As noted above, we have been doing this for 17 years. When I got back into ham radio, I thought it would be a fun way to get together with my new ham friends and it quickly became a mini hamfest. As there are lots of them already, I came up with something completely different.... a FREE FEST.
I never knew a ham without some "too good to throw away" treasures just looking for a new home. So we ask everyone to bring some such treasure, set it on a table for anyone else to carry away. The only stipulation is that you MUST take it back home if no one takes it.
There is no charge for food and beer but to keep out the riff raff we ask that you RSVP
via the Noon Time Forum 3870 AM or the Classic Radio net 3885 AM on Saturdays.
FREE FEST OPENS AT 1:00 pm (18:00z)
- Enter at center drive (beer keg mailbox) to drop off equipment or passengers.
- Exit left to park on road if there is no obvious parking left.
- Do not park in driveway under pain of death.
To reach Schmidling Hall, take I90 (the Rockford Tollway) to
Rt 20 (about 10 W of Elgin) and exit toward Marengo.
Drive West (really North) on 20 about 2 miles to Church Road.
Turn left (West) on Church Rd and we are the beer keg mail box
about 1/2 mile on the right.
Schmidling Hall 18016 Church Rd Marengo Il 60152
Ph 815 923 0031
Here are some pictures from previous events.
A major musical treat of 2011 was the Alphorn Duo.
Dan Busta (GOB) and Richard Hirsh (a mutual friend) wowed us with duets on the instrument that most only know
from Ricola commercials. I have heard them before but never two in harmony.
Dan rented the horns but couldn't get together with Rich to reherse. It was a great show anyway.
This link will take you to a video clip, courtesy of W9AD.
Video2.....
2011 was the maiden voyage for the NTF Trio. What a great sound.
The only problem was that QET never got to do his accordian thing
so I guess we have to get them started sooner next time.
This link will take you to another video clip curtesy of W9AD
Video1.....
The unchallenged hero of 2011 was Harry (QIX) and his potato launcher.
He didn't know when he brought it that my 80 meter dipole had come down the night before and was
hanging limply about 15 feet off the ground.
After one practice shot, he lobbed it over a giant Cottonwood and the rest of the volunteers got the center up so high it gets lost in the clouds.
Thanks gang. I will be hitting on Harry for the plans for that neat tool. It puts the slingshot to shame.
See Video 1 above.
This is AC0OQ setting up his NVIS antenna.
He came back Monday to run the Noon Time Forum on his way back to Iowa. This gave us a good opportunity
to compare it with my standard dipole.
With one exception that gave it a small edge, the dipole ran between 3 and 10 dB above the NVIS.
I didn't think of checking the exception but all the other stations had bigger sigs on the receive Smeter here with the dipole.
Having said all that, there was about 300 ft of coax feeding the NVIS that certainly accounts for some of the difference.
So, this is certainly a good option for people looking a good antenna on a small lot.
For details on this antenna, email John AC0OQ via QRZ.
Food and beer is self serve but if you prefer, our butler, Beersheepa will be glad to serve you; just do not discuss lamb chops around him or you will learn the meaning of rambunctious.
N9CQX had to obtain special permission from the management to dance with his wife.
Don't let the background confuse you. This is not our Christmas party.
We just don't see much point in taking it down every year.
Singing the Schnitzlebank with the band.
Hams, left to right.... AC0OQ, AB9MQ, KA9BQR
This is probaly the last time most of us saw W9UB before he went SK.
Judging from the ejoyment W9AD is getting, I must have just finished singing a solo with the band.
Pondering my junk.
W9AD on left, K9WEK looking on, KA9BQR (The Hat) in doorway,
W9GOB drinking beer.
AC0OQ is setting up his wattmeter calibration station. Unfortunately, the only Bird slug he brought was 50KW.
This is some of the junk they are standing in front of.
via the Noon Time Forum 3870 AM or the Classic Radio net 3885 AM on Saturdays.
A major musical treat of 2011 was the Alphorn Duo.
Dan Busta (GOB) and Richard Hirsh (a mutual friend) wowed us with duets on the instrument that most only know from Ricola commercials. I have heard them before but never two in harmony.
Dan rented the horns but couldn't get together with Rich to reherse. It was a great show anyway.
This link will take you to a video clip, courtesy of W9AD. Video2.....
2011 was the maiden voyage for the NTF Trio. What a great sound.
The only problem was that QET never got to do his accordian thing so I guess we have to get them started sooner next time.
This link will take you to another video clip curtesy of W9AD Video1.....
The unchallenged hero of 2011 was Harry (QIX) and his potato launcher.
He didn't know when he brought it that my 80 meter dipole had come down the night before and was hanging limply about 15 feet off the ground.
After one practice shot, he lobbed it over a giant Cottonwood and the rest of the volunteers got the center up so high it gets lost in the clouds.
Thanks gang. I will be hitting on Harry for the plans for that neat tool. It puts the slingshot to shame.
See Video 1 above.
This is AC0OQ setting up his NVIS antenna.
He came back Monday to run the Noon Time Forum on his way back to Iowa. This gave us a good opportunity to compare it with my standard dipole.
With one exception that gave it a small edge, the dipole ran between 3 and 10 dB above the NVIS. I didn't think of checking the exception but all the other stations had bigger sigs on the receive Smeter here with the dipole.
Having said all that, there was about 300 ft of coax feeding the NVIS that certainly accounts for some of the difference. So, this is certainly a good option for people looking a good antenna on a small lot.
For details on this antenna, email John AC0OQ via QRZ.
Food and beer is self serve but if you prefer, our butler, Beersheepa will be glad to serve you; just do not discuss lamb chops around him or you will learn the meaning of rambunctious.
N9CQX had to obtain special permission from the management to dance with his wife.
Don't let the background confuse you. This is not our Christmas party.
We just don't see much point in taking it down every year.
Singing the Schnitzlebank with the band.
Hams, left to right.... AC0OQ, AB9MQ, KA9BQR
This is probaly the last time most of us saw W9UB before he went SK.
Judging from the ejoyment W9AD is getting, I must have just finished singing a solo with the band.
Pondering my junk.
W9AD on left, K9WEK looking on, KA9BQR (The Hat) in doorway, W9GOB drinking beer.
AC0OQ is setting up his wattmeter calibration station. Unfortunately, the only Bird slug he brought was 50KW.
This is some of the junk they are standing in front of.
