Dunstable Downs car boot sale discussion thread - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 08:05:00 am
content: It probably makes sense to have a thread for this.I'm planning on being there with an assortment of little things and cheap heavy things that don't make sense to sell online given shipping costs.I'll haveAssorted transformers suitable for making linear PSUsA big pile of cables including many SMA to SMA of various lengths.and quite a lot of other bits

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 10:11:42 am
content: For anyone who missed the original thread -http://www.ddrcbootsale.org/One of the last remaining half-decent electronics junk sales in the UK.I'll be there clearing out soem stuff at "I dont want to take it home" prices and will have some stuff free if unsold.Look for a black Mondeo estate with a roofrack.

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 10:49:48 am
content: I had no idea that sort of thing still even existed.See you there. Also, probably three depressed children and an equally depressed looking wifeHaving not been to one of those sorts of things since the Enfield Lock leisure center stopped hosting them, can you still get large bags of mixed discrete components for a couple of quid at them? My entire supply used to come from that sort of thing

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 05:25:15 pm
content: Quote from: smjcuk on April 28, 2015, 10:49:48 amA reason that DDRC is still there and most others have died is that the stall fees are very cheap, so a large proportion of the sellers are people clearing stuff out as opposed to regular traders.The older rallies that had to charge stall fees that could cover hall rentals were basically killed off by ebay

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 05:31:14 pm
content: Makes sense. Annoyingly though the grab bags of components that appear on eBay are pretty crap these days.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 06:29:07 pm
content: I'm planning on going tohttp://www.westrally.org.uk/in Frome, Somerset. It looks reasonable, but I haven't been before.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 06:50:12 pm
content: I'll be in a black Saab 9-3I've also found a big stash of high power resistors and some old analogue meters. If anyone wants any test gear bringing to save on shipping fees then just ask.

author: JackP
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 06:57:34 pm
content: Looks like it'll be the bus from St Neots if I want to go. Anyone know how to get there (LU1 4LX I think if I read the website correctly)?!

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 07:33:36 pm
content: Quote from: JackP on April 28, 2015, 06:57:34 pmThere's a bus map here. If you take the 1 or 4 and get off at Stockwood park that should leave you need the visitor entrance to the sale. I suspect that the buses will have Farley Hill on the front, but check with the driver. I've not used a bus in Luton in a long long time.http://www.travelluton.co.uk/downloads/WEB-Luton_Bus_Map_jan_2015.pdf

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 07:37:34 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on April 28, 2015, 06:50:12 pmExcellent. After a meter movement or two.I'll be in the broken down Fiat on the A406

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 08:09:18 pm
content: i'll be there too with a couple of friendsi was thinking about booking a plot but i dont think i really have enough stuff to sell at the moment

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 09:21:42 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on April 28, 2015, 06:50:12 pmIve been searching ebay last couple of days for a largeish analogue meter that the front and scale can be removedits to make an RF meter, do you have anything suitable ?

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 09:37:14 pm
content: Snap. I can't find a single thing I can get the front off that's new. They're all tiny and it's all 0-10v or 0-1mA stuff on the scale as well which makes little sense.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 09:52:13 pm
content: I'll bring one back from the lock up when I'm next down there and put some pics up.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 08:56:10 pm
content: I've just picked up a defluxer and other bits to bring.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 11:05:09 pm
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on April 28, 2015, 08:09:18 pmCome park up with me, i booked two plots just in case. i could do with a helping hand.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 11:21:36 pm
content: Yes, it's a real pain to do these things single-handed - if nothing else you'll want to have a run round to see if there are any bargains ( to keep, or just sell on your stall!)Another handy hint, take plenty of change, fivers etc - punters never have enough change. I've been paying twenties in every shop I've visited for the last week or so!Don't forget food, water and (if the weather looks good) hat/sunscreenOn-site food is limited to a burger van (often with long queue) and an ice cream van.Also plenty of bags if you're selling small stuff.Things tend to start dying out around 1-2PM, or when the weather looks like turning. I usually aim to get there around 9, by which time about half the stallholders have arrived.Be prepared for vultures to crowd round as you start unloading!

