[UK-CONTEST] Sad News

[Bernie McIntosh (GM4WZG)]

I'm very sad to inform you that Alex, GM3ZBE has joined those that we know
as Silent Key.   He passed away quietly last night at home with his family
at his side after a long illness.

Alex had fought and overcome several serious health  problems in recent
years. It was just before Christmas 2010, a little over a year ago that he
learned his illness was terminal. He opted for some  difficult treatment to
prolong the time that he would have available for his familly, friends and
himself.  

In that time I think he gave us all a great lesson in selfless courage and
determination.  My last QSO with him was 6am one morning only a few weeks
ago on Top Band where he had been chasing DX with his recently developed
Trapped Inverted L + 32 large ground radials.  Alex had been looking forward
to a great retirement, with both family and ham radio as a focus for his
life. He achieved some of it, but in the end it was so much shorter than
anyone wanted.

Alex tried to travel a little in this last year and he met face to face some
of his old friends from CDXC, GMDX, De Montfort, Aberdeen and others.  I'm
not sure how much he said of his illness - knowing him, not a lot. I do know
that all those lifelong ham radio friendships meant a great deal to him. 

It was  later in his life  when he returned to live in Scotland that I had
the privelidge to get to know Alex. There was nothing he liked more than an
armchair discussion  pulling apart the workings of some antenna or other.
But he was no old-timer just living in the past - he was a dab hand at
modelling on the PC all kinds of antennas for many hams in the area who were
looking for help and advice.  He was busy working on his latest construction
project just the day before he took to his sick bed for the last time.

Alex was a keen contestor and regular contributer to this reflector but in
recent times he didn't have the stamina to enjoy contesting himself in a
competitive way.  He was always keen to offer help and support to others
though and I enjoyed working more than a few contests from his QTH where I
always learned something new. One thing I learned was that Alex always liked
to play fair and by the rules. A true amateur radio gentleman.

Alex leaves behind his wife and two children to whom he was truly devoted.
If anyone wants to know funeral details they can write to me and I'll pass
the information on when its available in the next day or so.  Rest in peace
Alex.


73

Bernie
GM4WZG