Is SAROC Version 3.0 Coming to
Las Vegas?
Leaflets have begun to be handed out in Las Vegas proclaiming that a new "SAROC" will be arriving in Las Vegas this coming spring.
SAROC, was the biggest ham radio event ever held west of the Mississippi river. Beginning in 1965 and running for 14 years, SAROC drew a crowd that approached 8,000 attendees.
SAROC, an acronym for the Sahara Amateur Radio Operators Convention, began at the Sahara Hotel/Casino, later moved to the Flamingo, before again returning to the Sahara.
Little is known about the "New" SAROC The person handing out the fliers stated that the event will take place in March or April of 2014 and will be held at Aliante Station Casino.
The flier says that details can be obtained from the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club or from an email address newsaroc@gmail.com , however requests for information have not been answered.
SAROC, was the biggest ham radio event ever held west of the Mississippi river. Beginning in 1965 and running for 14 years, SAROC drew a crowd that approached 8,000 attendees.
SAROC, an acronym for the Sahara Amateur Radio Operators Convention, began at the Sahara Hotel/Casino, later moved to the Flamingo, before again returning to the Sahara.
Little is known about the "New" SAROC The person handing out the fliers stated that the event will take place in March or April of 2014 and will be held at Aliante Station Casino.
The flier says that details can be obtained from the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club or from an email address newsaroc@gmail.com , however requests for information have not been answered.
The September 1970 edition of HAM RADIO Magazine held this ad for the 6th annual SAROC National Convention.
With only four months to the announced event, conversations with the major ham radio vendors indicate they are not aware of a convention being planned.
The original SAROC was sponsored by the Southern Nevada Amateur Radio Club of Boulder City, but it was widely known that it was pretty much a 'one man show'.
That one man, Leonard Norman-W7PBV. Norman, who was Nevada Section Manager at the time, was the driving force behind SAROC.
The original SAROC was sponsored by the Southern Nevada Amateur Radio Club of Boulder City, but it was widely known that it was pretty much a 'one man show'.
That one man, Leonard Norman-W7PBV. Norman, who was Nevada Section Manager at the time, was the driving force behind SAROC.
SAROC had something for everybody. It was THE PLACE for manufacturers to roll out their latest products. Swan, Drake, Collins, Galaxy,were mainstays of SAROC. Their cocktail parties are still talked about today.
All of the radio magazines of the day had a presence: 73, Ham Radio, Ham Horizons, CQ...... and virtually every club newsletter in the country had an article written by a member who had just returned with a SAROC report.
All of the radio magazines of the day had a presence: 73, Ham Radio, Ham Horizons, CQ...... and virtually every club newsletter in the country had an article written by a member who had just returned with a SAROC report.
Governor Paul Laxalt makes his first QSO
Buddy Hackett performed for the hams in the Congo Room. Johnny Carson and Doc Sevierson were just wrapping up.
As much as the hams enjoyed the entertainers, the celebrities were equally fascinated by amateur radio. Television and movie stars took turns chatting with Vietnam era servicemen, via the MARS station.
As much as the hams enjoyed the entertainers, the celebrities were equally fascinated by amateur radio. Television and movie stars took turns chatting with Vietnam era servicemen, via the MARS station.
Actress Debbie Reynolds talks to the troops via Ham Radio in 1967 at SAROC
Midway thru the years the venue for SAROC changed to the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. By the latter half of the 70's Leonard Norman, SAROCS long time organizer was on the ropes.
Most modern accounts say that Leonard Norman was elderly and in ill health and unable to continue as the event organizer.
In reality, Norman was in his late 50's when SAROC ended. He went on to live another two decades.
In the late 70's, Norman, who held a Conditional Class license (given via the mail to those 125 miles-later 75 miles from a test site) was called in to re-take his exam in front of an FCC examiner. Norman failed the test several times and lost his license.
Without a license Norman began to lose interest in amateur radio and without Norman at the helm SAROC faded away. He did however eventually earn a General Class license.
Leonard Norman passed away in 1997. His tombstone in the Boulder City Cemetery bears his callsign W7PBV.
In 1985, Mr. and Mrs. John Weaver attempted a revival of SAROC. Dubbed HAMWEST, the new convention made its home at the Hacienda Hotel / Casino.
Hams and vendors flocked back. Despite this, HAMWEST ended in 1986 after its second year.
Most modern accounts say that Leonard Norman was elderly and in ill health and unable to continue as the event organizer.
In reality, Norman was in his late 50's when SAROC ended. He went on to live another two decades.
In the late 70's, Norman, who held a Conditional Class license (given via the mail to those 125 miles-later 75 miles from a test site) was called in to re-take his exam in front of an FCC examiner. Norman failed the test several times and lost his license.
Without a license Norman began to lose interest in amateur radio and without Norman at the helm SAROC faded away. He did however eventually earn a General Class license.
Leonard Norman passed away in 1997. His tombstone in the Boulder City Cemetery bears his callsign W7PBV.
In 1985, Mr. and Mrs. John Weaver attempted a revival of SAROC. Dubbed HAMWEST, the new convention made its home at the Hacienda Hotel / Casino.