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 11:27:51 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 06, 2015, 11:21:36 pmWhere I live now £1 coins are the currency of choice!!But yes I can see why having two people on a stall would be very useful for all sorts of reasons.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 11:57:10 am
content: Quote from: TopLoser on May 06, 2015, 11:05:09 pmsuredont mind helping, maybe i should have a scout around some of my stuff and bring it along

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 12:28:16 pm
content: Everyone knows Mike, of course, but might other EEVBlog stalwarts consider wearing a badge, or some more subtle means of identifying fellow forum members?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 12:30:37 pm
content: Quote from: rolycat on May 09, 2015, 12:28:16 pmT-shirts...?

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 01:29:56 pm
content: It would be helpful if we can all manage to park together, not sure on the logistics

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 01:38:34 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on May 09, 2015, 01:29:56 pmThat may be tricky - They fill up a row at a time in order of arrival - gaps between rows will be full of people wandering round so it's difficult to slot in later. Also no obvious reference points to communicate where you are.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 02:11:46 pm
content: Well my two tickets arrived in the post today. Car will be full of CRAP (Customer Returns Already Processed) and assorted random stuff that must go at any price.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 02:27:52 pm
content: Looks like it could be an interesting weekend, it turns out i am driving from Manchester to Castle Combe Circuit on Saturday morning then over to Dunstable where there is a premier inn waiting, only 454 miles round trip back to home on Sunday!its probably best to just get parked up where ever and everyone just meet up later

author: SNGLinks
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 02:36:13 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 09, 2015, 12:30:37 pmAs mentioned earlier I'll be wearing my 'Negative Feedback' T-shirt but spending some time at the BATC stand.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 02:45:47 pm
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on May 09, 2015, 02:27:52 pmIf you're going for the Premier Inn just off Jn 9 of the M1, there's an "interesting" pub just up the road.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 02:46:34 pm
content: I've started sorting and weeding - should pretty much fill the Mondeo estate again...

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 03:00:47 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on May 09, 2015, 02:45:47 pmit's Dunstable South on the A5 about 6 km further up from J9does interesting mean fine beers or sticky carpets?i should be there early evening i guess so maybe up for venturing out, it depends how hectic the day has been

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 03:53:42 pm
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on May 09, 2015, 03:00:47 pmThe stickiness of the carpet depends on how clean the day's strippers are.

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 06:58:48 pm
content: i would love to go but not able tomaybe take some pmr walkie talkies with you and meet up on a set channel ?

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 07:24:13 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on May 09, 2015, 03:53:42 pmLOL! sounds classy!Quote from: Flump on May 09, 2015, 06:58:48 pmnot a bad idea, have been meaning to get a pair

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2015, 10:32:07 pm
content: So who's coming along?I've found a pile of firestick type soldering irons to go with all the other items I'll be bringing.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2015, 10:42:42 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on May 15, 2015, 10:32:07 pmI'm still up for it. Don't expect an array of high value stuff at rock bottom prices though, can't imagine too many people walking round with £££ in their pockets.Can bring expensive stuff down if people want to ask in advance.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2015, 11:46:13 pm
content: Quote from: TopLoser on May 15, 2015, 10:42:42 pmWeather forecast looks OK cloudy, which is ideal - if very sunny it can be too hot & people decide (or get "decided" by SWMBO) to do other things in the sun than walk around a boot sale!As you say, you rarely see stuff over a couple of hundred quid, and that's often hopeless optimism by the seller!

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 05:43:35 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on May 15, 2015, 10:32:07 pmDefinitely going to be thereHave cash and a desire for some junk!

author: SNGLinks
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 06:34:57 am
content: I'll be on the BATC stand. Amongst the Amateur TV related items will be NOS UPSs.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 07:18:17 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 15, 2015, 11:46:13 pmApart from some new old stock Amprobe multimeters that I'd like £25 for, most of my stuff will be only a few pounds. For me it's more of a clear out of things that aren't worthwhile spending £10 shipping.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 07:55:02 am
content: Don't forget us lot, hoping that one of you kind fellows might be our eyes and ears on the day by taking some pictures or maybe even some video.Looking forward to a day out in the English country side via remote...There's an idea, whom amongst you has a drone handy.Muttley

