Three special photos featured the first-time RV SVC Net attendees, many of the Net Controllers, and our snowbirds sheltering in Miami.
Largest collection of Net Controllers in the southeast?
Our snowbirds up from Miami
Our first Hamcation without the preceding Ham-a-rally has been a great success. The spontaneous potluck attracted most of our members and no one left hungry. The socials drew many for spirited fellowship, renewing friendships, and story swapping. Everyone agreed this has been a very memorable gathering, and we’re all looking forward to next year’s Hamcation in Orlando, Florida.
Until then we’ll look for you down the log,
N5RTG Jim
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