View Full Version : Oldest Living Amateur in USA..??
n6ssq
08-26-2004, 09:40 PM
On August 12, 2004, Pacific Amateur Radio Guild Member Bill Diaper, KJ6KQ turned 104 years of age. Bill now resides in the Masonic Homes in Union City. There is a radio shack in the basement that Bill used a year ago but is very difficult for him to access now. In the basement next to the laundry room. Bill says it is dark and damp down there. He must get assistance to get there and have someone tune and adjust the frequency on the rig.
I just thought everyone should know about Bill. PARG sent him a flurry of letters and cards on his birthday and Bill was very pleased to get them. His address as recorded at FCC is incorrect. Anyone wishing to send a card or letter, I will be more than happy to furnish his mailing address.
73 to all de Fergy N6SSQ
N9CJT
08-30-2004, 01:24 PM
Just for comparison, Adah W9RTH has lived in the Masonic Home in Franklin, Indiana for several years, and is currently 98 years old. Thanks to KB9TEO, Adah has a fully operational 2-meter and multi-band HF station in her room, one which has enabled her to check into the Indiana Traffic Net on 3910 KHz and chat with her friends elsewhere whenever she is able.
I hope your friend is able to receive similar consideration.
WW3JR
08-30-2004, 07:10 PM
Fraternal Greetings to All,
I should hope that members of both the Masonic Fraternity and the Amateur Radio Fraternity in California could help get Bill out of the basement and into a decent location where he can operate.
Fraternally,
WB3EKB
Past Master
WD8OQX
08-31-2004, 04:19 AM
This is just a thought but if there is a local club could someone see to it that he has access & transportation to the club house? (or maybe there home) I can see where both would benefit. I would very much LOVE to hear this man's "war stories" of his early ham days. To bad he doesn't live around here. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
kg6ath
09-01-2004, 12:24 PM
If we are talking about Union City Calif, then yes there is a local radio club. Southbay ARC in Fremont Calif (next town over).
I dont know how mobile Bill is so I dont know how viable it is to get him out to a radio club meeting.
I will rattle some cages and see what can be done.
Hmm, how can we get him out to Pacific Div convention in Oct http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?!!??
73 de kg6ath
(grandson past master, great grandson founding master)
WD8OQX
09-01-2004, 05:20 PM
That IS a good point. If he can't get around, that would pose a problem. But I'd think something could be done somehow. How about a remote connection to the station that is there? A computer setup would do it. It could be wireless, even. Use something like PCanywhere or M$'s built in thing. Wouldn't take much of a computer to do it either.
(yes, I know someones going to say "That ain't ham radio" well, this guy has a need & this can fill it)
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Its very interesting to see so many hams that are masons, my father is a past master of the local lodge, and used to be very active with the masons and the Scottish Rite. I don't know very much about the organizations, but I have seen a lot of hams who are involved with the Masons..
Also I hope that this fellow gets HF in his room, I would love to hear him on HF, California is always booming here in Texas.
n6ssq
09-20-2004, 03:37 PM
I am in contact with Bill Diaper's grandaughter. I will contact her and find out how mobile Bill is these days. Yes, it is a shame that this Masonic Home has the shack in the basement and maybe a local club there in or near Union City CA could do something about it. I'll see what the grandaughter has to say and get back..
73 de Fergy N6SSQ
To the Amateur Radio Fraternity at large...
I am saddened to inform you that Brother William Diaper, KJ6KQ is a SK. #He passed to "The Celestial Lodge Above" on October 11th 2004 at the age of 104. #His death was announced and observed at the 155th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California.
Fraternally
Jerry V. Journeay, PM
KK6UB
jv9journ@pacbell.net
For your information,w9lq,jack just turned 100 years old this past January,he still drives his own car,and says he can still tap dance...We talk to him on 75 meters,3.865 in the evenings...
He has children older than alot of hams..
Plus what ever he talks about,he is quick witted,he will amaze you..Any one else know him???Don,w8ns http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif