Topband: Ray Gerrard. G3NOM & HA0ZDZ, SK

[Milt -- N5IA]

It came to my attention today through Dietmar, DL3DXX and Robin, WA6CDR, that Ray Gerrard, who held both G3NOM and HS0ZDZ call signs, passed away near the end of May.

Ray suffered a stroke in 2004 and had been largely incapacitated since that time.

I came to know Ray as we were both members of the 2000 DXpedition to XZ0A.  Ray was living in Bangkok and was the integral cog who made XZ0A happen in the way it did.

Ray made the pre expedition trip to Thay Thay Kyun island where he made measurements of available space to deploy antenna systems.  This information allowed us to design the Low Band TX and RX antenna systems to fit the small amount of open space on the island.

Ray made arrangements for approximately 250 feet of Thai knock off of Rohn 25 tower to be manufactured in Bangkok and then shipped to the sea terminal at Ranong.

Ray operated with us for 4 weeks and then supervised the disassembly of the towers (allowing us to operate until daybreak the last morning just 3 hours before leaving the island) and shipping them back to Bangkok.  The towers, antennas and many other items were then donated to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand  (RAST), where Ray was an officer.

I was my privilege to operate the CQ 160 CW contest during the DXpedition together with Ray, Robin, and George-V73GT.  Ray would operate CW with a SSB RX filter and pick the call signs where ever they appeared in the RX bandpass.  Absolutely amazing to me.

For those who might want to read a bit more about Ray’s great help in establishing amateur radio in Thailand can read the article at................... 

http://www.qsl.net/rast/

It was my great pleasure to know you and operate with you Ray.  May you rest in peace.

73 de Milt, N5IA