QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo 2020

 

The welcome message.
This moring and this afternoon I was just checking out the first-ever QSO today virtual ham expo 2020. This may be one of the "ways of the future" I am very impressed with the speakers they have lined up and if you miss one you can watch the recorded version. After a presentation, there is a live question and answer session. There is a QSO lounge where you can chat with fellow hams as well as reps from various manufactures.  I'm not going to give a complete rundown as you can click on the above link and see for yourself just after a short registration. This being the first year and already there is a date set in March 2021 for the next event. Sure there may be the need for improvement and they are very open to suggestions but I am very impressed with what I have seen so far. 

Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

6 Responses to “QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo 2020”

  • AA3C:

    It was something decent to do over the weekend but I hope it’s not the way of the future. One has to touch and play with the new items that are out for purchase and not just get second hand knowledge from the salesmen.

    I asked if it was possible for the FTDX-101D to use the 5114Y cable to make it work with the MFJ-939 autotuner. This place was an authorized vendor for both. They weren’t sure if it would or not but the radio wasn’t made for antennas that were not 50 ohms. What?!?!?! Duh but the world isn’t perfect, nor are antennas and I needed to know. Ugh.

  • Ron, K8HSY:

    I commend Eric for the enormous work he put into this first QSO Today Ham Expo! No, it isn’t like a Huntsville Hamfest; it wasn’t meant to be. You can take a negative attitude and find something to criticize about it, or you can take a positive attitude and appreciate that it reached out to a worldwide radio amateur audience where you can sit in the comfort of your home and get the benefit of the knowledge and experiences of some of the top movers & shakers in our areas of interest; no concerns about social distancing or wearing face masks as defenses against the feared Covid-19 virus. We could ask questions and get answers, hob nob with other hams and see some of the latest gear. As a blind participant, I especially appreciate Eric’s efforts to make this Ham Expo accessible to those of us who use screen reading programs to access our computers and navigate such websites. Thanks Eric for putting together one hell of a Ham Expo, especially for the first time out, and I am looking forward to the next one!
    Ron, K8HSY — Dr. Ronald E. Milliman, Retired Professor of Marketing, Entrepreneur, & Business Consultant

  • Mike VE9KK:

    Good afternoon Richard very nice to hear from you and thanks for taking the time to read and make a comment, I have to admit as well it is just not like the same old same old hamfest…..BUT….for now this is where it’s at. When your going to drop some large coin on a radio yes very true it’s imperative to spin the dial and see how things feel. The salesman response should have been “I am not sure but I will get someone who does know and can answer your question”. Ham radio is a very complex hobby with lots of interests and one person just can’t know it all, but they can pass you to someone who can answer your question.
    73,
    Mike
    VE9KK

  • Mike VE9KK:

    Good afternoon Ron and welcome to the blog and thanks for the comment, I could not have said it better my self! Yes this was a first time thing and Eric did an amazing job putting it together and it may just be the way of the future. I did notice in the upper left-hand corner of the Expo website a link for the hearing and visually impaired. I was very impressed by this and it allows all to take part in the Expo. I did notice from your QRZ page you have 2 Kenwood radios, and I was shocked to see that Kenwood was absent from the Expo? I am not sure what was up with that as they are one of the top 4…..I included Elecraft in the top standings.
    Have a great week Ron and thanks again for stopping by.
    73,
    Mike
    VE9KK

  • David WB4ONA:

    This “QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo 2020” is an epic FAILURE!! I can’t see any of the content without having to submit a large amount of personal and private information in order to “Register”. That’s not gonna happen! This crock is a recipe for FOREVER SPAM.

    Required:

    First Name
    Last Name
    Email Address
    Country
    Address
    City
    State
    Zip

    This is checked by DEFAULT: “I agree to share my contact information with QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo sponsors and exhibitors in exchange for a FREE ticket to the Expo and be eligible to participate in games where prizes are awarded to winners.”

  • Mike VE9KK:

    Good afternoon David thanks for taking the time to comment and for reading the post, I do agree with you in regard to the info that was asked for…..but….. I dipped my toes in the pool and did check the contact information box. Let see what happens now that my info is out there. In the future maybe organizers will take note if more like yourself express your displeasure to the information they are asking to just attend. This is what brings about change.
    Thanks again David and have a great week.
    73,
    Mike
    VE9KK

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