A great crowd was on hand at the annual Desert RATS HamFest in Palm Springs. It really makes me wonder, though, if this hobby can sustain the 2- and 3-day conventions that are held here. I mean, parking to this event was free, and so was admission. Lunch was only five bucks. No, there were not twenty break-out sessions ... but attendees were treated to several "bigger" dealers' wares, some local concerns, a badge maker, and an outdoor swap meet.

Things might be changing out here in California after this year's PACIFICON and ARRL SW Division Convention. We'll see ...

On a brighter note, THANK YOU to Patrick in Arizona, and the gentlemen in Baton Rouge and Texas who we worked via AO-27 at a little after 1PM Pacific Standard Time this afternoon. In response to a question of, "How far do you usually reach?" from the group, I had just finished telling them that for AO-51, SO-50, and AO-27, the software programs' footprints have always been a little "conservative" - as we then contacted Louisiana and Texas.

And two hams purchased the two Arrow antennas that HRO-Anaheim brought out - at the special price.

Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com