Hamfests Observations

Hamfests are always fun--and sometimes it is more fun to watch the attendees than it is to look at the same old overpriced junk and computer detritus on the tables!

Here are a few things that I have noticed that seem the gold standard for hamfest dress:

 

• Long sleeve button up shirts with the tails out
• Both a name tag and a ham hat so that no one can miss the call
• Over a dozen pins and buttons of one sort or another applied to the hat
• Shoes that look like they were worn out 20 years ago
• Snappy vests holding two or more HT's with external mikes
• At least two HT's, two cellphones, and a pager applied to a belt
• Eyeglass frames that were ugly even when they were new 10 years ago
• Belts with the person's name or call on it
• A shirt pocket crammed to capacity with all manner of stuff
• Knives or "pocket tools" worn on the belt
• White socks
• T shirts that are far too small for what they are trying to cover--usually combined with jeans that ride low on the waist because they cannot be pulled up any further
• Hats with antenna's attached to them
• Any sort of military clothing--especially camo gear and boonie hats
• Hairstyles that do not involve the regular use of a comb or barber
• Backpacks with large antenna's protruding out of them
• Do not shave for 3 days before the hamfest
• Do not brush your teeth for 2 days before the hamfest
• If wearing eyeglasses, the frame must be bent or have some obvious repairwork