Topband: VK3ZL SK today

[David Raymond]

Bob was truly a remarkable person.  Not only did his homebrew skills far surpass the vast majority of us but he also put out a remarkable signal with a modest station.  A lot of topbanders may be unaware that Bob's signal came from a homebrew 42' vertical (yes, forty two foot) .  Capped off with a hefty top hat and a very good ground radial system, he was able to work the world daily.  He and I had other shared interests and enjoyed exchanging emails.  I will surely miss his friendship and his signal on 1824.5 on those cold, winter morns.

73 Bob. . .rest in peace OM.

Dave, W0FLS
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: SidShusterman 
  To: topband at contesting.com ; Jean Briggs ; robert briggs ; Bernie McClenny, W3UR ; Bob Garrett ; K3JJG ; David Raymond ; tree at kkn.net 
  Sent: Monday, July 07, 2014 6:23 PM
  Subject: VK3ZL SK today


  I received an email from Jeannie this afternoon. Bob succumbed to the effects of bladder cancer today. Bob was  many things. He was one heck of a builder.  His amplifiers won the SERG homebrew competition so many times that they finally gave him a lifetime achievement award.  He was a fixture on TopBand and gave many their first VK QSO. He was also a beacon until recently.  If there was any propagation at all Bob was there to work it.
  Over the years Bob and I and I am sure some others developed a relationship that transcended ham radio. I found that Bob was a fire communications officer who provided essential communications and control for the intense fires that happen in that part of Australia amongst other interests.
  Above all Bob was our friend. 
  Bob told Jeannie his wife  he wanted the following on his grave marker:
  Robert William Briggs..
  ..loving husband of Jeannie..
  ..17 Oct 1942 ---7 July 2014..
  .......vk3zl   s k......
  and that is what she will do. 
  Jeannie can receive your emails at both her email address: Jean Briggs <jabi77 at bigpond.com>
  and also she is keeping Bob's account open: VK3ZL at bigpond.com
  Sid K3SX