[SEDXC] FWD: Well Known Contester Falls From Tower

[Ed Tanton]

I urge everyone to be careful.

==>WELL-KNOWN CONTESTER, DXer DIES IN FALL FROM TOWER

Well-known contester and DXer Steve Miller, N8SM (ex-WD8IXE), of Prosper, 
Texas, died June 15 as a result of a fall while working on his Amateur
Radio tower. He was 38. An ARRL member, Miller had extensive experience in 
tower work and antenna installation. With the assistance of several other
hams, Miller had erected a 136-foot tower on his property and installed 
several antennas as part of his overall effort to build a competitive 
contesting station.

Details of the mishap that claimed Miller's life are not available. 
According to unofficial accounts, Miller had been working on his tower the 
morning of June 15, and, after a lunch break, told his wife, Radhicar, that 
he had another hour's work left. Later, she heard a noise from the yard and 
found her husband lying on the ground. Miller's wife called 911, but the 
rescue squad was unable to revive him.

ARRL antenna guru Dean Straw, N6BV--who had corresponded with Miller on 
several topics--was among those expressing shock and sadness at his death. 
"Steve was always most responsive, and he always had the most intelligent 
comments and questions concerning whatever technical topic we were 
discussing," said Straw. "I will miss his innate, contagious enthusiasm."

First licensed as WD8IXE in 1977 at the age of 12, Miller--an Ohio 
native--enjoyed contesting and DXing. He was routinely active during the CW 
weekends of the CQ World Wide, ARRL International DX and ARRL November 
Sweepstakes events. He also operated as J68AG from St Lucia in the
Caribbean and participated in a few DXpeditions, including several stints 
as a member of the J6DX team in the 1980s and 1990s. He was an ARRL DXCC 
Honor Roll member, with 332 entities confirmed (mixed).

In addition to ARRL, Miller belonged to the North Texas Contest Club 
<http://www.qsl.net/ntcc/> and 10-10 International 
<http://www.ten-ten.org/. Besides ham radio, he enjoyed playing jazz 
saxophone. An Ohio State graduate, Miller worked for Texas Instruments as 
part of its broadband wireless access group in Dallas. Survivors include 
his wife and their young daughter. A memorial service was held June 19.

73 Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy at earthlink.net>

Ed Tanton N4XY
189 Pioneer Trail
Marietta, GA 30068-3466

website: http://www.n4xy.com

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OK-QRP QRP-L #758 K2 (FT) #00057

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