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 08:29:40 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on May 16, 2015, 07:55:02 amIt's a park on the edge of Luton. It's my home town, so I'm allowed to call it a crap hole, but it's my crap hole and I'll defend the place, but it's still a crap hole. The park is primarily a place that hosts a dozen soccer pitches, where every Sunday morning through the season there'll be teams of mates attempting to kick the opposition of the park as a way of wearing off their hangovers. I know, I spent many a Sunday morning on pitch E doing my best to kick balls as hard as possible.Somehow it also has the best council owned golf course in the country.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 10:03:57 am
content: Fair enough, still a good day out by the sound of it, we might drop the drone idea, don't want to upset the golfers.We have a trash and treasure market about 10 minutes away every Sunday and the neighbour goes every week and always wants me to go along for a look, anyway one week I went and as we entered I recognised the fellow monitoring the gate and he said to me "watch out, we have a thief in our midst ", I replied without hesitation "what, only one, their all bloody thieve's up here ", true story.Muttley

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 11:08:21 am
content: fked off i cant go as i only live about 20 miles away,its gonna be awesome though, would be great ifsomeone can do a short vblog about it

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 01:35:58 pm
content: I should be there. I'm too lazy to put a stall up but know a few locals who will have good stuff. I'll recognise Mike but I've only dealt with KJDS by proxy, so I look forward to saying hello.

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 04:58:29 pm
content: I'm out. I sliced off the top of my thumb this morning whilst trying to dismantle a laminated transformer. In no mood for driving this weekendDoh

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 05:45:27 pm
content: Doh. I passed over several lovely bits of cauterising equipment the other day. Could have sorted you out in no time.I could still bring a gas stove.

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 06:05:59 pm
content: Quote from: artag on May 16, 2015, 05:45:27 pmThat'd have done the trick. 3M steri-strips nicked from the local A&E's fix up trolley after my last accident FTWDay gets worse - just scared the poop out of myself and narrowly avoided a shrapnel injury by blowing up a nice 100uF philips axial electrolytic sticking it the wrong bloody way round.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 06:38:39 pm
content: Quote from: smjcuk on May 16, 2015, 06:05:59 pmCome to Luton, it'll be safer. ...which I suspect is a sentence never before constructed.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 07:44:02 pm
content: All packed - a little space left, must have a quick final rummage for some more (light) bits to fill the space.

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2015, 10:26:16 pm
content: that fan on top would make a good hover board project

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 12:28:11 pm
content: Sat in the car park ready to head home.I tried to video as much as i could, will post it up as soon as i get a chance.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 12:30:46 pm
content: Waiting for that then to show up in my feed.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 02:47:10 pm
content: Just returned from the sale - excellent weather and a few good finds.Some pics:Overview of the site:Busy browsers:Literal (ex) museum pieces:Some old ham gear:Random kit:More antiques:The white heat of technology:Old CPU chips (6502, Z80, huge 64-pin 68000, etc.):Mildly sunburned seller:Mike aka mikeselectricstuff:Kev aka KJDS:Ian aka TopLoser:

author: SNGLinks
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 03:08:31 pm
content: Rather windy - one of our tables blew over!

author: AudioplatinumService
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 03:13:46 pm
content: I bet that Ian aka. TopLoser had the most stuff for sale than anyone else...

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 04:20:16 pm
content: That was fun, cleared out a load of stuff, met a few good people and meant I didn't have to spend half the day sorting out the girlfriends broken exhaust.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 04:58:31 pm
content: Of the three, I think Mike got rid of the biggest pile due to his aggressive price-reduction techniques (at one point he proposed that anything picked from the free pile for examination had to be taken away). The others weren't far behind. A pretty good sale from the buyer's point of view, though I think the traders would have liked it to be busier.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 08:34:46 pm
content: was nice to see everyone in person, was a bit of a long days driving and an expensive jolly-day-out, but it's good to do these things sometimes. My friends who were supposed to come along pulled out at the last minute too!Mike had a very nice ex military thermal camera on show, hopefully it will make it to his channel??@Ian & Kev, sorry i meant to come back and have a proper chat but i picked up some cable off Mike, took it back to the car... got distracted... etc etci have about 30 mins of video wandering around before my battery went flat because i forgot to charge it last nightI will do a quick hatchet job editing it and get it uploadedi'll probably plan to be there next year with some of my own items

