Dayton Hamvention founder SK

The ham who started the Dayton Hamvention has died.

John Willig, W8ACE, back about 1950 was a member of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association. He approached the clubs leadership with a suggestion that it sponsor its own ham radio convention.

A meeting was eventually held and the Dayton Amateur Radio Association Board allocated $100 to get started.

January 1952 and the Southwestern Ohio Ham Vention was born. The next year the name was changed to "Dayton Hamvention" and was registered as a trademark.

Willig served as Hamvention General Chairman from 1952 to 1956 during which he developed the format that Hamvention has followed ever since.

John Willig, W8ACE, was age 87

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

Other recent stories..