[KL7AA] Gerald G. Schmitt, KK5YY, SK

[Dan O'Barr]

John Wolfe, AA0NN, sent this information to me.

* Gerald G. Schmitt, KK5YY, SK: Jerry Schmitt, KK5YY (ex-KC5EGG), of
Los Alamos, New Mexico, died unexpectedly May 23 after an apparent heart
attack. He was 60. Schmitt was especially well-known within the AMSAT and
APRS communities and was the designer and primary promoter of the portable
Arrow antenna used for satellite work; he also had a hand in developing
antennas for AO-40. "Jerry was a very good friend of AMSAT' s," said AMSAT
President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH. At Hamvention 2003 Schmitt assisted at the
AMSAT booth and did a live ham satellite demonstration. "He was just a great
guy all around and full of humor," Haighton said. "We're all going to miss
him." An ARRL member, Schmitt served as a net control operator for the New
Mexico Swapnet and took part in providing ham radio communication during the
Cerro Grande fires in New Mexico. In 2001, Schmitt managed Earth-station
duties during an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
school group contact from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and
Science in Albuquerque. He was nearing retirement from Los Alamos National
Laboratories and planning to move with his wife, Barbara, KD5CGU, to Alaska.
Arrangements are pending.

Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, provided some information for this report

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Dear Radio friends,

When I opened this E-mail this morning I had a difficult time emotionally.
I sent a reply to John with a simple "say it isn't so".  Gerry, as I called
him, has been at my house, eaten at my table, knew the name of my wife, and
all 8 of our children.  Most of all, he taught me how to operate AO-27, and
started my love for LEO satellites.

I cannot remember the exact date, but it was on one of his first of many
trips to Alaska when I heard him on one of the local repeaters.  I noticed
the out of state call and started a QSO with him and he immediately asks me
if I knew anything about amateur satellites, and in particularly AO-27.  I
answered that I had been reading about AO-27 and had tried to operate it,
but had only heard wisp of voices and not really had a QSO.  He told me that
the keys to operate AO-27 were a good UHF downlink antenna and a little
knowledge on how to track it.  He told me that he had been working with the
Arrow Antenna Company to develop a dual-band portable yagi and that he was
using this new antenna and a dual-band HT to make regular contacts to the
lower 48 everyday.  I asked if he could show me his setup and he said he'd
do one better if possible, he would like to come to Ham club meeting and
give a demonstration.

I invited him to the next MARA meeting (http://www.kl7jfu.com/) and he
showed up with his Arrow Antenna and I believe a Yaesu FT-530 HT.  He not
only gave an excellent demonstration, but he drew graphs and charts on a
chalkboard and explained LEO satellite operations so thoroughly that I was
hooked.  The very next day I made my very first true LEO two-way contact.  I
used a very long M2 UHF yagi, borrowed from AA0NN as my downlink and I was
hearing the bird 100%.

Gerry has been to Alaska many times and in 2001 worked as a communicator for
the Iditarod Trail Sled-dog Race (http://www.iditarod.com/).  He was here
last year for MARA/ARRL Field Day and we had a nice visit with him and his
wife.  He told me of his plans to retire and move to Alaska.  Gerry and I
have had some late night in depth conversations and I was amazed at his
great intelligence and understanding of the sciences, politics, and
religion.  I would say we agreed on about 90% of everything we discussed.
Gerry and I had much more agreement than I have with most people that I have
these types of conversations with, and I truly felt like he was a "Brother".
Most of all, he treated me as an equal.

Every time I see an Arrow Antenna, talk on a satellite, or eat Gretchen's
homemade tortillas, I'll think of you, KK5YY, and I'll miss you.

Sincerely,
Dan O'Barr, KL7DR
(formerly WL7BD)
Owner, A-Tech Consulting
P.O. Box 873981
Wasilla, AK 99687
dan@obarr.net
http://www.obarr.net/professional.html
Home (907) 373-2569
Cell (907) 841-0500
Fax (907) 357-3577