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 09:55:02 pm
content: My first time there, was a bit of a shock seeing what utter crap people have accumulated over the last 100 years!! Bit of a warning to me so I'm glad I sold or gave away just about everything I hauled down there. Now I've seen what the punters want I could quite happily shift another load tomorrow, and the day after.Only thing I didn't dispose of was a nice 13A variac, will be posted for sale here when I can be arsed.Car did 52mpg on the way down there and 68mpg on the way back, I guess that's an indication of how much 'stuff' I got rid of!Lovely weather and nice to see some familiar faces.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 10:03:10 pm
content: Quote from: TopLoser on May 17, 2015, 09:55:02 pmA few more sales and I might be able to afford a car with a working fuel gauge.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2015, 10:33:52 pm
content: Quote from: TopLoser on May 17, 2015, 09:55:02 pmLet me know what you want for it & I'll post a message to the UK tesla coil mailing list - big variacs (aka herniacs) are always in demand there!

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 07:41:45 pm
content: just me wandering around, i wasn't paying particular attention to what i was filming as i was looking at the items for sale

author: SNGLinks
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 09:00:42 pm
content: Good video but you missed the BATC stand.

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 09:14:33 pm
content: Count me as officially annoyed that I couldn't goAre there any similar events during the year?

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 09:22:35 pm
content: A fair few -http://www.g4rga.org.uk/All.htmlMost are not as good as the DDRC one, but if they're local they're worth a try.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 09:43:11 pm
content: Quote from: SNGLinks on May 18, 2015, 09:00:42 pmGood to see that my knees made the video

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 09:43:27 pm
content: Thanks for the link. Kempton one is 10 mins from me. Worth a bash by the looks.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 07:06:48 am
content: Quote from: artag on May 18, 2015, 09:22:35 pmThanks for the link! Looks like there are some local to Manchester

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 08:18:43 am
content: Thanks very much guys for the fine pictures and video of what looks like a good day had by all, a bit more human interaction would have been nice in the video but I can always compensate for that when she gets home. The video itself made me realise how difficult a task it must have been to both look at stuff and record it simultaneously, certainly not an easy job, not for me anyway, well done.I think a pot of tea and a batch of scones are in order.Many Thanks, The journey was very much appreciated.Muttley

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 08:48:27 am
content: Don't think I have ever seen so many wallpaper tables in one place

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 09:00:54 am
content: Quote from: smjcuk on May 18, 2015, 09:43:27 pmKempton's OK, a lot less junk than there appears to be at Dunstable Downs: there seemed to be a lot of that at DD based on the video. One man's junk is another man's treasure I suppose!

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 09:04:23 am
content: Quote from: Howardlong on May 19, 2015, 09:00:54 amThe reason is indoor venues have to cover a lot more cost so stall fees are generally higher.DD is cheap enough to bring out people having a clearout, rather than traders trying to run a business, which is where most of the bargains are.

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 09:23:30 am
content: I'm after parts myself i.e. components more than equipment. These may be considered junkBack in the 90s I used to hit the radio fairs in North London at the Enfield Lock leisure center and one in Essex but I can't remember where that was. Used to snag massive 1kg bags of discretes and linear components for a couple of quid. That's the sort of stuff I'm after to be honest, including inflation they should be about 5-7 quid now if they exist. It's much cheaper than my current £40 a month bill across CPC and bitsbox.Biggest regret actually. I went to one and a trader had a pile of ex-DSS HP 71B handheld computers for a quid each with RAM packs and barcode readers. I bought one, wore it out and thought nothing of chucking it in the bin. Turns out they're going for £100-200 on ebay. That pile was worth about £10-20k on that basis! Should have snagged the lot and taken them home on the bus.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 02:49:17 pm
content: Of course the year I ccouldn't get down looked good, but non-electronic projects are dominating spare time at the moment.Will try harder next year!

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 03:12:39 pm
content: Quote from: smjcuk on May 19, 2015, 09:23:30 amSounds like Picketts Lock, I think it was torn down for the Lympix, that show attracted too many overweight middle aged men you see, not the svelte pro athlete types.In the good old days, in the 80s, Leicester had a massive one at the Granby Halls, another venue that was a victim of the Lympix. Hmm, there's a pattern forming.In the late 80s, a lot of the radio stuff was replaced with computer gear, but the ratio of radio gear to computer gear has remained fairly static for some years now.Further afield, Friedrichshafen is the best in Europe but it's not that easy to get to. A superb selection of bits and pieces. Ryanair used to do direct flights if you were desperate. Alternatively go to Zurich and get a rentals. Last weekend was Dayton Hamvention. i usually go but not this year. The flea market is like nothing else, although it's not as big as it once was ten years or so ago. Recent gas prices have made it uneconomic for long journeys, but many people did exactly that, fill up their ute with junk, and drive 2,000 miles there and back.

