[TowerTalk] G4ZU SK

[John Tait]

> This came from a friend Of Capt Dick Bird G4ZU in France.
>
> Dick died on August 16th in his house near Carcassonne (South) of France.
> Dick, well known in the HAM community, was the creator in the fifties of 
> the
> MINIBEAM and, since, of several innovative antenna designs such as the
> BIRD'S CAGE, the BOW & ARROW (or Jungle Job ) beam....
> He was living in France since 1999 using the call F6IDC until 2001.
>
> One correction its the BirdCage Antenna (April 1960 CQ). The minibeam was 
> a
> great populator of the HF bands (20/15/10).  You could build your own or 
> buy
> one from Panda (also sold in the USA and canada).
> Dave K4JRB

I'm very sorry to hear that news Dave... I had one of "Dicky Bird's" 
minibeams in the mid 60s. It was a clever design, but difficult to set up. 
When properly tuned, they worked very well. I made a few of his "Jungle Job" 
beams, which were great. Con DF4SA is producing a very successful modern 
multiband version of it. http://www.spiderbeam.net/  I worked him a few 
times in recent years as F6IDC. He was still as interested and enthusiastic 
as ever. Rest in peace OM.

  John EI7BA   http://www.iol.ie/~bravo/