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Lee writes -
I regularly attend, and just completed writing a guide for three monthly public electronics swap meets in SoCal. Everything a maker desires can be found here for next to nothing: vintage radios, laptops, gauges, connectors, cables, leads, meters, scopes, tubes, you name it.The largest of the three swaps I track is this Saturday (Feb 24) in Manhattan Beach, CA in the parking lot of Northrop Grumman. I would absolutely LOVE to have a maker crowd there.
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hey lee, i go to the northrop grumman one as often as i can! it's really the best one out there that i've seen.
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They may be "non-social geeks" to you, but to me the W6TRW crowd, and Amateur Radio hobbyists in general, are direct descendants of the first hackers/weekend engineers. Swaps like W6TRW's are hallowed ground... FYI to interested parties - If you're shopping for casemod materials, don't let the seller know WHY you want that fine old Atwater Kent or bakelite/catalin table radio. Keep your MP3 player plans to yourself, otherwise you may be asked to walk the trail of broken tubes - barefoot.
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there's also the ACP computer swapmeet in Santa Ana. last sunday, every other month. lots of misc electronics stuff there. not as good as it used to be but worth a short trip nonetheless.
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Lets see - I've been going to hamfests since I was about five, so, about 26 years now. These aren't any great new thing - they've been around for years and years and, sadly, are being abandoned and falling apart by dwindling numbers of ham radio operators.
If you are looking to set up a similar style meet - I'd encourage you to look to your local hamfests instead, and maybe join ham radio too - to help keep the hobby and maker mentality alive...
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I have been to the Manhattan Beach event many times, ie: last Saturday of the month, N.G. lot -- many people still refer to it as the "TRW swap meet".
It is indeed a treasure trove, and I freely confess to being a geek-at-heart. But I must say that the sheer MAGNITUDE of geekiness found at this event is stunning! I have been known to bring my camera and clandestinely photograph particularly fine specimens of the various geek species. You've got your "nerd geeks", your "bum geeks", your "fat in too small clothes geeks", your "borderline crazy geeks", your "pitiful geeks", your "vintage geeks", your "scary geeks", your "proud geeks". The variety found at this swap meet is worth attending for by itself, and I have done so.
But the merchandise is awesome too. A lot of junk, but some real treasures too. ALWAYS FUN. Go.
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I'd like to see some NorCal swap meets.
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Flea at MIT is a favorite for those in the New England area. Anyone know of anything similar in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area?
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Thats pretty nice to have an electronics swap-meet so often. Down here in Miami the best we have that I know of is the yearly Tropical Hamboree, but it got indefinitely postponed this year due to a date conflict with the Superbowl of all things.
Does anybody know of similar venues in the South Florida area to fill this swap-meet void?
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There's also an ARC/Ham/Electronics Swap Meet down in San Diego County:
El Cajon ARC Swap Meet (aka Santee Swap Meet)
1st & 3rd Saturday of the Month
At the Santee Drive-in Theater at 10990 Woodside Ave. off of Hiway 67. Talk in on 146.52.
Buyers seventy-five cents. Sellers' Gates open 6:00 AM Buyer's Gates open 6:30 AM
FOR INFORMATION CALL 449-SWAP
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in regards to the 02.24.07 posting,
"I'd like to see some NorCal swap meets"
check out:
http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com/
what you'll find here is a more refined, sophisticated, better educated geek vs. the riff-raff in so. cal. many retired/unemployed silicon valley engineers. but as far as selection, bargains etc. are concerned, the so. cal. swap meets win hands down
there's also a swap meet in livermore:
http://www.livermoreark.org/swap/swap.html
good luck and pleasent hunting!
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