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 03:46:30 pm
content: That's the one - it was indeed Picketts lock. Smelled of poo around there if I remember.Friedrichshafen is interesting. My uncle runs a hotel in Zurich (I've got some Swiss blood in me) so that would make a nice holiday. Not sure the other half and the kids would appreciate the diversion - perhaps if I don't tell them until we get thereMy Fiat does 52mpg so I reckon it's doable by car without getting a loan. There's 5 of us so flights are going to be pricey. What are euro fuel prices like these days? I drove out that way a few years ago and it didn't hurt too badly, apart from having to empty childrens' bladders every 100 miles.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 07:33:53 pm
content: Years ago Picketts Lock was THE radio rally. 3 big halls packed with stuff, queues round the block an hour before opening.Like most others it declined over the years, accelerated by high venue fees, and a couple of venue changes towards the end (Ware and Stevenage I think) put the final nails in the coffin.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 07:38:45 pm
content: QuoteI remember going to that rally (on a coach trip!) in 1985 when I was a spotty studentIt was held over 2 days.The first rally I ever went to was the classic Drayton Manor rally in the early 80s where I bought a Tek 585 scope, and an Marconi frequency counter. In those days it was a brilliant rally and I went most years until the late 90s. I used to do to several rallies a year for maybe 15 years but they went downhill by the mid to late 90s.Looking at DL's video the DD boot/rally looks like a time warp to a bygone era. Probably my biggest surprise was the fact that the vintage of the radio gear and test gear on offer at this rally has hardly changed from the rallies of 30 years ago...Sadly, what IS missing is the 'buzz' from all those years ago. In the 80s the rallies had a bit more life to them and the traders were much more active with their sales pitch. There were far more punters and lots more 'surplus' bargains on offer back then. Happy days...I watched the whole video and two minor items caught my eye. Some digital weighing scales for a fiver and a 1990s MiniCircuits IF/RF designers handbook. The MiniCircuits reps used to give me one of these every year at work but I foolishly threw mine away a few years ago. I'd have paid a quid for one of those just for the nostalgia

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 07:43:16 pm
content: Quote from: smjcuk on May 19, 2015, 03:46:30 pmThat depends where you fuel up. Luxembourg is about the cheapest at around 1.20 per litre (IIRC). The rest is more around 1.60 per litre. If you go through the canal tunnel be sure to bring a credit card along to pay for the toll for the French motorways. You can pay with cash but that takes forever. Count on spending around 50 euro each way.Maybe it's cheaper to just browse around on Ebay.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 07:58:22 pm
content: St Neots (Huntingdon) was dying out but seems to have got a new lease of life with the move from the car park to the field behind the school. Can be badly affected by weather though, being on the notoriously unreliable August bank holiday. Rugby used to be a favourite and I thought it had finished, but apparently it's doing well. Must try again this year. Cambridge Repeater Group was another excellent one, but has faded somewhat since moving away from the Philips site. Cambridge Radio Club also can be good but I think is suffering from venue costs. I've been to a a couple of the McMichael ones and enjoyed them. I haven't tried the northern ones, but northern Model Engineer's shows are the best.eBay took a lot of good trade and junk away from the rallies, but as they push up prices and worsen conditions for selling, I think people are returning to them. If you have a lot of heavy, junky, cheap stuff to shift (and that's what I go to rallies to find), ebay is a poor choice. Some of the weaker ones have gone and the remains are better for it.I see Dave's got a classified and an auction section now. It will be interesting to see how that goes - given the traffic here, it might be very useful. We need a realistic alternative to ebay and I've seen great success on another specialist site,www.homeworkshop.org.uk.

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 09:44:00 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on May 19, 2015, 07:43:16 pmThanks for the info. Much appreciated.Probably is cheaper to browse around on ebay but half the fun as a Euro road trip