[CQ-Contest] Thank You from the M/S SS Crew of KT0R

[Greg Fields]

I wanted to thank the contesting community for many comments we received this weekend during SS. It seems many of you read my posting about loosing Dave, KT0R, to cancer in September. We wanted to honor Dave by getting his call sign assigned to the small club we put together. We plan on using KT0R in some of Dave's favorite contests plus we want to protect the call in hopes one day one of his young son's will want it. 

We operated at the mighty KT0R station at the urging of Dave's wife, Adrienne. Our score is posted on 3830 and we are pleased with our first effort. Needless to say it was more difficult without Dave there to lead us but, we did our best. We had a good time as a group while remembering Dave during the contest. K0AD, KE0L, N0HJZ, NR0L, WA2MNO, and myself operated. 

What impressed me the most was how many of you stopped to talk with us about Dave. We received many words of encouragement and support for what we were doing. Many asked their condolences be passed onto the family. This started right away in the contest and continued throughout. I wasn't expecting this and it took me by surprise. The most memorable was when we worked Jay, N4OX, on 40 meters. Jay had a good run frequency going yet, he took a minute of silence to honor Dave and returned saying, 73 Dave. We put him the speaker so everyone in the shack could hear it. We were impressed!

The Minnesota Wireless Association showed Dave and his family a lot of support this Fall and now the contesting community as a whole took time to recognize Dave during SS. Contesters truly are a community who look out for their own. What a great group!

73,

Greg K0OB