If you live in the Chicago area or are within driving distance (even beyond) this is the event you can't miss. I'll post a link to the club web page below (if you admins do not mind), but here's the run down:
You can also contact me at my EMAIL address: n9vu at hotmail dot com
http://www.antique-radios.org/radiofest_2019.htmlJust like 2018, we will start the action with our Friday night auction,
followed on Saturday morning by the swap meet through mid-afternoon. The swap meet
will again be located in its own large parking lot at the west end of the facility. There
will be plenty of seller spaces available with lots of room between rows for maneuvering
a small truck or a vehicle with a trailer. The sellers’ lot is also totally out of the main
traffic flow, which is good for those walking around the swap meet. The pavement will
be marked with parking spaces and continues to be in excellent physical condition.
Directly adjacent to the sellers’ lot is the main parking lot, with over 170 spaces available
for buyers and visitors. It is an easy walk from one lot to the other, with plenty of spaces
available. This parking layout is well-suited for Radiofest!
AUCTION: The opening night auction will be in the Medinah Crescent Ballroom,
with overflow space in the adjacent Medinah Music Room. The large quantity and
excellent quality of items available in the auction make this a “must attend” event. You
never know what you will find here, including rare and highly collectible items. Jim
Sargent from VRPS is returning to co-manage the auction. Auction start time this year
is 6pm. See the detailed write-up “MAIN AUCTION ON FRIDAY NIGHT” by Auction
Coordinator John Stone in this issue for Auction details and rules. Watch future issues
of ARCI NEWS and the ARCI website for updated auction information.
PROGRAMS: Our speakers’ programs, contest, and display will occur throughout
the day on Saturday, followed by the Carl & Carolyn Knipfel banquet on Saturday night.
Radiofest 2019 speakers’ programs will feature three sessions, with a break during the
noon hour. Programs will include topics on E. H. Scott in the Art Deco Era, Building
and Auditioning a Chinese Single-Ended Stereo EL34 Amplifier and the Bill Ross Ham
Forum with a special presentation on how the Chicago-based Shure Brothers Company
moved from a war-based economy to an extremely successful, peace-time business in
the years 1946 to 1955. In addition, Shure Ham/Communications microphones will be
on display at the Ham Forum.
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DISPLAY: This year, Radiofest 2019 will commemorate Art Deco and Machine
Age Electronics. Chances are if you have been around antique radios for a while, you
have one or more of these in your collection. Almost all radio manufacturers made at
least a few models that could be considered Art Deco or Machine Age. Do you have nice
examples of these sets you might be interested in sharing in the display? Along with the
radio, any related documentation such as the instruction manual, advertising literature and
even the original box would enhance the display. Be sure to read the other articles in this
issue about the Display, and Art Deco and Machine Age styling. Watch future issues of
ARCI NEWS and the ARCI website for additional information and you can expect to
receive periodic email blasts reminding you to polish up and bring your entries for the
Contest and Display.
CONTEST: This year’s contest categories will include the Art Deco and Machine
Age items brought in for display and other categories listed in the “RADIOFEST 2019
CONTEST CATEGORIES” table in this issue.
APPRAISALS: In addition to our popular appraisal tent, there will be a special
road show-style event to appraise microphones by Shure Corporate Historian Michael
Pettersen at 10am on Saturday in Room B.
SPECIAL EVENT HAM RADIO STATION Once again we will set up an
outdoor ham station featuring vintage equipment with special ARCI club call letters
WA9RCI.
DONATIONS: The usual donation auction will be held late in the afternoon on
Saturday. But, keep in mind that you may purchase donated items throughout the day via
the ongoing donation sale without having to wait for the actual donation auction. Either
way, your purchase will likely be a bargain! See further details in this issue. We are always
looking for suggestions on ways to improve it. If you have a good idea, please contact
Steve Muchow at
smuchow@att.net.
BANQUET: This year’s banquet promises to be one of the best ever! The Banquet
Buffet menu has been enhanced to include Hand Carved Round of Beef, Hand Carved
Honey Glazed Ham, Boneless Chicken Breast-Herbed Lemon (Marinated in lemon &
herbs topped with Cognac cream sauce, Parmesan Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Penne with
Marinara Sause, Green Beans Almandine, Tossed Salad, Fruit Salad, Italian Pasta Salad,
Rolls with Butter, Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate Topping. Beverage choices will be
coffee, tea, Iced Tea and soft drinks. And…by popular demand, the entertainment selection
for the Saturday Night banquet is “LEGACY 3”, a popular female vocal trio that uses
three-part harmony to bring to life the music of the 40s, 50s and 60s. So come prepared
for a great meal, wonderful entertainment, and an all-around good time with your ARCI
friends!
5 CLUBS: Once again, we will team up with the Wisconsin Antique Radio Club,
Inc. (WARCI), the Vintage Radio and Phonograph Society (VRPS) of Dallas, Texas and
the Antique Wireless Association (AWA). Radiofest will be co-sponsored by four
important clubs, making it truly THE national event of the summer!
UPDATES: Watch for additional Radiofest 2019 information in future editions of
the ARCI NEWS, Radiofest mailings and our ARCI web site
www.antique-radios.org.
With our wonderful location and our dedicated team of ARCI volunteers, you can
understand why we are enthusiastic as we plan for our largest event. So, mark your
calendars and start making plans to attend! Please feel free to contact me at
smuchow@att.net should you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.