[ADXA] WB5AAA SK

[Jay Bromley]

ADXA members,

It is with a sad heart to report Jim WB5AAA finally lost his battle with
cancer.  I only know a few details from a good friend down Jim's way.  From
that friend I learned Jim passed away peacefully at home this morning
(Saturday) was the message sent to me via text.   

 

Before Jim and I became ADXA members I remember meeting Jim for the first
time down in Glenwood, AR.  Like always I was in a hurry to get to the next
cell site, most occasions only had time for soft drink or a pit stop.  I
don't remember if it was from a Hamfest meeting or if we hooked up on 80m
when I learned Jim was in Glenwood?  I would stop by on the way home or
while driving by deeper into southern AR.  He would always offer me
something to eat or drink, even a place to sleep for a few hours.  I never
took him up on the later.  Normally I just wanted to get home as fast as I
could, but I will never forget his kindness.  Those were very long hours!
When leaving his house I would chat with him on 2m until I got out of range.
Never a time I passed through Glenwood, AR that I didn't give Big Jim a call
via the cell phone or on 2m.  Many times I just didn't have time to stop or
I wanted to get back home after 14 or more hours on the road. 

 

We both got interested in DXing about the same time and he loved RTTY.  I
don't know how many WAS or DXCC awards Jim achieved on RTTY mode alone until
that award was merged into today's Digital award?  He had two great RTTY
mentors one was Charlie N5WE (ex-KI5XP) and Don AA5AU.  Many times Kathy and
I would see the three Louisiana amigos at Hamcom and Hamvention.  When
things get back to Hamfest normal, it will be hard not to expect seeing Jim
with Charlie.   

 

Life got in the way and I didn't keep up as much with Jim in the last few
years except for a text here and there between us.  The last time we texted
was on Oct 30 and he was asking about TL7M on 17m.

 

It was a very nice surprise and thrill to see Jim in the ADXA!  A little
later at a few ADXA meetings before he moved back to LA.  Maybe one of the
last ones I saw Jim at was down at Earl's N5ZM and that was a great turn out
for sure!  

 

He was a great friend to Kathy and me.  You can tell from his ADXA member
stats he was a pretty good DXer and like me a late bloomer in the DX world.
He was a very serious RTTY DX operator and later very active in the DXCC
Digital award.  He was always push hard to get over that 300 mark and glad
he made it!  I am sure the next mark was the DXCC Honor Roll.  He would have
made it or got close during this cycle, but ran out of time.  

 

As we say>> Jim was a goodun and will be missed!!  Thank you all and 73 de
w5jay/jay..

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