[NCC] WT8C, SK

[tleek8az]

Thanks to all who have posted about the loss of NCC Charter Member Reno
Tonsi, WT8C.  As most of you know, in addition to being a member of NCC
since its formation in 1989, he served for many years as NCC's Treasurer
for two decades.

In addition to that, and closer to home for me, he was a stalwart member of
the K8AZ Crew, having participated here,in a significant way, in nearly
every multi-op contest effort since 1989.  I promised myself I would not
count or catalog those until I retire, but I am estimating now that the
number of contests that Reno operated here exceeds 100 by a substantial
margin.  None else, other than myself, has operated here that often.

Moreover, the development of K8AZ as a contest station has been the work of
many -- and would have been impossible without the countless hours donated
by a very devoted crew of dedicated hams who answered the call time after
time after time, to come help build towers, antennas, newer antennas, make
repairs, etc. etc. None of this would have happened if I had had to do it
alone.  But I have to say that the one person who ALWAYS answered the call
for a K8AZ work party  was Reno.  Without him, this station would be half
of what it is today.  Even last summer, when we were once again building
antennas, Reno was there, walker and all, helping out, popping rivets,
reading the design print and barking orders, just like 20 years ago.  He is
irreplacable.

There is much more that can be said, but I will save that for face-to-face
chats.

Reno, just know that we miss you now, and we will miss you forever.  And
we're glad you're now in a pain-free place where the P5's are workable
without too much effort, and the DX always gets the partial as "who's the
8-Charlie?"

RIP old friend.  We'll keep that mult chair warm for you.

73,
Tom