Jim Stevenson (G0EJQ) - SK

Jim Stevenson, an RSGB Regional Manager (Region 13) has passed away on 4th March 2019.

“It is with great sadness that Jim Stevenson (G0EJQ) has passed away.

The news came as a shock to all those local amateurs who knew him and all of us in Region 13 will greatly miss his significant contribution to our hobby.”

— Ian Shepherd, G4EVK - RSGB Board Chairman

Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club Marks Twelfth Anniversary

PORT Stephens Amateur Radio Club Inc has marked its 12th anniversary with an upgrade of its transmission capabilities.

Club president Richard (VK2FRKO) said that a 70cm repeater recently installed on the telco tower on top of Gan Gan Lookout has vastly improved the quality and breadth of the Club’s footprint.

“Our Club is a great way to make friends and talk to others over the airwaves. We are some 25 strong and meet at the Marine Rescue Base station in Lemon Tree Passage on the first Sunday of the month.”

— Richard (VK2FRKO) - Club President

At times, with favorable climatic conditions, members have spoken to others as far afield as Russia, Canada and Asia.

PORT Stephens Amateur Radio Club - http://portstephensarc.org/

Bill Thompson, W2MTA, SK

Bill Thompson, W2MTA, who headed the ARRL Western New York Section from 1980 until 1999, died on 16th February 2019. An ARRL Life Member, he was 87.

Formerly of Newark Valley, New York, Thompson was licensed in 1952. He was a Marine Corps Veteran of the Korean Conflict and later was employed by IBM in various posts. In 2009, Thompson was honored with ARRL’s Knight Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes notable contributions by a Section Manager to the well-being and vitality of ARRL.

He was a long-time leader and supporter of the National Traffic System, and served as Second Region Net manager and as chair of the NTS Eastern Area Staff. He also held Official Relay Station and Net Manager appointments for several decades in the Western New York Section, and he served as an Assistant Director of the ARRL Atlantic Division.