MARA Hamfest 2015

posted 9/19/15

The Mound Amateur Radio Association held it's annual hamfest today. However, most likely due to the fact that the Air Force Marathon was also today, attendance was down. Many local hams volunteer at the marathon. We had a great time visiting with old friends!

This is the entrance to the Mound Park.

The first person we recognized was George - WD8NHI!

Here's one of the flea market sales areas...

Antenna for sale...

Additional sales items...

This is the MARA Club House.

There are several stations set up in the club house. Here are two of the operating positions.

There is another operating position behind this young man.

This young man is having folks sign up for the drawing that will take place at the end of the hamfest...

Here's yet another operating position beside the MARA repeater.

Here's another sales area outside the club house.

The club's antenna farm!

Then we found some more guys in another sales area!

More stuff for sale...

Keith - WA8ZWJ and Marian - WD8CJD with the Mound in the background...

Here's Sam - WA8VIW!

Lee - WA8MSD!

Gail - KD8CXB and Sam and Gail's dog, Heyyou!

The caption for this photo is "Take the darned picture today please!"

Keith and Marian went over to the Mound. As you will read below, this is a VERY old Indian burial mound dating from somewhere between 1000 B.C. and 400 A.D.! Incredible!

Yep! There are a BUNCH of steps to get to the top. We talked with a lady who had just finished doing 20 trips up and down the steps as her exercise routine. She told us she had done 30 trips on Monday and had hopes of eventually doing 40 trips before her 69th birthday in a couple of months!

Before we headed up the steps Gail asked if I had my cell phone so I could call 911 in case of an emergency. I assured her I had it! :-)

Looking towards Sam and Gail's home beside the park.

Another look at Sam and Gail's place...

Last year the parking area was full of tailgaters. This year there were only two there.

When we got to the top the gang down there waved at us and congratulated us for making it to the top OK! Sam is waving here!

Progressing around the Mound...

The club house is behind the trees on the park property...

When we got back down Fast Eddie - W8ED had arrived!

Joe - KD8GIL! He was at Findlay with Glenn and the gang last week!

It was great to have some quality time to visit with our friends! We look forward to the next opportunity!

We were invited to stay for lunch but Fast Eddie, Marian and I decided to take in the all-you-can-eat Chinese Buffet in town since we don't get down this direction very often! Yes, we all got fed up!

Best wishes and 73, Keith - WA8ZWJ