[UK-CONTEST] Sad News

[Regwoolley at aol.com]

Thanks for the news. I knew Alex from his time in Coventry. I am also a  
member of DMUARS and have re posted your missive there. Please give the family 
 my best.
 
Reg G8VHI 
 
 
In a message dated 22/01/2012 17:55:06 GMT Standard Time,  
gm4wzg at kars.org.uk writes:



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  




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