It all started in May of 2007. It was Sunday about noon and FDIM 2007 was about over. We sat down and discussed FDIM 2008. Some of us took about 4 months off, others were busy finding presenters, confirming the hotel requirements and rounding up volunteers. Then close to the end of the year the whole crew went into action. We built an improved registration system for both vendors and participants, rounded up door prizes, finalized logistics and interfaced with the hotel for reservations . . .

Next thing you know, it's May 2008. About noon on Wednesday, folks started arriving. Several of the early to arrive were recruited to help setup registration and insert the badges into the plastic holders. This is a simple task, the year before several of the spouses sat down at a large table and inserted and sorted the badges in about an hour. This year we had four of five engineers helping with the task, and it took 3 hours. But it was all ready before registration started in the early evening.

We held off opening registration until we were ready to print the necessary badges, and off we were. In the mean time, I found out that the Fosters was under lock and key until it was released by one of our crew. A little pleading with the barmaid, I was the proud holder of a cold one. Approximately 70% of the Thursday morning seminar folks registered on Wednesday evening. We had space for some meeting and greeting, and it was well used. A lot of us don't see one another from one year to the next, so there are a lot of tall stories to be told. I believe fun was had by all. I believe we did a good job of introducing new attendees, but we can always do better. It's hard to get the rhythm of the event the first time you attend. But once settled in, I believe most were happy with the Wednesday evening registration.

Thursday morning was an early one for the registration volunteers, but for everyone else, most staying at the hotel, the 8:30 starting time was convenient. The content of the seminars was a great mix of high tech and operating. Each hour was filled with informative information.

Thursday evening we opened up the large meeting room with speakers, vendors and a bunch of QRP fans. More storytelling, making new friends and learning one on one about the days seminar topics or the products and services of the many QRP vendors.

For most of us Friday morning was the first opportunity to visit the hamfest. So it was breakfast and then loading up the vehicles and heading out. For those of us that planned to participate in the kit building project, it was a short morning, as we starting learning about our kits and laying out the parts not long after lunch. The instructions were well written and there was plenty of help to help correct any mistakes or try to keep us from making mistakes. You can't believe the competition in milliamp output comparison. Each transistor was squeezed to the smoking point to see who had the most output. It was a fun afternoon.

Friday evening we were back in the large meeting room with more guests, more vendors and a few new stories that missed Thursday evening. We had a CW with the left foot contest, where we put a few of the braggers to a test of their CW ability with a computerized monitoring program, and we had a chance to view with amazement and cast our ballot for our favorite home brew project. We also had a chance to view projects and speak with the builders of several projects that were not being judged.

Saturday during the day, most of us went back over to the arena for the hamfest. Although many stayed at the hotel and enjoyed the hospitality room or mixed and mingled with the Stitch in Dayton folks. We are by far the most noticeable group at the hotel, and they took great care to be sure we were comfortable. Saturday afternoon the working crew prepared the door prizes and made other final arrangements for the banquet. We filled the banquet hall with tables and best I could count, there was only one vacant seat. The food was good and the service was great. After filling our bellies, Our fearless leader took to the podium and gave his welcoming talk and made a few announcements.

Hall of Fame announcements:


Sunday morning found many of us back over to the arena. Some went back to shop, some to pack and some to wait for the prize drawings. But many ate breakfast and headed for home.