Expanded Details - The Gastonia Hamfest Saga                      (continued from page 3) Page 8 Return Page 3 Let me start from the beginning.  In preparation to going to the Gastonia Hamfest, I went to their website and clicked on their link for a map of the area and driving directions, which I printed out and had with me upon my arrival in the outskirts of Gastonia (I was on Hwy 321 South).  No problem was encountered as I turned left off of 321 onto E. Long Street, the street the "Swapfest" was located on. But the problem came when I tried to find the "Farmer's Market" on E. Long Street.  I went several blocks, turned around, went all the way back to 321 and did this routine a couple of times.  Finally, in desperation, I stopped at a service station for directions to the Farmers Market.  I followed the directions and still no Farmers Market.  Stopped at a convenience store for same directions...followed the directions and no Farmer's Market! Frustrated?  You bet!  Finally...as I was cruising E. Long Street for the 4th time, I glanced up to the sky and spotted a small flag-type sign very high up on a utility pole that said "Gastonia Farmers Market" with a small gravel driveway that led to a small Butler-type building. At the same driveway entrance, set back from the road, was a small "Real Estate" type yard sign which someone had printed "Gastonia Hamfest".  I had arrived!!  But wait, my son Steve was driving up for the hamfest from Greenville. SC.  He had the same map I did and he obligingly turned left off of I-85 per the driving directions. He found himself off in the outer boondocks of Gastonia.  Since I was in contact with him on simplex, we determined that he should have turned right off of I-85.  He turned around and after he crossed over 321 a couple times while on E. Long Street/W. Long Street.  We finally managed to meet up with each other at the hamfest (?) at 11 AM (I had arrived onto E. Long Street at 10 AM!). So...on into the building.  Just as we approached the door, it swung open and a lady with a shopping cart loaded with yard-sale stuff (clothing, bric-a-brac, etc.) exited.  I told my son that was a bad sign.  Hi.  As we entered the building, I was reaching for my wallet to pay for the admission ticket when I was informed by the attendant at the door that I didn't need to pay as they had just had the prize drawing.  At 11 AM, the main prize drawing??  I glanced around and saw only ONE commercial dealer (mobile antennas) and he was packing up . Only 3 tables had a ham behind it with some boatanchor rigs...and he too was packing up !  I spoke with a swapfest staff member and passed on my opinion of their hamfest and gave him several pointers on conducting a proper hamfest (I've attended probably in excess of 50 hamfests!). The pointers?  (1) Drive out the directions to see if they are correct.  (2) Remove tones from talk-in frequencies.  (3) Never, ever have the main drawing until after 1  or 2 PM as this usually signals the end of most hamfests (or swapfests) to dealers & attendees!  (4) Place signs and arrows several blocks in all directions directing attendees to the hamfest site.  (5)   Erect a LARGE sign at entrance to hamfest...especially if the hamfest building is far removed from the main road and/or if a small narrow road goes between close buildings on either side leading to the hamfest building (as was the case with the Gastonia Swapfest). EPILOGUE:  This was my first encounter with the Gastonia Hamfest...and most likely, my last!  I will add, at this point, that the Staff member I spoke with apologized for the bad driving directions and map.  -Ed
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