To help things run smoothly this year and to try to bring some new and exciting things to this year's Fest, we're asking for your help with some donations of some stuff......

1. Extension cords (10 foot runs or so), power strips, speaker wire, and interconnects. This stuff doesn't have to be anything special, but you can't imagine how we were scrambling hard to try to get this stuff together for people that were short of these items.

2. Laptop computers.....abused, working, not working, what have you......they don't have to be fast, we can make them work :)

This year I am going to try to get a few available for internet access going through Verizon for attendees of the Fest.

3. Webcams. Again, if we can do the internet, there's no reason why we can't have an AK FestCam for those of you who want to attend in spirit if not in bodily form :D . And, with them on laptops, we can move the cams from room to room.

4. FRS handheld radios. Would be nice to be able to pass some around to other members to keep in contact. Without the ones we had last year, we would have NEVER been able to get anything coordinated!

5. Cash register, a small one.......yes, it's more of a wish, but it will help keep things easier on the people working the door :)

6. A receiver similar to an SX-535. It need not be working, but over the next couple months, I plan to send a receiver around from place to place (maybe just the cover) for member autographs to be given as a prize at the Fest. I picked the 535 because it's relatively light and has a lot of signing space :)

7. Ashtrays. Picking up all those cups half full of Coke with a dozen butts in em was gross :yuck:

I'll post anything else I can think of, but that should do it for the most part. Or, if there's anything else that you can think of to send along that you think will also help, surprise me :)

Please feel free to PM me or send directly to:

AK Fest 2006
Attn: Tim Poliniak
120 Orchard Park Road
West Seneca NY 14224

Thanks all! :)

How about more garbage bags and garbage pails. Maybe the hotel can provide these but I think we need to do a better job of cleaning up after ourselves - if you are going to drink anything, eat or smoke put your garbage away. There where a few rooms last year that got downright nasty with cans, bottles, coffee cups and general refuse.

Probably more up to the individuals setting up rooms but I think it's a real good idea to think about some forms of portable acoustic room tuning. You can really tell the people who have done shows like this before because they attempt to tame the acoustics a bit and it makes a HUGE difference. I know this doesn't have to be elaborate and a lot can be down with simple blankets, portable panels, diffraction structures and even stuffed, strategically placed cardboard boxes.

We definitely need more hand carts. The Hotel only seems to have a few and waiting for them can literally take hours. I know I did countless trips hand carrying gear from cars to rooms and it sucked - PLEASE bring hand carts.

IC's 1.5", 3' or 6'?

Cash register, for the journal function, or just the 'till' drawer, to sort the money?

Ashtrays, disposable foil type OK?

Actually, nevermind on the ashtrays......Grump and I have something in process for one smoking room instead of 30 of em ;)

For the cash register, to be used as a till, and to be able to "Z" out the drawer.....so we can get a running total printout at the end of each day, and do the math. Easier to do it automatically.

OK, let me work on that one.

Roger on the ashtrays.

IC's? Still thinking on that one? :D

Definitely NO SMOKING in the listening this rooms this time. There will be one or two areas as Tim mentioned.

As for garbage last year, we went through and cleaned an enormous amount out of the rooms before handing them back over to the hotel. Obviously I am beat to shit after this weekend of activities and would prefer that the members clean up after themselves.....At least some what.

I will request more garbage cans on the floors.

I've got ya covered on the radios, think I can round up at least seven, maybe more :thmbsp:

If there is interest, I'd be happy to take on the task of setting up a temporary wireless "hotspot" for the weekend, provided that there is some kind of high-speed internet connection available. There is enough spare WiFI and network gear around that this should not be problem.

Having a wireless hotspot might also facilitate some creative options with portable wireless webcams and such..... could be fun.

There is absolutely no high speed connection available. I'm going to investigate the cost of a Verizon plan to use wireless internet, similar to a cell phone type of deal.

Tim: I have a cosmetically nice but one-channel-dead SX-450 in lieu of an SX-525. Would that, possibly, meet your needs?

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19388&highlight=SX-450

http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=17396

Kam, I cant make the fest but I have a couple of receivers I would be willing to part with as a donation to AK. I can retest and find a suitable donor.

Yamaha CR 840 - Some lamps out but seems to be functioning fine
Concept 5.5 - looks like a dirt bomb went off inside and DC offset tested high.
Kenwood KR 5600 - worked fine last time I checked


RC

We could use a couple, actually, whatever you'd like to send would be fine and appreciated :)

Oh, and doucanoe, here's a link and pic for ya :)

www.ojaiwan.net/audio/cowbell.wmv

Thanks for the link and Love the pic of CW! :D

I never get enough of that... How old am I anaway? :lmao:

RC

I have a P90 Laptop, it worked the last time I hooked it up. Can include a modem/nic card if needed.

Also, I have a Sanyo 2050 Receiver willing to donate. Power switch could use some work.

Drop me a PM

Oh, and doucanoe, here's a link and pic for ya :)

www.ojaiwan.net/audio/cowbell.wmv

Thanks for the link Kam!

Duocanoe.. I'm ashamed to admit it , but I was a cowbell 'virgin' before now!

Tim:

I got a handtruck we can use.

I bet reyneman would be willing to bring his copy of St. James Infirmary.......

Duocanoe.. I'm ashamed to admit it , but I was a cowbell 'virgin' before now!

hpsenicka, Now you can fully appreciate what "a little more cowbell" can do for you in your daily routine. :D

Example: Feeling down - all you need is a little more cowbell my friend.

RC

I have some cheapo interconnects I can send.

Alan

Y'know... I have an "as found" laptop from the dump in the basement. All I remember about it is that it's a Dell, and it's complete, functional, running Win95 :-) and got a broken hinge on the 'top' (i.e., display). If it'd add any value at all to the procedings, I'd be happy to donate it to AK (it's just taking up valuable space downstairs). I can drag it out tonight and see what model/processor it has.

I can bring my laptop, and a bunch of ICs, extension cords, outlet strips, beer,etc.