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Don Graham VK6HK 1933-2012 (2)
This is the text of Dad's eulogy as read by his best mate of 60 years Wally Howse VK6KZ. A lifelong family friend, he is known to me as Uncle Wally and is the only holder of honorary family status.
DONALD GRAHAM
Don started his amateur radio career in the 1950s when there was no TV, no FM radio stations, no transistors and little knowledge on how radio waves travel at the very high frequencies used nowadays by TV stations, mobile phones and microwave links.
Amateurs had to pass examinations to get a licence that allowed them to build their own transmitters. Don’s equipment was always of a very high standard and he was known for the quality of his voice, Morse code, digital and television signals.
He moved from valves to transistors to integrated circuits and was always up with the latest. His computer skills began with a BBC computer in the 1980s and was now in the area of software defined transceivers where the computer does a lot of the work that was previously done by the electronics.
I personally owe him a lot! We were both pioneers in experimenting with VHF, UHF and microwave signals. He was Mr Dependable – always ready to help, not just me but anyone who approached him. We had a lot of success!
Don was a Foundation Member, President for a number of years, Life member and Trustee of the WA VHF Group. He was the engineering genius behind the Groups state-wide beacon network. The first beacon was established to help research on the propagation of radio waves in the International Geophysical Year 1957. At the time of his death he was working as part of a team developing a software controlled digital identification system, a chirp radar, that has world-wide significance.
Don and I had some great times together such as crossing the Nullarbor before the highway was sealed, with his car, the Mayflower, breaking down near Eucla, and making repairs after waiting 2 days on the roadside for parts to come from Ceduna. A radio expedition to the Cocos Islands created worldwide attention and I learnt that Don liked eating raw cabbage before meals!
Posting the news of Don’s death on the Internet resulted in a deluge of tributes from around Australia, New Zealand, United States of America and Reunion Island. [Unroll at least 11 A4 sheets with messages]
A common theme is summed up in this email
Don was knowledgeable and competent in many areas, gracious, helpful, imaginative and with a sense of humour. We will miss him and remember him.
Don has left a lasting legacy and he has one final message for us amateurs. He showed his appreciation for the love and support of Pat by culling his “junk”, indicating the likely sale value of his equipment and leaving advice on how to dismantle his tower. We should do similarly for our loved ones.
I am so grateful that Don was able to give so much to me and to the amateur radio community. My best man, a great mate for 60 years. We will miss him so much.
Wally Howse
DONALD GRAHAM
Don started his amateur radio career in the 1950s when there was no TV, no FM radio stations, no transistors and little knowledge on how radio waves travel at the very high frequencies used nowadays by TV stations, mobile phones and microwave links.
Amateurs had to pass examinations to get a licence that allowed them to build their own transmitters. Don’s equipment was always of a very high standard and he was known for the quality of his voice, Morse code, digital and television signals.
He moved from valves to transistors to integrated circuits and was always up with the latest. His computer skills began with a BBC computer in the 1980s and was now in the area of software defined transceivers where the computer does a lot of the work that was previously done by the electronics.
I personally owe him a lot! We were both pioneers in experimenting with VHF, UHF and microwave signals. He was Mr Dependable – always ready to help, not just me but anyone who approached him. We had a lot of success!
Don was a Foundation Member, President for a number of years, Life member and Trustee of the WA VHF Group. He was the engineering genius behind the Groups state-wide beacon network. The first beacon was established to help research on the propagation of radio waves in the International Geophysical Year 1957. At the time of his death he was working as part of a team developing a software controlled digital identification system, a chirp radar, that has world-wide significance.
Don and I had some great times together such as crossing the Nullarbor before the highway was sealed, with his car, the Mayflower, breaking down near Eucla, and making repairs after waiting 2 days on the roadside for parts to come from Ceduna. A radio expedition to the Cocos Islands created worldwide attention and I learnt that Don liked eating raw cabbage before meals!
Posting the news of Don’s death on the Internet resulted in a deluge of tributes from around Australia, New Zealand, United States of America and Reunion Island. [Unroll at least 11 A4 sheets with messages]
A common theme is summed up in this email
Don was knowledgeable and competent in many areas, gracious, helpful, imaginative and with a sense of humour. We will miss him and remember him.
Don has left a lasting legacy and he has one final message for us amateurs. He showed his appreciation for the love and support of Pat by culling his “junk”, indicating the likely sale value of his equipment and leaving advice on how to dismantle his tower. We should do similarly for our loved ones.
I am so grateful that Don was able to give so much to me and to the amateur radio community. My best man, a great mate for 60 years. We will miss him so much.
Wally Howse