Hams and vendors flocked back. Despite this, HAMWEST ended in 1986 after its second year.
Clint Call-W6OFT/the 1968 Swan booth
During the 60's and 70's comps ruled the game. If too many hams showed up at SAROC, those with reservations might find that their budget room had been upgraded to a suite....and the hotel was giving them show tickets to make up for any "inconvenience".
But in the 80's times had changed, Las Vegas was now the convention and tradeshow capital of the world. With 100,000+ attendance shows becoming the norm and 8-10 conventions running during the same week Las Vegas was overbooked.
Sources say that the Weavers had to personally guarantee a substantial number of room nights at the hotel.
Even though industry insiders report that attendance at the new HAMWEST was 50 per cent higher than SAROC, the number of hams staying at the Aladdin was dismal. The Weavers were reportedly left holding the bag for the cost of the rooms and not financially able to continue the resurrected event.
But in the 80's times had changed, Las Vegas was now the convention and tradeshow capital of the world. With 100,000+ attendance shows becoming the norm and 8-10 conventions running during the same week Las Vegas was overbooked.
Sources say that the Weavers had to personally guarantee a substantial number of room nights at the hotel.
Even though industry insiders report that attendance at the new HAMWEST was 50 per cent higher than SAROC, the number of hams staying at the Aladdin was dismal. The Weavers were reportedly left holding the bag for the cost of the rooms and not financially able to continue the resurrected event.
Windy the clown entertains at SAROC
Editors Note: Just one day after posting the above story I stumbled onto the QRZ.com profile of Ed Riley-K9HSS. His profile mentioned that he had operated the 1967 Marine MARS station at SAROC with the assistance of Debbie Reynolds!
Was it possible that I had inadvertently found the identity of the Marine shown with Debbie in the above picture?
I shot an e-mail to Ed to inquire about the photo. Here is his reply:
Wow John!
There is a 90+% chance I am the Marine in the picture! Just 23 yrs old! Approximately 12-15 day's left of my 4yr enlistment. Shocking you even have this picture!
I had a number of newspaper pictures of Debbie Reynolds and myself on the front cover....lost my baggage in shipment never found it.
Henry Radio in Anaheim, California loaned all the Collins equipment, brand new in the box's! I just signed my name for it ! Amazing story! I knew Walt Henry personally!
My boss picked me from eleven other Marines operating the station at El Toro, Marine Corp. Air Station, Anaheim, California.
I had the most knowledge of the group -----------I often run the whole show by myself running phone patch's in my sleep, the little sleep I had. We had the biggest signal out of the United States, West Coast Marine Corp. direct contact with Da Nang.
I wasn't the only Marine-------from my memory, two other Marines from the Mars Station plus my boss, total 4--Thousands of people saw/listened to the direct phone patch's camera's flashing steady! People from around the world hugging Debbie, and me. Tri-x Corp loaned my boss, and I 80' push button nestled tower --On a
trailer ) installed from the trailer....I believe a 6 element beam Mono-bander!
Everything borrowed free ---------all my meals, housing, transportation, entertainment paid ---------Including escorted with 2 beautiful girls every night --7 nights-------and their meals paid, all entertainment paid by the city mayor ! Anything we would like-----!! The key to the city anywhere ......!! It was like living a dream of all dreams !
73 Ed -K9HSS
Be sure and check out Ed's profile on QRZ.com
Was it possible that I had inadvertently found the identity of the Marine shown with Debbie in the above picture?
I shot an e-mail to Ed to inquire about the photo. Here is his reply:
Wow John!
There is a 90+% chance I am the Marine in the picture! Just 23 yrs old! Approximately 12-15 day's left of my 4yr enlistment. Shocking you even have this picture!
I had a number of newspaper pictures of Debbie Reynolds and myself on the front cover....lost my baggage in shipment never found it.
Henry Radio in Anaheim, California loaned all the Collins equipment, brand new in the box's! I just signed my name for it ! Amazing story! I knew Walt Henry personally!
My boss picked me from eleven other Marines operating the station at El Toro, Marine Corp. Air Station, Anaheim, California.
I had the most knowledge of the group -----------I often run the whole show by myself running phone patch's in my sleep, the little sleep I had. We had the biggest signal out of the United States, West Coast Marine Corp. direct contact with Da Nang.
I wasn't the only Marine-------from my memory, two other Marines from the Mars Station plus my boss, total 4--Thousands of people saw/listened to the direct phone patch's camera's flashing steady! People from around the world hugging Debbie, and me. Tri-x Corp loaned my boss, and I 80' push button nestled tower --On a
trailer ) installed from the trailer....I believe a 6 element beam Mono-bander!
Everything borrowed free ---------all my meals, housing, transportation, entertainment paid ---------Including escorted with 2 beautiful girls every night --7 nights-------and their meals paid, all entertainment paid by the city mayor ! Anything we would like-----!! The key to the city anywhere ......!! It was like living a dream of all dreams !
73 Ed -K9HSS
Be sure and check out Ed's profile on QRZ.com