Talk:Hamfest

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[edit] Origin

What's the origin of the Hamfest? There must have been a first one somewhere. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Waxpancake (talk • contribs) .

OK, I'm seeing problems show up. The list of links was, initially, links to only noteworthy hamfests. The largest one in the world (Hamvention). The largest one without a flea market (Visalia). An example of one that is purely special interest (Microwave Update)...The largest on the West Coast (SeaPac), the most trade-show like (Hamvention and Friedrichschafeen). Now we're getting little regional 'fests that have no real distinction, and worse than that, they're starting to write ad copy directly into the text of the article. The contributions about the NEAR-FEST are particularly egregious, since they further go on to advertise the supporting organization (an individual amateur operator). This is completely at odds with the purpose of the article, which is to explain what a hamfest is, and secondarily to give A FEW links to ones that are more significant.

Also, I note and agree with the comment that the article is far too US-centric. There's a link now to an Australian "hamfest", the largest one, that is great. Could someone from the UK add some text about your region's rallies (as they are called instead of hamfests)? How about Japan Hamfair, could we get a contribution about that one, please?

I'll check back here in a few weeks, and if the blatant advertising in the text has not been removed, I will do so. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.65.41.18 (talk) 00:06, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Someone else did a nice cleanup job of the introductory paragraphs. Thank you. The NEAR-fest comment was added, with appropriate text to indicate why this is a significant fest. I removed the blatant advertising for the Shelby Hamfest's sponsoring club, and also added the pertinent detail of attendance figures, so that it is obvious why this one is worthy of inclusion. I removed links to smaller 'fests, where there seemed to be no significant feature to them that made them worthy of inclusion. I have been unable to find a website for the Friedrichschafen 'fest; would someone be kind enough to add such a link? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.65.41.18 (talk) 20:26, 3 June 2008 (UTC)