As of this morning, the (preliminary) hamfest schedule is available -- you take the link on the home page, and then download a .zip file.? Unzipping that gets you a folder containing a .pdf file, which is the schedule.? I noted that 1200-1300 on Saturday is "Lunch," so that'll be the time we gather.

I'll be using my HT to monitor 444.850 FM (the output of the N5ERS UHF repeater,) and will reply simplex on it (in previous Cowtown Hamfests in that location I was not ever able to reliably "hit" the repeater with my Icom IC-92AD and an upgraded whip antenna -- YMMV.)

I'll be onsite on Friday, and will scout out a location for our BYO Lunch and Eyeball QSO -- I'll describe it here after I get home.

See y'all there!

John DE K5JY

-----Original Message-----
From: k5jy via groups.io <k5jy@...>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Tue, Jan 3, 2023 12:08 pm
Subject: [n5ers] Cowtown Hamfest

As of a few moments ago, the Cowtown Hamfest website allowed me to buy a ticket (contrary to the status blurb on the main page.)? I still couldn't access the schedule, though.

73,

John DE K5JY

-----Original Message-----
From: k5jy via groups.io <k5jy@...>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Mon, Dec 19, 2022 11:08 am
Subject: Re: [n5ers] Cowtown Hamfest

Well, as of this morning (12/19,) the website still isn't fully functional.? I couldn't buy a pre-sale ticket, and I still couldn't see the schedule.? On a happier note, when you access the "ticket" link on the main page's upper menu bar, it takes you to another page with two background pictures that alternate -- one is an overhead shot from the inside balcony showing the tables on the main floor, and one shows people coming in the door and either presenting or buying tickets.? The big guy in the red shirt and khaki ball cap is me!? That's my Scorpion Antennas shirt, and the khaki hat has "K5JY" embroidered on the front (although you can't see either.)? Hmmm, I don't remember giving them permission to use my likeness in a profit-making enterprise...? Maybe they'll give me an extra door prize ticket so I have some chance of joining Mike's (AE5IV's) winning streak <grin.>

73,

John DE K5JY

-----Original Message-----
From: k5jy via groups.io <k5jy@...>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Thu, Dec 15, 2022 12:49 pm
Subject: Re: [n5ers] Cowtown Hamfest

Looks like the website is finally (mostly) fixed:?

Dates are 1/20-21/2023, but ticket pre-sale isn't working yet. The page says that the deadline for the pre-sale drawing will be 1/18.

Wasn't able to see the schedule, either (link took me to a Google drive where I didn't have access.)? I'll keep watching it, and report if the Saturday 1200-1300 slot won't work for our "brown-bag and eyeball QSO" event.

73,

John DE K5JY

-----Original Message-----
From: k5jy via groups.io <k5jy@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Fri, Dec 2, 2022 8:57 pm
Subject: [n5ers] Cowtown Hamfest

Don't know how many are still around to participate, but I'd like to propose a "brown-bag" lunch of the surviving ERS'ers on Saturday at the hamfest.? That means "bring whatever you'd like to eat for lunch" and we'll gather somewhere onsite around noonish.? (In the past, onsite food has been a hassle.)? The published schedule shows a one-hour break from 1200 to 1300, so we should be able to meet, greet, and eat in that time.? RSVP here, and if there's a quorum, I'll start looking for a site (in the past, we've found a balcony, or an outdoor porch.)? Plus, we should coordinate a frequency to connect via our HTs (you WILL be packing an HT, won't you?)

Regards and 73,
John DE K5JY