View Full Version : Don Miller W9WNV
Anyone here remember W9WNV?
Check out this link for one of the kings of the early DXpeditions. W9WNV Link (http://www.qsl.at/common/miller.html)
My yearly trip to Martinique as TOØO will never hold a candle to the stories that Don has!!!
Tom, kc0w & to0o
I have not looked at the site yet but was this the guy who operated at one location but gave out a spurious QTH of another location? I might have the wrong person in mind but I think he also brought a lawsuit against the ARRL over DXCC credit.
73
George
K3UD
That's him.
So he operated from a few places falsely, hihi.
Tom kc0w
K9STH
12-21-2004, 12:51 AM
Like supposedly from Mount Athos but actually sitting in a hotel in Athens!
"Romeo" (the Russian amateur who supposedly went on a number of DX'peditions) learned well from Don. He also "operated" from a number of places in which he never "set foot". Also, like Miller, he actually operated from enough places to at least gain him some recognition until it was discovered that he didn't make it to all of them.
Don Miller wrote a "how to" book on DXing that was published by Cowan Publishing (owned CQ Magazine at the time). A friend of mine wanted my copy to add to his collection of such "how to work DX" books so I gave it to him a couple of years ago.
Glen, K9STH
His initials are DAM. Kinda says it all.
Interesting site, thanks for the link!!
Well, I looked at the site. I had forgotten about the QSL scam and the prison sentance.
Maybe Don HAS turned it around.
All I can say is "remarkable"
73
George
K3UD
K3STX
12-21-2004, 03:02 PM
There is a LOT of info out there on Don Miller. I would not call what happened a QSL scam. It is all interesting reading, as is all these old DX stories. In fact, I think there is a website called "DX Stories" by a Canadian guy, very interesting.
And yes, St. Peter and Paul's Rocks were "troubling', but I think the VAST majority of his numerous operations were legit.
It is a drag a couple of the operations were not real, but I suspect he brought much more joy to the hobby than sadness. And look how his activity shaped the DXCC list.
paul
Paul,
I seem to remember that there were a lot of allegations being made about not being on the list. This meant that if you were not a contributer to the DXpedition you did not get a card even if you worked it.
To be fair, the same thing was alleged of other prominent DXpeditioners at around the same time. Some of this was covered in QST at the time and was fodder for some of Wayne Green's rants in 73.
Back in the 60s and early 70s I did work quite a few of the DXpetitions in question, but not being a DXer in the accepted sense of the word, I never worried about getting the QSL.
I don't think I have ever heard of this practice concerning a Yasme operation though.
73
George
K3UD
73
George
K3UD
W0LPQ
12-21-2004, 04:51 PM
I was ok Okinawa in the early 60's in the USAF. During several of his "DXpeditions" there were several guys who questioned his locations. There were at least 6 people on Hawaii, Guam and a couple on Johnson Island who compared beam headings and were more than curious as when readings were compared, the locaton was far from where WNV said he was. I never worked him although I did hear him and I have to say that the beam headings (for several operations) from Okinawa did not quite agree either.
Exactly what they were I do not remember nor do I care since I am not into the DX thing. One of the guys in Guam had a very large beam (Telrex) that was less beamwidth than the typical beam.
One of the guys from our local Kadena Mars Station (KR6AF) went with Miller but refused to say exactly where they went, which added fuel to the fire.
He was a fairly good CW op in spite of all his other problems.
73
Bill, W0LPQ
K3STX
12-21-2004, 04:53 PM
I was not operating at the time. I wonder what the old timers think. Did they REALLY never get their QSL cards? I know Miller SAYS the deal was you send $25, you get a QSL direct from XX. You don't send money, you get it via the manager (just like today). I also remember reading that he was accused of NOT giving a QSO to those big-guns who did not contribute the $25 up front, but I wonder if that was ever verified (I guess Miller could argue "I never heard them calling".
Anyway, interesting reading. Nowadays it is not like two guys getting on a boat and sailing around!!
paul
paul
Ham Radio attracts some 'interesting' people.. Kevin Mitnick, Don Miller.. and there was a ham with a call that lost his call after going to prison for life because of murder..
K9STH
12-22-2004, 04:31 AM
OWO:
That WAS Don Miller who was sent to prison for murdering his wife!
Glen, K9STH
Quote[/b] (K9STH @ Dec. 22 2004,01:31)]OWO:
That WAS Don Miller who was sent to prison for murdering his wife!
Glen, K9STH
OK... I seem to recall this story - but WHY would anyone use Don Miller's call as a CLUB CALL, and to top it off, when you look at the bio on QRZ, you see that W9VNE was one of the guys that got the club idea rolling in the first place. I irony is that W9VNE/8 is a LAWYER.
K3STX
12-22-2004, 02:00 PM
I think he was convicted of CONSPIRACY to commit murder, and I think she was not harmed. I also think he denies the charges.
Interesting about the beam headings. While there can be all kinds of strange prop., when YOU are in the Pacific and HE is in the South Pacific there is probably only one kind of prop. going on! It does sound suspicious.
paul
Quote[/b] (K3STX @ Dec. 22 2004,07:00)]I think he was convicted of CONSPIRACY to commit murder, and I think she was not harmed. I also think he denies the charges.
Yes, those are the correct facts of what went on..........All in all still not a very smart thing to do!
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Tom kcØw
Quote[/b] (K9STH @ Dec. 20 2004,22:31)]OWO:
That WAS Don Miller who was sent to prison for murdering his wife!
Glen, K9STH
W5EBC was the ham I was thinking off.. Page 74 of the July 2004 QST. I remember this one because it kind of shocked me to see a ham being convicted of murder.. I guess I have always thought different towards ham operators.. Thinking they were all these wonderful people.. and the majority are... still reading things like this is QST shock me..