My visit to the largest(?) HAM radio event in Europe 2024 is over. This year I could spend the whole Friday to wander around the halls. Overall my impression was that there were fewer exhibitors and visitors than last year 2023, but that's the way our hobby is going to.
Lots
of good looking stuff was up for sale. Being able to enter right in the
first minutes gives higher chances to find what you will consider a
good bargain. And with little experience from past editions you know
where are the usual sellers so you can avoid or run to them, depending
on your needs.
As far as
my long lasting love for gas filled tubes goes, I was surprised to see that Nixies were still available by
the end of the first day even thought the asking price was like Internet
or lower. For the records, used IN-14 at 7€ and ZM1040 at 60€.
Instead
I bought two Dekatrons and then found other 9. They all contain the
right amount of gas. Future will tell if they actually work.
 |
| Additions to my Dekatron collection! |
I
found two HP 5082-730? NOS displays. I don't know the last digit in the
part number as it has been cut away from the packaging.
Last but not least, I got an HP 5512A counter.
 |
| HP 5512A counter sold as working. |
(Note to future self: the Bird part in the picture is for a friend.)
