Fred J. Schnell W6OZF SK

Known to me as Uncle Fritz, Fred Schnell W6OZF SK died many years ago, but it was his influence that gave me the desire to obtain my amateur radio license at a young age.  Latter in life it was his remembered encouragments that gave me strength to finish my degree in electrical engineering at the age of 35.  Fred was an antenna engineer for Swan and was the primary designer of the "Swantenna" mobile antenna with motorized bandswitching.  Sorry screwdriver guys, it was Fred's idea first, and it was my father that did the tool and die work on the antenna in the mid 60's.  Another idea of Fred's was the flag pole antenna for stealth hamming.  If you have time, check the March 1978 QST on page 29 for a look at Fred's talent for engineering.  I was not able to attend Fred's funeral, so my thanks for allowing me to post my long overdue thoughts here.  
73
Steve Mercure W5EN
BSEE\ A+
W5EN@swan.com