Mad River Radio Club Schedule Of Events For The 2010 Dayton Hamvention® Weekend

    Not far off is the 2010 Dayton Hamvention®.  Just about every ham in Ohio and the surrounding states knows about Dayton, and many have attended multiple times.  Hamvention® is an event of importance to MRRC - it was the site of our founding in 1971, continues to be the site of our main meeting each year, and the best chance for eyeball QSOs between members.  As MRRC's history with the Dayton Hamvention® has progressed over the years, the weekend has become one of club events and traditions.  Most MRRCers are familiar with these events, but as new members have joined over the past year, we want to be sure everyone is aware of what's going on with MRRC at the Hamvention®.

    One of the main attractions of Hamvention® is the huge fleamarket: ten plus acres of radio, computer and electronic goodies as far as the eye can see.  Covering the fleamarket can be quite an exhausting experience; the walking alone is enough to wear you out, not to mention the physical effort to carry some treasure that you've purchased.  However, MRRC has come to the aid of the weary fleamarketer: the MRRC Suite In The Sun.

    The idea for the Suite In The Sun arose a number of years ago when MRRC decided to abandon it's traditional hospitality suite downtown at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in favor of something more members could benefit from.  When pondering what to do, then-current MRRC Big Fish Dave, K8CC mused that since most MRRCers spend a large amount of the weekend outside at the fleamarket, a club gathering spot (a "suite" if you will) where members could sit down, rest their feet, and sip a could drink seemed like a good idea.  Jim, K8MR coined the moniker "Suite In The Sun" (often contracted to "SITS") and a club tradition was born.

    As can be seen from the picture to the left, the SITS takes up three fleamarket spaces.  Club member Tim, KE8OC supplies the white canopy, which provides shade and protection from inclement weather.  A club member's vehicle (usually a minivan, SUV or truck) is parked immediately behind the back wall of the canopy to provide a secure space where members can use to store purchases while they walk the fleamarket.  Also on site is a picnic cooler filled with several types of soft drinks for club members and chairs for them to sit down.  The tables at the front of the canopy are there for club members to sell items.  Jim, K8MR and Dave, K8CC along with their teams of cohorts  handle the setup and teardown of the SITS, while all the expenses for the SITS are borne by the club (your club dues at work).  (continued)