Orlando HamCation put together by OARC is one of the world’s largest hamfests, currently second to Dayton Hamvention held in May, is fast approaching.
As the days quickly pass by us we keep getting closer to the start of Orlando HamCation. Last year was my first year attending and I enjoyed myself while working double shifts volunteering for the Security team. I was still able to find time to check out all the vendors, swap tables and a fair share of the tailgaters. I also made it to several of the forum sessions as well.
2024 is shaping up to be another great year for HamCation, the only big difference for me this year is that I stepped up when the call went out for assistance, and I’ll be working this year as a Security Assistant Chairman. So while everyone is coming to enjoy HamCation Feburary 9th thru the 11th, I have been partipating in the planning for the months leading up to now and will be busy entire week prior starting on the 5th of Feburary. For me this is my PTO vacation time from my day job.
Events like HamCation just don’t happen. They take an army of volunteers and people dedicated to making sure everything is taken care of. For me it is one more way I can be a part of the community I enjoy and surround myself with plenty of likeminded people.
This year we will be looking forward to many vendors who are attending for the first time, as well as those who haven’t attended since before the pandemic put the world on pause. We also have international organizations that will be attending after years spent inviting and cultivating. As always there will be those vendors and organizations that attend every year and help make HamCation the event it has grown to be.
So I hope to be able to see and meet as many other hams as I can that make it out to HamCation this year. I hope to eventually be able to make it up to Ohio for Hamvention as I have not yet, but it is definitely on the radar for me. I’m thankful to be able to have OARC local and with all the activities I can assist and take part in with.
