The other day, on the FOC member reflector, someone has asked how Tim, VK3IM, was doing. The other guy replied to him that Tim had suffered from a serious illness and had had his radio gear stolen while he was in the hospital. I have been concerned about Tim since I read this conversation about him.
Drew, VK3XU, another FOC member, has given me a call on 40m this evening. I thought he was the right person who could let me know how Tim had been doing. So far as I heard from Drew, Tim had a prostate cancer operation which left him lasting pain. In addition, Tim has met a traffic accident, which has injured his spine. It was another cause of chronic pain to Tim. Tim has had surgeries on spine twice without good results. He also has had his equipments stolen as told in the reflector.
It was a really sad news to me. I have met Tim as VK3AZY in 1960s. Since 1980s, we have talked many times, especially when he used to commute to the city of Melbourne from Mt. Eliza on an old Mazda Van in 1980s. He used to put out a big siganal from his old FT101B and a whip with a big top hat on the roof of his car. For the past decade, he has been retired and won't be so active on the radio. I haven't had so many chances to talk to him recently. I knew he had had health problems for the past years. I still hold fond memories of good QSOs with him. When I came back on the air at a dorm of a med school hospital in early 80s, I had only 14AVQ on the roof. He has given me an idea to utilize the metal roof for the radial. We shared old friends like JA5AI or VK4CC, who went SK years ago. We used to have a big round table with them those days. Though Tim is a little bit older than me, I felt so close to him like a brother in ham radio.
There should be so many CW operators all over the world who remember a little bit chirpy but stable his signal from his mobile set up and his way of operation, very sociable and kind. Keep ears open to Drew, who told me he would try to get in touch with Tim and give us the up date on Tim in the FOC member reflector or somewhere.
SHIN,
ReplyDeleteI am truly sorry to hear all this information about "TIM". I lost track of him about ten years ago and I have not heard him on the air since then.
We had many contacts from his mobile, from his Mt. Eliza and Melborne locations, and we exchanged a few emails. He once explained the mobile set up and why it worked so well, to me both by email and in a few chats we had. It truly saddens me to hear of his equipment being stolen, and I truly can relate to his health issues. Please keep me informed as to his condition if you will please. All of my communications with him was when
I had the call NF7H.
Thanks
Bob Gates
Mesa, AZ
W7AYN
Bob
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. He has been a star on 40m CW for years. I imagined many hams knew him. You were one of them.
Yes, his antenna was a unique home brew whip. He has given me some pictures of the mobile set up. The whip had a big top hat, which made it so efficient. He always carried blanket or even refrigerator on the back of his old van, which were used for camping anywhere in his drive trip. Maybe, he was operating radio when camping in a desert area on his way somewhere like Canberra. He used to go there in Chrsitmas season. He has been a real romantist in ham radio.
I will keep you informed about Tim when I get any info. Maybe, we could help him to set up the station again.
By the way, I have met present "NF7H" Greg on 15m this morning. He didn't seem to know the great last owner of his call.
Shin
JA1NUT
Shin San,
ReplyDeleteThanks for more information about Tim and his long history of mobile operating with ham radio.
As for Greg, the new owner of NF7H, I have only once heard him on the ham bands, and that was while he was still living back east in Virginia and I was not able to contact him that time. I see he has moved to Portland, Oregon and continue to listen for him so I can make a cw contact with him and perhaps explain a bit about my history with that call sign.
Keep up the great blogging, it is enlightening and enjoyable to read and think about the many subjects you write about.
Thanks & 73'
Bob Gates
Mesa, AZ
W7AYN
Bob,
ReplyDeleteWhen I met Greg NF7H on 15m the other day, I thought you had kidded me! He must be embarraased to take over such a call with a great ex-owner, that is, you.
Shin San,
ReplyDeleteWell thank you for the kind words. I doubt that Greg
knew much about the call sign or its previous owner.
He is a remarkable man in his own way, and has my respect. I am glad such a person was the one to
become NF7H.....
73'
Bob GATES
w7AYN
Shin, Please contact me for some news on Tim.
DeleteChris VK3QB
(ref. qrz.com for contact info)
Chris,
DeleteI could not find your address in QRZ.com. Is it in YJ0VK site?
Please give me a mail to my address; nuttycellist2006@yahoo.co.jp
Sorry for late response. I was on a trip to W6/7 land. Thanks in advance.
Shin
Had a long QSO with Tim on 30m last night, though conditions tailed off a the end. He seems fine. I often hear him on 30m and he is still very active.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I am very glad to hear of his activity on 30m. Please pass my best wishes to him when you see him next time. I can't operate 30m here. Take care and see you yourself again soon.
Delete