Dave, thank you for taking the time to sign up for an account on my blog, I appreciate it!

You are 100% correct about that seminar. I was pretty much thinking the same thing as you. I couldn't believe that I was right there some of the titans of our hobby. I learned a lot from Jeff's presentation, and I've already got some new attitudes about how to approach the next hamfest I attend.

I got the chance to chat up Wes some more when he stopped by the Buddipole booth. I had the opportunity to tell him all about the A123 battery technology, which he said was the most interesting new technical information he found at the whole convention. I'm still shocked that he invited me to come to his shack. I'm sure I could end up talking with him for hours if he gave me the chance.

It was my pleasure to find you a copy of SSDRA. As soon as I saw it, I knew it had to go to you. The extra copy was just a bit of gravy for me. LOL

73, Jason NT7S

Hey Seth, great to see that you're a reader of my blog!

It sounds like I might get the opportunity to go to Dayton with Buddipole next year. If I do, it will be my first trip, so I'm hopeful that I'll be able to go

You can find about a bit more about the A123 technology from the cell manufacturers website. There's a lot of good info there if you take the time to dig for it. Also, watch the Buddipole website. I've written up a page about our A123 batteries, which should be deployed very soon

73, Jason NT7S

Jeff's presentation did a great job of showing us how to re-purpose things that nobody else wanted. Those things in the flea market that don't look like fancy new solid-state gear can be a treasure trove of not only "the right chassis" but also some dandy parts. Those precision gear-driven air variables are ever so much better than a polyvaricon, and half the price at a flea market!

The social aspect of a ham convention is part of why I go now. The sponsoring club, OTVARC, has done a tremendous job of publicity. Part of this is because the club's FD chairman JD Fort K7JDF, is the producer of KEX radio's morning news program - that's why they scored Paul Linmann as the evening banquet speaker. OTVARC is also the home club for KE7JSS, who won an ARRL award for his public relations work on behalf of ham radio. One of the club members, W6ABM, is active in local politics, and recently ran for (although did not get elected to) public office. So, for some reason, this is the local club that seems to be able to get ham radio noticed. Even if you're not into the social scene, I always encourage hams to support one of your local clubs - at least if you can find one that is good at bringing newcomers to ham radio. Fresh blood will keep the hobby alive.

Seth you HAVE to get your hands on one of those batteries. Chris showed me one and it was so light - in my mind I saw the cartoon of me expecting it to weigh more so I'd be throwing it high in the air. Just from visual appearances, it occupies perhaps 20% of the volume of my 7AH SLA batteries and can't possibly weigh more than 10% as much. It's so light, you figure it must be filled with feathers - and not all that well stuffed.

And of course, no end of thanks to you Jason for procuring for me, my very own copy of SSDRA!!! It will be a long time before you'll have to pay for your own frosty malted beverages if we're at the same watering hole together.

And you finally got me to log in to a blog - first time ever.

73,

Dave W8NF