Ham Radio For Dummies. H. Ward Silver

       An admission ticket: You need a ticket, sold at the gate or by advance order through a website or email.

       Money: Take cash. Commercial vendors can take credit cards but most individual sellers don’t.

       Something to carry your purchases in: Take along a sturdy cloth sack, backpack, or another type of bag that can tolerate a little grime or dust.

       A handheld or mobile radio: Most hamfests have a talk-in frequency, which is almost always a VHF or UHF repeater. The talk-in operator can give directions and updates on weather or parking. If you attend with a friend, and both of you take handheld radios, you can share tips about the stuff you find while walking the aisles.

       Water and food: Don’t count on food being available, but the largest hamfests almost always have a food concession. Gourmet food is rarely available; expect the same level of quality that you’d find at a ballpark. Taking along a full water bottle is a good idea.

       If you’re new to ham radio, buddy up with a more experienced ham who can steer you around hamfest pitfalls.

       Most prices are negotiable, especially as the sellers begin to think about packing up, but good deals go quickly. Don’t be afraid to make a reasonable offer and bargain!

       Most vendors aren’t interested in trades unless they post a sign that they are willing to consider them.

       Hamfests are good places to buy accessories for your radio, often for a fraction of the manufacturer’s price if they’re sold separately from the radio. Commercial vendors of new batteries often have good deals on spare battery packs.

       Many hamfests have electricity available so that vendors can demonstrate equipment and maybe even a radio test bench. If a seller refuses to demonstrate a supposedly functional piece of gear or won’t open a piece of equipment for inspection, you may want to move along. Unless you really know what you’re doing, avoid antique radios. They often have quirks that can make using them a pain or that require impossible-to-get repair parts.

       Don’t be afraid to ask what something is. Most of the time, the ham behind the table enjoys telling you about his or her wares, and even if you don’t buy it, the discussion may attract another buyer. Be familiar with the smell of burned or overheated electronics, especially transformers and sealed components. Direct replacements may be difficult to obtain.

       If you know exactly what you’re looking for, check auction and radio swap sites such as ebay.com, eham.net, and qrz.com before and while attending the hamfest with your smartphone. You can get an idea of the going price and average condition, so you’re less likely to pay too much.

       The commercial vendors will sell you accessories, tools, and parts on the spot, which saves you shipping charges. Don’t forget to look under the tables, where you can occasionally find some real treasures!