Well, not really. Hard as it may be to believe, there was once a time when it was possible to fly from Hartford to Cincinnati nonstop on wide Boeing 767s, the cruise ships of the sky. The economics of air travel being what they are today, however, I'll be boarding a Comair Canadair Regional Jet--the Yugos of the airline industry--for the 2-hour ride to Ohio. If you've never flown in a CRJ, let me tell you that the seating is . . . "intimate." I'm a big guy and I'm well acquainted with the looks of dismay as I make my way down the aisle to my seat. ("Oh please, God. Please don't let his seat be next to mine!")

This year my base of operations in Dayton is once again the opulent Casa De Mi Madre. Tonight, for example, I'll be dining on filet of salmon ala Sam's Club and twice-crushed potatoes de Mom.

Hamvention weather is outstanding. Last year we had a smattering of rain on Sunday, but the forecast is for mostly sunny skies all three days. There is a chance of isolated rain showers on Sunday, but a very small chance. Temperatures will be delightful in the mid-70s.

It is 12:40 PM as I am typing this and they are making periodic PA announcements warning everyone that Hamvention will close "... in 20 minutes."

The morning began with overcast and occasional showers, but that ended by 10AM. I was astonished at the number of people who showed up. Sunday is "light" during any Hamvention, but when I strolled into the arena, I still had to defty navigate through the crowds. Of course, these are the folks who know very well that many dealers deep discount on Sunday to deplete their unsold stock.

But now, the party is indeed over. Traffic in the League booth has dwindled to a trickle and nearby booths are tearing down. There is a general sense of weary happiness. Everyone is tired. Everyone feels, as one fellow put it, like "they've been rode hard and put away wet." Still, there is a sense of accomplishment and that lingering aura of Hamvention camaraderie that always remains. People smile, shake hands, grab their bags and briefcases and promise to see you next year. I certainly hope so.

This will be the last entry in the ARRL Hamvention blog. You've been part of an experiment in a type of media activity that Headquarters has never explored before. Judging by the overwhelmingly positive response, I suspect we'll do it again.

See you on the air . . . and 73! -- WB8IMY

I've probably absorbed enough RF today to rearrange my DNA in ways nature never intended. When you're swimming in an ocean of electromagnetic radiation, what can you do?

Some new products have debuted this weekend, but to surprisingly little fanfare. I'm accustomed to seeing promotional signage before you even enter the arena, but such was not the case. The two new products with the most buzz were the Yaesu FT-2000 transceiver and the Elecraft linear amplifier (the model number escapes me at the moment), but I didn't even know of their existence until I picked up the chatter in the ARRL booth.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Dayton is hunting down the neat little gems and deals hiding in the dim corners. I stumbled upon a little company selling a wireless color TV camera the size of your thumb along with a matching 2.4 GHz receiver--both for $50. I'm sitting here trying to figure out how I am going to apologize to my wife because . . . well . . . I HAD to have it! The credit card was in my hands before I knew what was happening. I don't know what came over me!--WB8IMY

Chicken salad sandwich on a soggy coissant. Not great, but better than nothing. I am grateful just to be able to make it through the food line without fainting. (Not from the stench of frying food, but from plunging blood sugar.)

Based on the crowds, Dayton 2006 is a success. Exhibitor opinions are mixed. Some are turning money hand over fist while others are saying "it could be better."

I have a memory card full of photos for you taskmasters! I can only post a few at a time, so here is the first batch... WB8IMY