[Collins] W3CRA location on the web

[David Knepper]

Tony, the Collins Radio Association holds the call W3CRA, as a station call
sign.  The call was formerly held by Frank Lucas, who passed away some years
ago.  I believe that he worked in Canonsburg, to the south of Pittsburgh, as
an automotive mechanic at a Toyoto dealership.  The antenna that Frank used
was a simple homemade beam on a wooden tower.  The antenna had a clear shot
to the West - takeoff angle was perfect for long skip.

A close friend of his told me that Frank's station was inspected by the FCC
because they could not understand how Frank's station could be heard when
the band was "dead."    I guess they were looking for Frank's "California
KW."  Frank's transmitter did run legal power using a  homebrew 250TH tube,
if memory serves me.

After that incident, Frank destroyed all his QSL cards and became
disenchanted with the ham radio, principally because he felt betrayed that
there was a conspiracy by some envious ham(s) who had turned him in to the
FCC.  Frank was a superb CW operator and was the holder of DXCC #1.

The Collins Radio Assoication is indeed proud to have Frank's former call.
Of course, the call letters are most appropriate - W3 Collins Radio
Association - W3CRA.

Thank you.

David, W3ST
Publisher of the Collins Journal
Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
To Join the CRA go to www.collinsra.com
Nets:  3805 Khz, Monday/Wednesdays 8 PM EST and 14250 Khz Saturday, 12 Noon
EST

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony" <cybrlnk at yahoo.com>
To: <cra at floodcity.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 9:31 AM
Subject: Fwd: [Collins] W3CRA location on the web


>
> Note: forwarded message attached.
>
> Dave,
>
> Are there 2 W3CRA's ?, did you see this message on the
> reflector?
>
>
> Tony
>
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