Cloudy and cool this morning and, of course, no Internet at the arena. So, this final ARRL Expo blog entry will be posted after the show has ended. (My thanks to the Boston Stoker--very friendly people, nice drinks and a great wifi spot.)

The population is reduced, but that is typical of Dayton on a Sunday. The nice thing about Hamvention Sunday is that you can get a closer look at the most interesting toys--you don't have to shove your way through the crowds or stand on tip-toe

The show wound down to a trickle by noon with the weary crowds dragging hard-earned loot back to their cars. So much humanity, so many things to see. The Dayton Hamvention is, and always has been, a unique experience. It's one thing to see video and images on this blog, but you really have to be here to understand.

Next year, don't sit at home reading a computer screen. Save your pennies, cash in your frequent-flier miles and join the sea of faces. Do it at least once and you'll have something to remember forever. To borrow from Shakespeare's Henry the V . . .

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Hamvention shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We many, we happy many, we band of brothers;
For he today that strolls the aisles of Hara with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen elsewhere now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That walked with us upon Hamvention Days.

Ever wondered how a SteppIR antenna worked? Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5lLnyU15LU

Hamvention Saturday is history. I am so weary, I feel like grabbing a harmonica and belting out a blues song.

The proprietor of Casa De Mi Madre will have none of it, though. I dragged myself to the Inn on the south side of Dayton, only to receive a scolding because I had the gall to leave my bed unmade. I responded, in somewhat strong terms, by suggesting that her priorities may not match mine. She replied by reminding me that she was still capable of stuffing a bar of soap into my mouth. Fair enough.

Hamvention fatigue comes with the territory, but I must say the prevailing mood at the show is positive, more so than I can recall in a long time. I've seen many smiling faces and witnessed numerous pleasant conversations this weekend. Listening to the DARA repeater on the way back from the arena, I heard profuse statements of gratitude.

The best way to describe the atmosphere is exuberant optimism. Hams in Dayton are decidedly upbeat about the future. I hope it continues!

It's another early start tomorrow morning for the last few Hamvention hours...

The buzz on the floor seems to be centering on HF transceivers. Elecraft announced their new K3 HF and 6 meter transceiver. Perhaps transceivers would be a better word. There are so many options (all upgradeable later if you choose) that you can configure anything from a kit-built 10 W portable QRP radio to a fully-featured, contest-ready 100 W rig with two high performance receivers. It is scheduled to ship in July. For more details see www.elecraft.com.

FlexRadio Systems, well known for their line of high-performance software defined radios, introduced the Flex-5000 HF and 6 meter transceiver series promising higher performance and more features. Included are the Flex-5000C, a fully integrated system in a single box, and the Flex-5000D with a second receiver. See www.flex-radio.com for more information.

Hilberling, the first Amateur Radio manufacturer from across the Atlantic for some years, announced their PT-8000 transceiver. This is offered as a full-featured HF and VHF transceiver available in 10, 100 or 600 W versions. It is distributed in North America by Array Solutions, www.arraysolutions.com.

ICOM unveiled their new IC-7700 HF and 6 meter transceiver. This appears to be a single receiver version of their top of the line IC-7800, sharing the 200 W transmitter, high performance receiver and 7 inch display of its sibling. It is being marketed for the "contester," but should be of interest to anyone who coveted the features of the deluxe IC-7800, but didn't need two receivers, or its price tag. For more see www.icomamerica.com.

Ten-Tec displayed their new Omni-VII HF and 6 meter transceiver. Their new "distributed roofing filter architecture" promises ham-band only receive performance with a general coverage receiver. Find out more at www.tentec.com.

Uploading a few more photos with this posting to the delightful background music of Charlie Daniel's "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."

"If you win you git that shiny fiddle made of gold, but if you lose, the Devil gits yer soul!

Ah, Dayton ambiance!

I am sitting in a little shop called the Boston Stoker north of Dayton, sipping a strawberry smoothie and uploading video clips. I hated to leave the Hamvention site to do this, but I had no choice. Hope you enjoy!

For some sights and sounds of Saturday, including the ICOM robot girls, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg1huE6HwzI

For a peek at the Elecraft K3 transceiver, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUxhVKfXf4k

The new ICOM IC-7700 is featured here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EYXR5UyCrY

Timewave is about to release a Bluetooth wireless remote. See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTX9qXeWZr4

A new goodie from Kenwood here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joHh7N1Qcj0