The History of Ham-Com
It all began in 1977 when a small group of hams met to discuss the possibility of reinventing an Amateur Radio gathering that had been held in the Dallas area. This meeting precipitated the first annual Ham-Com in June 1978. It was held at a small Dallas hotel on the north edge of town called the Royal Coach Inn. The Royal Coach has since burned. Approximately 800 persons attended this first show.
The next year we moved the venue to the Le Baron Hotel which had a five-story parking garage we could use for flea market area. Well, as things would have it in Texas in the spring, a thunderstorm struck the city about eight weeks before the June date and the torrential rain and wind brought down the ceiling of the hotel ballroom. This necessitated a last minute site change. The North Park Inn on US 75 filled the bill. We had a parking lot for the outdoor flea market, a downstairs parking garage for the indoor flea market as well as ballrooms to house the commercial exhibit area. This became the home of Ham-Com for the next seven years.
That original group of Ham-Com organizers, John, WA5OHG, and Ann, KA5TZD, Fleet; Dr Byron Landress, W5IBE; Don Smith, W5DS; Tom Gentry, K5VOU and wife Stephanie; Tom Eanes, K5AU; the late Jack Morgan, W5LQR; Walt Jackson, W5ZYA and Gordon Cathey were able to change the location and provide the backing for moving the event and getting everything ready. A number of others put in the time needed to keep the show going. As Dallas and its surrounding Metro plex grew, so did Ham-Com.
In June 1986, Ham-Com was moved from the NorthPark Inn, which was being razed for more office buildings (we have been hard on our host hotels!), to the newly constructed Arlington Convention Center. We were the first official event to hold our function at the Center.
Ham-Com has always been a volunteer effort, and that is its greatest strength. Thanks to the original volunteers and those who’ve kept it going, Ham-Com has grown through a quarter century to the position it holds today. The crew lineup has changed as life for each has changed, but new hams with the same vision and desire have stepped up to give the essential element to make it work…their time.
Ham-Com is a 'communal' effort as well, with local clubs providing support. In 1984, a Ham-Com Steering Committee was formed. All the Amateur Radio clubs from around North Texas were enlisted to send a representative to a once monthly meeting to help plan the event. Many of the clubs assisted by putting on programs, helping with security and holding transmitter hunts.
A lot has happened since then. Currently we have moved Ham-Com to the Plano convention center. It's a great venue with the room and features we always wanted.
We look forward to seeing you at Ham-Com for many years to come.
Sincerely,
The Ham-Com Board Of Directors
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| Find information on local hotels, motels, and campgrounds.
Read More
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| Read up on where to park and associated costs.
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| Important information regarding the Swap Meet for attendees and sellers.
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| 2012 CONVENTION
Friday & Saturday June 8-9
2013 CONVENTION
Friday & Saturday June 7-8
2014 CONVENTION
Friday & Saturday June 13-14
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