First published in the SOTABEAMS Newsletter 9 May 2018. If you like this article, why not sign up to our newsletter? It comes out about monthly.

There is no doubt in my mind that here in the UK the people attending radio rallies (hamfests) are getting older but looking around at some of these events, there is probably little to attract a younger age group. Most of what newer hams want can be bought online and tables loaded with ancient gear priced well above what a new HT costs, are clearly not appealing. If you attend many rallies you see the same (old) traders with the same old radios time after time so they don't sell much.

The genesis of rallies was a meet up for top-band mobile operators; indeed they used to be called mobile rallies. Somehow that social aspect seems to have been lost. Maybe in an era of Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat their relevance is diminishing? I cannot imagine that they will disappear completely (in my lifetime anyway) but their numbers continue to fall.They also get shorter; may rallies here in the UK are effectively over in two hours.

From a trader's perspective, rallies are all about foot-fall (the number of people attending). To draw the crowds, organisers need to publicise their events effectively. To have any chance of success, rallies need to be on all the internet lists and in all the magazines plus all the local clubs need to be invited - this requires planning well in advance. On a more personal note, rallies where people will help me to bring stock in and take it out again at the end are always popular. ...and bringing round free tea and coffee regularly for traders gets a gold star in my book (thank you Dartmoor Radio Club).

Of course, it's not all doom and gloom as attendees at rallies are not representative of the whole amateur radio population but it would be a shame if they died out. Why not try one near you? Here are a few lists of UK rallies and I feel sure that there are similar lists throughout the World:

RSGB Rally List
G4RGA's Rally List

See you at a rally?


73 Richard G3CWI

First published in the SOTABEAMS Newsletter 9 May 2018. If you like this article, why not sign up to our newsletter? It comes out about monthly.