After an absence of nearly three decades, Las Vegas is once again poised to host an amateur radio convention. NVCON, the ARRL Nevada State Convention will take place April 29, 30, and May 1, 2016 at the new Eastside Cannery Hotel/Casino Event Center. Las Vegas was once the site of the long running SAROC, the Sahara Amateur Radio Operators Convention. SAROC was second only to the Dayton Hamvention is size and attendance. NVCON is gearing up to be jam packed with seminars, live demonstrations, round table presentations, static displays, emergency communication tracts, and much more, including the NVCON "Birds of a Feather" table top discussion groups. Do you have a presentation that you would like to share with your fellow hams? How about a piece of equipment that you built? Were you a part of a DXpedition, Special Event Station, or other fun operating activity and you are willing to tell the story? Do you operate in a unique way? For example, only boat anchors, surplus military gear, Summits On The Air, horseback mobile....come share your adventures. Was your past employment a part of radio history....Voice Of America, coastal CW station, old radar site? Do you love your K3? Well then how about being the moderator for an Elecraft "Birds of a Feather" discussion group? This is a National Call for presenters, demonstrators, and discussion leaders to come and share your knowledge and enthusiasm of amateur radio with the ham community. To submit your proposed activity, please go to: http://www.arrl-nevada.org/nvcon-presenter-proposal.html 73, John John Bigley-N7UR Section Manager-Nevada Assistant Director-Pacific Division Assistant Director-Southeastern Division ARRL-the national association for AMATEUR RADIO
I sure wish them some luck pulling this off. SAROC folded because it was basically run by one person (Leonard Norman W7PBV). He had a Conditional license and couldn't pass it when retested, so he lost interest in ham radio and dropped out of the scene. SAROC was also competing with the CES happening at the same time each year. In the 80's there was an attempt at bringing back a ham convention, called HAMWEST. It only lasted 2 years. It seems the big shows have trouble breaking even. Like I said, I wish them luck, they'll need it.
I guess what "NVCON" is trying to access the draw of Vegas to entice the likes of amateur radio operators to come and join in. Bad news NVCON. What NVCON need to look at and get a better perspective of is, look has made Dayton and Orlando so successful AND the "go to" ham gathering rather than using the likes of what Las Vegas represents to re-create the dinosaur. In other words, there's a reason the dinosaur is extinct. BUT, if NVCON should be able to pull this all together by next spring, I too will "put on" a seminar but only, "...if they pay my travel expenses."
Best of luck on the convention-- I am always delighted to find reasons to go to Vegas. Great food, great shows, great desert hiking-- and the return of ham radio. Just avoid the jello shots and casino floors. Carrot Top is a must-see! 73 Chip W1YW
This all happened years before many -- nay most--of the attendees were born. It has zero bearing on any present day initiative. Unless you expect that todays Vegas is showcased by the Sands...
It is easy to make this a free trip, first class all the way. Put $5000 on the pass line. Or only $400 on the yo! Stand back, and collect your winnings. Or...................... oh never mind.
John it's bill n2dog the youth coordinator for the section. I've been trying to get ahold of you about this, but haven't been able to get in contact with you. Can you give me a call?
This could do well and attract a lot of hams in western states who are not fond of driving to Dayton. One of the great things about Las Vegas is that it is really well set up for conventions, and has a lot of attractions in the surrounding area.
would like to help out if need i know a few summit on the air guys that done a few convetion talks on summits on the air 73 km6cem
Bonnie is correct (of course). The big issue is hotel.Someone gets stuck guaranteeing hotel rooms, whereas there are many hotel options. In Dayton there are not-- more hams than rooms. I would be staying the Mirage....not something far from the strip.
