[Elecraft] Ken Kopp K0PP

[Taylor Monfort]

Ken (then W5TKI/4) and Rose Kopp, and Al Fizz (K4QEO) were my mentors.  I
say mentors, because "Elmers" doesn't cover it.  My mother worked at the St.
Petersburg public library with Rose.  I was 13, had an avid interest in
broadcasting radio.  I saw a listing in Sears catalog for a "shortwave"
radio with a photo of the Eifel Tower and Big Ben.  That was for me!
International adventure.  Mom facilitated a visit to Ken and Rose's.  Wow
was that exciting.  He was all CW and had great mil surplus gear, command
sets, BC-348, etc.  Did I want a license, he asked?  You bet.  He and Al
patiently taught me CW and theory.  I took the novice and was thrilled to
receive WN4APB.  Ken, Rose and Al were all of 23 years old.  I can't imagine
today's typical 23 year-old having the maturity and patience of putting up
with an impudent 13 year-old to teach him both science and life lessons.

Without them, my life would have certainly been much different.  Amateur
radio opened many doors. Immediately out of college, I was hired as a very
young federal agent most likely because of my radio expertise.  Electronics
was becoming an important tool for federal law enforcement.  I rose in the
ranks to supervisory criminal investigator and then chief of technical
operations due to that background.  I went on to found and run a successful
broadcasting group.  I probably would not have even gone to law school,
without the Kopp's influence.

I maintained contact with Ken and Rose through the years.  They remained the
dearest of people to me.  Ken and I exchanged numerous emails, and had
several long telephone conversations about life and radio. Ken directed me
to my K-3.  Rose made a custom cover for it.  I am a life-long CW amateur
and that remains a passion of my life.  I look forward to my K-4 and will
commemorate and think of Ken when I make that first K-4 contact.  I knew Ken
was not well and did not want this day to come.

Thanks Ken and Rose Kopp.  161 to you both.

 

Taylor  WA4APB