Special Announcement

this could be our last year to broadcast.

W5KUB has been broadcasting the Dayton Hamvention and Huntsville Hamfest for 10 years. We have really learned a lot and made a lot of improvements from the early days of limited bandwidth, no audio, and no chat room. Technology is getting better every year and that also means I am getting older each year.  I am nearing retirement and will have reduced funding to continue these events.  I have never wanted to ask for donations but that may be what it takes if we continue broadcasting these events.

The event is a major amount of work for me. I will start working on equipment, rounding up prize donors, sending out correspondence, and gearing up for the live broadcast several months before we go live. During the show, I will spend 100 % of my time behind the camera or keeping the broadcast on the air. Since I started doing this, I have not personally seen any of the hamfest like I used to enjoy doing. This is totally my decision and I like doing this so others who can not attend will be able to have some fun and be a part of these events.

Expenses have climbed through the roof over the past few years. It personally costs me approx $1500 to put this event on. Examples of some cost are: hotel for 4 nights $520, gas for the 1100 miles round trip $200, fleamarket spaces $210, Tickets $70, Food, misc, bandwidth, batteries, cables, supplies,etc $400. We are not part of Hamvention and we get nothing from them. Last year several of you donated to our broadcast and although it didn't come near paying for expenses, we really appreciated it and I wrote each of you a personal letter thanking you for the donation.

I would like to ask everyone to please consider donating a little if you can. Also I'm looking for any ideas or sponsors who might help.  If you know of any company or person who would like to sponsor these broadcast please let me know. All prizes that get donated to the broadcast are passed on directly to our viewers. W5KUB does not keep or make any money on the prizes.

My goal is to try to receive at least $1000 in donations this year to go towards the $1500 expense. If I can get that, I will continue to subsidize the difference in cost.

I just want to say thanks so much to all our viewers out there. We have had a lot of fun. No one is obligated to donate but we now need the help if you can.