The news just came crashing down from the ARRL that the 2016 Dayton Hamvention would be the last to be held in the Hara Arena. The home of the Dayton Hamvention since 1964 is closing. Hamvention 2017 will be held at a new, yet-to-be-disclosed location in the Dayton area.
I wish I could share with all my readers all the wonderful memories I have of Hara Arena. But unfortunately, this was something I kept putting off year after year after year. This is really unfortunate for me, as I am one who truly appreciates most of the history behind our hobby.
But oh well, right? We live….we learn…we endeavor to not repeat the errors of our ways.
Is there a silver lining in all this? As the news regarding Hara Arena began to surface on Twitter. I had to chuckle a the following tweet “Forget “no code” hams. We will soon complain about “no Hara” hams!” T-Shirts are already available to help drive this fact home. 
Well…one thing is for sure. The 2017 Dayton Hamvention will most certainly be an event none of us will want to miss. While I may have missed out on being able to say I went to the Hamvention at Hara. I certainly don’t want to miss out on saying I attended the first Hamvention at the new venue.
Well I really didn’t intend to release two blog postings today. Again I wish I had lots of memories to share about Hara. But I’m sure many other amateur radio bloggers will fill in the gap soon enough.
I hope to see you in 2017 in Dayton at the Hamvention in the yet-to-be-disclosed location.
Until next time…
73 de Jerry (KDØBIK)
I had the opportunity to attend the Dayton Hamvention twice. Both times, I traveled from Los Angeles to Dayton, Oh. I always thought it was a good distance to fly because it was in the middle of American. That being said, the Hara Arena was a dump. The Dayton Amateur club does a wonderful job of putting on this venue and I will always be appreciative of that fact. But as far as a facility for hosting this event. You could as easily put up a Circus Tent and that would have been better. At least there would have been some air movement. I’m glad to see Hara go….now, the hand will be forced to look at a better established Convention Center! If if that requires higher fees, then raise the fees! Between, what I have to pay for rental car, flights and hotel rooms, I’m not going to complain about a higher entrance fee. As I’ve become older, I expect to have nicer creature comforts and nicer facilities, not a dump like Hara. One thing you can expect in life…eventually….everything dies over time. Now, it’s time for Hara!
Loved HARA and after 6 visits, I will miss the old gal. Hope and wishes for abetted future for Hamvention
Couldn’t agree more. Frankly, the HARA did Ham radio a disservice by providing SUCH a dump! Now, I should be able to bring my Ham daughter. KD2DRS
I went to Dayton three times in a row in the 1970 era. I went for the ham radio and don’t remember HARA Arena all that much. Distance alone kept me from attending later. However, I hope they find a place that is big enough and comfortable enough to entice people to go. Ham Radio needs a place centrally located that hams can look to with pride.
Bob KK5R
Guys, I have been to Hara several times. While the facility has seen its better days for many years, it served its purpose. I did not go to the Hamvention to complain about the venue. I went to meet all my ham friends no there are many. DARA provided a great show and if is held there next year, I will be there
Thanks DARA for the best show going. Wherever you wind up next year, count me in!
While being in the middle of America is good. I think it would be nice to have it in different parts of the US every year. Another idea is to locate it in at least three fixed locations that change every year, in the west, east and middle of the country.
Frank N6LPV