I've still had great luck selling gear at swap meets because I price it to get it gone. I don't remember the last time I bought anything though because most sellers are trying to get 80% of new prices. Then I watch them box it all up and and bring it back home at the end, like they weren't that serious about selling it 😀
So this is how Josh gets his new radios without his wife finding out. :) Dark back alley sketchy deals call "Ham swap". :) We have one that happens a couple times a year.
It kind of worries me a bit when I go to any Fleamarket and I see boxes or crates full of boxed new products. Either they are stollen or someone actually trying to make a living off of a makeshift store with none of the costs like insurance, taxes, storefront rent, etc. etc. etc. fly by night buy at your own risk kind of thing. Used equipment is always a gamble but new, boxed from manufacturer always bothers me.
Hahaha. Through the 90s, when hamfests were the main way to buy gear, it was the norm. I remember car pooling with hams and leaving at 4:30am to drive a few hours. But at that time every major city had an arena-sized hamfest so it was worthwhile.
I have been wanting to go to Hamfest or a swap meet if i can find one. One thing I am interest as currently a tech is a 10 meter radio. Is it worth getting one for 10 meter or should I get a better radio with a VFO and just watch band limits.
Definitely get an HF rig that can do multiple bands if your budget allows for it, because you can learn that radio while minding your band limits, and when you feel the time is right to upgrade to General or Extra, that same radio you're already familiar with can now be used on lots of other bands!
Oh I ordered 😮my ARRL books 📕 get all three licenses 🪪 I’m Cet from long ago !!! Have made and repaired my fair share of radio and amplifier equipment!!!
The biggest thing for me at swap meets is... I don't know what 1/2 the stuff is, what its used for and whether or not it's worth buying. I'm pretty sure I walked by some stuff that would have been deal, if I had been able to recognized that... still too much the newbie. The Pacificon swap meet was better than what I was expecting, other swap meets I've driven to...meh.
The hamfest organizers should be ashamed of starting an outdoor swap meet in the dark. You can't even see the items. I realize that some of them old f$%ks have been up for 2 hours by 6 am... But give me a break. That is just stupid. But cheap a$$es are always going to be cheap. It is probably the same people who would be trampling someone to get the "black friday deal". That's okay, I'll just buy it at their estate sale for what they told their spouse they paid for it... And in many cases in this hobby it won't be too long of a wait.
06:15? Almost as bad as Walmart on Friday after Thanksgiving. A coffee and donut vendor would make a killing.
Oh for real. The hotel had these carts they could have used to sell that!
I've still had great luck selling gear at swap meets because I price it to get it gone. I don't remember the last time I bought anything though because most sellers are trying to get 80% of new prices. Then I watch them box it all up and and bring it back home at the end, like they weren't that serious about selling it 😀
I feel this. I always hear "buy used radio gear" but it marked up that it's just better to spend say $50 more to buy it new
6:31 That table's holding on for dear life!
Living in the middle of BFE, Ham swap meets are as rare as hens teeth. The nearest one is 120 miles away, then out from there.
That straight key called out and came home with me, with it sitting on my desk shaming me, I’ll definitely learn code now
You can always find treasures at the HAM swap meets.🤠
What a candy store! I'd go broke. 😂😂
So this is how Josh gets his new radios without his wife finding out. :) Dark back alley sketchy deals call "Ham swap". :) We have one that happens a couple times a year.
It kind of worries me a bit when I go to any Fleamarket and I see boxes or crates full of boxed new products. Either they are stollen or someone actually trying to make a living off of a makeshift store with none of the costs like insurance, taxes, storefront rent, etc. etc. etc. fly by night buy at your own risk kind of thing. Used equipment is always a gamble but new, boxed from manufacturer always bothers me.
We generally keep the original boxes, so used gear may have original boxes.
Nice swap meet but MAN!! TOO EARLY
Yeah, if you need a flashlight to see the merchandise, it’s too early! 🔦
flea markets are always early. you can come later, but good deals are gone.
Hahaha. Through the 90s, when hamfests were the main way to buy gear, it was the norm. I remember car pooling with hams and leaving at 4:30am to drive a few hours. But at that time every major city had an arena-sized hamfest so it was worthwhile.
@@alanb76 Guess I'm not that dedicated. I rarely get up before 10 or 11 on days that I don't work.
@@xxmrrickxx Yeah, I miss the big hamfests. They are few and far between now.
Thanks Josh! Got my psyched for next year! Will bring headlamp and wagon 😜
$200 for a D-72?
I didn't think Adam/Dennis got up that early.
I have been wanting to go to Hamfest or a swap meet if i can find one. One thing I am interest as currently a tech is a 10 meter radio. Is it worth getting one for 10 meter or should I get a better radio with a VFO and just watch band limits.
Definitely get an HF rig that can do multiple bands if your budget allows for it, because you can learn that radio while minding your band limits, and when you feel the time is right to upgrade to General or Extra, that same radio you're already familiar with can now be used on lots of other bands!
Oh I ordered 😮my ARRL books 📕 get all three licenses 🪪 I’m Cet from long ago !!! Have made and repaired my fair share of radio and amplifier equipment!!!
0:33 One of VideoBob’s proton packs? Give him some support right now after the robot pool cleaner burned his house down. 🏠🔥
lol feels shady in the dark 🤣
Reminds me of the hundred or so times I hit the computer 🖥️ trade shows!!!🎉
That was a pretty good Spread for a swap meet.
Can't say I have ever seen a ham swap in the dark before! 73 de n0km
The biggest thing for me at swap meets is... I don't know what 1/2 the stuff is, what its used for and whether or not it's worth buying. I'm pretty sure I walked by some stuff that would have been deal, if I had been able to recognized that... still too much the newbie. The Pacificon swap meet was better than what I was expecting, other swap meets I've driven to...meh.
Ask the seller what is it, what’s it’s used for and the price. 👍
Not sure I want a shirt made of ham. It would attract flies.
Are they doing it at 6am just for the vibe? Nice background music btw, adds to the cyberpunk feel :)
It started at 6:00. That’s where the deals are!
Was that an unlicensed nuclear accelerator?
I have to leave my wallet home when I go to these....
It looks like you managed to crash the ARRL website with people searching for local hamfests lol.
😳
Like a kid in a candy 🍭 store 🏬!!!
Can't really hear prices with that music playing were is it at what state
Was that a Ghost Buster Proton Pack?
Yes.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I bet that puppy puts out a mean Spark Gap. ⚡️
Which means ironically you could it against Marconi himself .
Was that Smitty talking int he background?
Yes indeed!
We're famous on youtube. :) (the antenna launcher guy) w6akb
The hamfest organizers should be ashamed of starting an outdoor swap meet in the dark. You can't even see the items. I realize that some of them old f$%ks have been up for 2 hours by 6 am... But give me a break. That is just stupid. But cheap a$$es are always going to be cheap.
It is probably the same people who would be trampling someone to get the "black friday deal".
That's okay, I'll just buy it at their estate sale for what they told their spouse they paid for it... And in many cases in this hobby it won't be too long of a wait.
No one is ashamed. It was fun. Relax.
Those old f$%ks? They are called Elmers. And they were probably up at 4 a.m. when they were young f$%ks too. It’s called ambition.😅