[amsat-bb] Jim Gray W1XU SK

["Larry L. Ledlow, Jr." <ledlow@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Yesterday I received tremedously sad news that Jim Gray W1XU of Payson,
Arizona, went silent key on June 30, 2000.  His wife Peggy reported he had
been briefly ill, but I have no other details.

During his long association with the amateur radio hobby, Jim figured
heavily in many aspects of it.  I first met Jim on the air from his home in
New Hampshire in early 1987.  It was a serendipitous encounter, because I
was about to embark on a trip to interview for editor-in-chief position at
"73 Magazine".  I recognized his callsign immediately from the publication's
masthead.  Jim kindly invited me to his house in Peterborough upon my
arrival, and he offered many words of encouragement and insight.  We
subsequently became colleagues when I accepted the editorial job, and he
produced the monthly propagation column many, many years after I left.

Surely all CW operators who worked him will concede that his skills on the
air were demonstrably superior in every way.  He especially enjoyed
ragchewing on the WARC bands.  His powerful curiosity, pervasive optimism,
and gentle spirit made him a remarkable man for others to know.  Jim was, in
many ways, a kindred spirit, the likes of whom I have rarely known.

Following Peggy's advice, I think we should all wish 73 to W1XU on his new
adventure.

Larry L. Ledlow, Jr.
KL7/N1TX (ex-NA5E)
Fairbanks, Alaska


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