The Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society (AHARS) held their annual Buy and Sell yesterday on Sunday 6th November 2016. Myself and Ian VK5CZ, the SOTA VK5 Manager, set up a display at the Buy and Sell, promoting the various Parks programs (including World Wide Flora Fauna, & VK5 Parks Award), and the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program.
As is the case most years when we have set up this display, we had a lot of interest shown.
We had various equipment on display including various antennas, the Yaesu FT-817nd, the Elecraft KX3, the Yaesu FT-857d, various powers sources, and promotional pamphlets.
Hopefully we have sparked some more interest in these programs.
VK5PAS 
Hi Paul,
I only had time for a brief look at your stand and said hello to Ian before returning to my stall. However, I was encouraged by the numbers at the buy and sell, which AHARS committee members said was greater than last year. I was also pleased to see you guys had quite a bit of interest in your display as well. Perhaps that reflects many things but certainly more interest in portable operations!
I came home a bit lighter than when I arrived and I was pleased to catch up with many amateur radio friends, including Adrian (VK5FANA) for the first time.
Cheers
John D
VK5BJE/VK5PF
Hi John,
We had a lot of interaction with some very keen people this year. Guys were even taking photos of the LiFePO batteries and taking notes. Hopefully we’ve recruited a few more portable activators.
Cheers,
Paul,
VK5PAS.
Another great display. I did note that there weren’t any outside displays as there was last year?
Overall I went home with more bits!
The SOTA/Parks display was again a highlight and I acknowledge that it is a ‘Buy and Sell’ but it it is a great day to highlight the many different aspects of amateur radio in VK5….SOTA, Parks,DATV, Balloon, CW and so many other ‘niche’ groups.
Cheers
Chris
VK4FR/VK5FR
G’day Chris,
Unfortunately I’ve been so busy with WIA matters I didn’t get to organise any presentations this year at the AHARS Buy & Sell. Hopefully next year I get some guest speakers together like we did last year. The talks appeared to be well attended and added a bit of extra interest for attendees on the day.
Cheers,
Paul VK5PAS
Not your issue Mate! Just like you and Ian man a display on what interests you, it would be good to have a look at what others are doing in various amateur radio ‘streams’
Certainly didn’t want to infer that you, of all people, weren’t doing enough!!
Cheers
Chris
VK4FR/VK5FR
Hi Chris,
When I was on the AHARS Committee I made a number of suggestions that the Buy and Sell should feature talks and displays. But in the main, this has not occurred sadly. It would be good to see a lot more displays, along with presentations. It breaks the day up from just the buy and sell hall and makes it a lot more interesting for those attending. I will throw out a few more hints to the organisers.
73 mate
Paul VK5PAS.