I was lucky enough to work Ellen in 2019. I was very happy as I had heard her years ago when I lived in the US but was unable to work her at the time and now living in Australia was able to complete the QSO. I sent her a QSL card and she was kind enough to reply with a lovely QSL card herself. Not a rare DX entity that I normally chase, but a card with kind heart felt writing on it from one of the Hobby's most inspirational people. We need more like Ellen. She will be sadly missed on 40m Chris VK2ICJ
I had numerous QSOs with Ellen over the past few years. I think she had trouble sleeping and I am a natural night owl. We chatted after midnight for most of our contacts. I remember speaking with Ellen during her time at the ARRL. I had a personal nickname for her "Queen Ellen". She always knew who it was when she copied Queen and we had a very friendly and warm time together via our mutual love of CW. I keep seeing things about Ellen in various readings. It is a reminder that she was quite special to a lot of us. I can honestly say that her passing makes me sad on a nearly daily basis. I don't think that she would want us to feel that way. Still, the late night QSOs we had don't happen any longer and I am still up and in the back of my mind, listening for her distinctive CQ
I had the great pleasure of knowing Ellen (and Bob) back in the 60s. I even had the opportunity to operate their home station in Burlington a couple times. I also met the legendary Katashi Nose, KH6IJ there. I seem recall them using a Collins S-line back then. I remember sitting down to operate there one time and thought the band was dead. I called a short CQ with the beam pointed northwest. Immediate pile-up of Asians. And some rare ones in there! Amazing. RIP Ellen 73/88 de NJ1P (former WA!CJE) SK
