[qrp-canada] FW: [QRP-L] No more Hosstraders!

[rattray]

-----Original Message-----
From: qrp-l-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:qrp-l-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of JT Croteau
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2007 11:02 AM
To: qrp-l at qth.net; qrp-l at qrp-l.org
Subject: [QRP-L] No more Hosstraders!


Sad day for New England Hams.  I hadn't been to a Hosstraders in over 15
years. I just recently moved back to NH and was planning on making it a
regular event for me. Read the full announcement below:

To All Radio Amateurs...

February 2007

>From the Hosstraders, Joe K1RQG, Bob W1GWU, and Norm W1ITT

Re: Hosstraders Tailgate Swapfest

The October 2006 event was the last Hosstraders. After careful
consideration, we have decided to discontinue hosting the event. A
combination of factors have led to this difficult decision. We've been
running Hosstraders for a third of a century, but we've always done it "our
way" and we feel that the result has been an event unique in the Amateur
Radio world, certainly in New England. A number of things have been taken
into account, but foremost in our mind is that we want Hosstraders to be a
quality experience in every way, and not to slowly run it into the ground
just for the ride. We want to take things out on a high note, while we can
still be proud of our efforts. Briefly, the factors that led us to this
point are problems with site logistics, the changing face of flea marketing
due to internet commerce, changes in directions of Amateur Radio, and just
the fact that we have done it for a third of a century and we are getting
old and tuckered out. It is not our intent to elaborate further on these
matters. Nor do we intend to anoint or endorse any successors, or go into
the business of Hamfest Consulting, so please don't ask. We are unaware of
any person or group in the region with the experience to "take over".
Therefore, be very cautious of anyone who comes forward claiming to be the
"new Hosstraders". Running an event of Hosstraders' size and impact is more
challenging than it appears! What's the next step? Well, for us, we plan to
relax and play radio. For the rest of the Amateur community in the
Northeast, we'd suggest that you get off the internet and on the air.
Support your local clubs, and their events. Put up an antenna for some ham
who needs a bit of assistance, and help to maintain the fraternal aspects of
our hobby. We wish to thank you for your great support these many years. We
often hear from hams who have been attending Hosstraders since those early
days in Seabrook. Since that first event, where 61 of us met on a flat
grassy field, we've had lots of fun, and made lots of memories. We've also
donated over 1.3 million dollars to the Shriners' Hospitals for the care and
support of severely burned and crippled kids. We are proud of that, and
those who participated can share in that pride. The need still exists at the
Hospitals, so if you wish to make someone happy, perhaps each year on the
anniversary of Hosstraders, you could send a check along to Boston,
Springfield or Montreal. They will not waste it! We hope you'll remember the
times we all had together at Seabrook, Deerfield, Kingston (!), Rochester
and Hopkinton. You can be sure that we will never forget.

-- 
 JT Croteau, W6FO/1 - Manchester, NH
______________________________________________________________
QRP-L mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qrp-l
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:QRP-L at mailman.qth.net


-- 
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.441 / Virus Database: 268.17.34/679 - Release Date: 2/10/2007
4:08 PM


-- 
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed
3386 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their
emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com