If you are bringing an FM rig to Dayton, you'll have plenty of repeaters to choose from. There must be two dozen in Montgomery County alone on 2 meters, 1.25 meters and 70 cm. Heck, they even have a 10-meter FM repeater! (Of course, if you had an ARRL Repeater Directory, you'd know this. Sorry--I couldn't resist.)

You'll find most of the action on 2 meters. Among the high-profile 2-meter machines in the Dayton area are (call sign, output frequency, offset)...

WC8OH, 145.11, -600

KD8SI, 145.30, -600

WB8CQK, 146.64, -600

WA8PLZ, 146.82, -600

WB8CQK, 146.91, -600

W8BI, 146.94, -600

WB8SMC, 147.135, +600

WA8PLZ, 147.36, +600

Oh, and that 10-meter repeater is WF8M on 29.640 MHz.

The Hamvention folks have a terrific repeater list, and a map, on their Web site. Hamvention talk-in will be on the W8BI repeater.

One repeater that is special to me is WB8SMC. That machine belongs to the Far Out Amateur Radio Club, of which I was a co-founder in 1973. Far Out coalesced from a bunch of disenfranchised high-school hams who had managed to get themselves sideways with most of the Amateur Radio establishment in the area. Looking back from the vantage point of 33 years, we were probably insufferable with our non-stop discussions of rock n' roll. We drove the older hams right over the edge and, finally, one of them suggested (pleaded?) that we should build our own repeater--which is exactly what we did.

The wheel of time and karma turns, and now the disenfranchised are the franchised. Those "FM punks" (as one cranky ham addressed us) have slouched into their 40s and even 50s. I no longer hear sullen, smart-alecky teenagers wreaking conversational havoc on repeaters these days. We need to find some and get them on the air. Otherwise, who will be the object of my scorn 30 years hence? I long for the day when I'll be able wave my cane in the air and cry, "Get off my repeater, you disrespectful #$&%# FM punks!"

Most of the ARRL Headquarters crew will be staying at the Doubletree Hotel in Dayton. The Doubletree is a pleasant hotel, but frankly, my tastes run a bit more upscale.

While in Dayton I'll be lodging at the exclusive Casa De Mi Madre south of town. When you must travel on business, why not enjoy the best? I'll be sleeping on an opulent pullout sofa bed, dining on succulent hot dogs washed down with cold Pepsi and accessing the Internet on a blazing 33 kbps dial-up connection in the cozy Oficina Minúscula De Mi Hermana. Rooms at the Casa De Mi Madre are maintained at a comfy temperature that precisely matches the age of the proprietor--85. Room service is always available simply by bellowing, "Hey Mom!"

As a native Daytonian, let me offer a few dining tips to inbound Hamventioners. Of course, these are my opinions, but they are based on years of dissipated living in the Gem City, eating whatever I pleased and postponing the consequences to middle age.

Steak: The Pine Club near the University of Dayton is the best steakhouse, bar none. Call now if you plan to go because reservations can be difficult, especially on weekends.

Mexican: Elsa's, with two locations at 6318 Far Hills Ave and 3618 Linden Ave. Delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine at reasonable prices. If you like your food really hot, ask for the "green salsa." They never put it on the table straight away--due to injury liability issues, I suppose. If they have it available that evening, try living on the wild side, but be careful.

Pizza: Here is where I am going to get into trouble. People have strong feelings about pizza and I am no exception. My choice? Marion's! This is a thin, cracker-crust pizza. You can't beat it with a bread stick. There are several locations around town. Check the Yellow Pages or just get on any repeater and ask, "Where is the nearest Marion's Pizza?"

Seafood: Take a drive to Jay's in the quaint Oregon District downtown. Like any great restaurant, it tends to be packed to the "gills" on the weekends.

Italian: Domenic's, 1066 S Main St across from the Fairgrounds downtown. This restaurant has a special place in my heart. I once took a young college girl to Domenic's for a date and she ended up marrying me. Oh, and the food is good, too.

Gourmet: None other than L'Auberge on Far Hills in the suburb of Kettering. Leave the H-Ts and jeans in your hotel room if you plan to dine at L'Auberge. Don't worry about the cost. Just pack a wad of greenbacks sufficient to choke a horse or a credit card with a high limit. And if you order wine, sniff the cork and carefully study the fluid in your glass before giving that knowing nod to the waiter--even if you can't tell the difference between premium vino and Mad Dog 20/20.--WB8IMY

People have debated the science of Hamvention weather for decades, but there really is nothing out of the ordinary involved. After all, mid May is mid spring. Spring brings a clash of weather patterns as winter is dragged kicking and screaming into summer. The result is a high degree of instability. This simply means that anything can happen and usually does.

I've experienced Hamventions that were blazing hot, with our brother hams sporting T-shirts, shorts and sunscreen. (Not always a pretty sight.) I have also endured Hamventions that served up bone-chilling cold with a side order of torrential rain.

So what is in store for Hamvention 2006? At T-minus 90 hours it is too soon to predict reliably. Of course, that doesn't stop meteorologists from trying. My guess is that we're looking at partly cloudy skies and maybe a bit of rain here and there, with highs near 60 degrees.

That's really not bad when you think about it. I'll take cool overcast in the fleamarket over insufferable sun any day. I don't think we're looking at Biblical downpours--no need to request a parking pass for your ark--just an occasional rain that amounts to an annoyance.

As we get closer (say, within 48 hours) the weather situation will become clearer.--WB8IMY