Subj : Good Place to Find Retro Computers
To   : All
From : mobbyg
Date : Mon Aug 23 2021 05:54:47

Hello all, 

So I wanted to share some insights I had after a recent trip to the local
hamfest (ham radio flea market for non hams). While there I ran into a
gentleman I had bought a Zoom modem off of at a hamfest a few years prior. He
had, at the time I got the modem, which I only paid $1 for, a Vic 20. Well, I
wasn't interested in the Vic20 at the time. I was more focused on getting a
breadbin 64 which I couldn't seem to find online for anything less than
$80-100+ dollars. So I figured, sooner or later I'll get a deal. And I did. I
did some voice over work for a friend and as payment, he sent me an extra C64
and Vic20. Wonderful! It would have cost me like around $200 something
dollars for both, but I got them for reading a page and a half which would go
for about $60. 

Then I run back into John, who I got the modem off of. He had the Vic20 he
had been trying to sell for some time. No clue why anyone hadn't snatched it
up yet, but I asked what he wanted. For a box of cartridges, the user manual,
and some ham radio hardware included. $45. But I only had $30 on me. So he
took $20 and said I can give him the $20 sometime after the hamfest. I said
deal. So after the fest, I went to the ATM at my bank, drove to his house,
and dropped off the $20. $40 for a Vic20 and box of accessories! Powersupply
included! Plus he gifted me a Viking Rad-Amp for my radio studio, but that is
another story... 

But long story short, keep an eye on local Amateur Radio swap meets. There
are always good deals with older tech that may come in handy, and the
occasional retro computer. Plus of course deals on a little more modern ones,
and accessories. Like 20" flat displays for $20. Hams are pack rats, and we
always seem to collect stuff we intend to use and never get around to, and
then the wife makes us sell it off, or we need to make room for more stuff.
LOL. But it's definitely worth the look around one. Especially the one at MIT
in Cambridge that runs every month. 

'nuff said.. 
73. 
Rich, KB2MOB

    |04---- |15Rich Lawrence, KB2MOB
   |14////  |15SysOp of Radio Freqs & Geeks BBS
|01--v|10///   |07-Ham/Shortwav Radio, Tabletop Gaming and General Geekery-
|11\\|02xx/    |08mobbyg@gmail.com

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