This year is different from any of the past two years I’ve gone to Dayton. The first year I went to Dayton, I wanted a simple HF rig and knew my budget only supported something like a Radio Shack HTX-100. I bought two for $45. I also bought a power supply for it (an Astron RS-12).

Last year, I was looking for an LDG tuner for my IC-706. Found one for $85. I’m not even sure I bought anything else.

This year, my tastes are hopefully smaller.

• A nice straight key… for a damn good price
• The ARRL CW book that just came out… if it is a damn good price
• Some air variable caps… I could use some smaller ones as well as some matching pairs for matching antennas
• Maybe some tubes (for both a linear and potentially for a guitar amp for my brother-in-law)
• Probably some other parts

Dayton’s Friday through Sunday, and this blog post wouldn’t be complete without a list of what will be in my bag.

• An umbrella (maybe my raincoat)
• A small notepad and pen
• A small bag of snacks (last year, it was goldfish crackers)
• My HT and headset
• A backup battery for my phone
• A bottle of water (disposable)
• A towel (small)

Things I know I will buy:

• A beer 🙂

Things I know I will get:

• Another Dayton Pin
• A Yaesu hat (if they have them)

Things to keep in the Truck

• A bath towel… rain is expected!
• A small cooler with ice and a few bottles of water

Other Stuff

Last year, there was a guy from Linux in the Hamshack. If he’s there again, I may give them a donation since they did direct some traffic to my website (and that was totally unsolicited). I listen to their show far too seldom, and it is an interesting show.

Last year, I tried to make it a point to make it to some of the forums. This year I might, but probably not as much – I tried to attend the microcontrollers forum last year, there were no seats available in the oven… er, room… when I got there.