[KYHAM] Al Hix, W8AH, silent key

[Jeanie Dalton]

I had the pleasure of knowing this fine gentleman when I was living in
Charleston, WV.  He was an active member of
the Kanawha Amateur Radio Club, (KARC) of which I also belonged.  .  Sadl=
y
another ICON in amateur radio gone. =

He was a heck of a fine man and always had a kind word to say to all.  He=

would always acknowledge your
presence even in the midst of a discussion and stop to shake your hand an=
d
ask how you were.  Al will be missed by so many
many hams around the world.

Jeanie Dalton, KB8QLC
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Albert H. Hix


Albert H. Hix, 85, died June 25, 2003, at home after a short illness.

He was retired from Union Carbide Technical Center in 1985.

Al Hix, W8AH, was known around the world by thousands of amateur radio
operators and his pursuits in the DX or Distance aspect of the ham radio
hobby are unsurpassed. Al's amateur radio station, operating from the hil=
ls
of Charleston, made contact with 390 countries around the world placing h=
im
at the top of the American Radio Relay League's Honor Roll for such amate=
ur
radio pursuits. Al was the number one operator in the entire world for
making contact with the most countries on the 40-meter band, where he had=

confirmed contacts with 362 countries. Al was first licensed in high
school, graduating from Charleston High school mid-year in 1936. He was a=

1942 graduate of West Virginia University with an Electrical Engineering
degree. While at WVU he was also in ROTC military officer's training
program and upon graduation, he joined the military, commissioned as seco=
nd
lieutenant in the US Army's Signal Corps and served in World War II in th=
e
European Theatre in England, Belgium and France.

After the war, Al returned to Charleston and was hired by Union Carbide i=
n
1947 and worked in their control and communication department for 28 year=
s.
During his career, he provided his expertise in electrical engineering an=
d
control systems to Union Carbide facilities around the world. Al got his
Extra Class license in 1960 as W8BT and in 1977, took the W8AH call which=

belonged to a friend of his who had become a Silent Key. He was voted Wes=
t
Virginia Outstanding Amateur Radio Operator of the Year in 1986, served a=
s
president of the West Virginia State Radio Council for two years, and is
past president of the West Virginia Quarter Century Wireless Association.=

Al was vice-president of the Instrument Society of America (ISA) and
received the prestigious ISA Fellow Award.

Surviving are his wife, Constance G. Hix of Charleston; brother, James Hi=
x
of Parkersburg.

Service will be 11 a.m. Monday, June 30, at Wilson Funeral Home,
Charleston, with Chaplain (Col.) Randall A. Kochersperger officiating.
Entombment will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans with military
graveside rites.

A gathering will be Sunday, June 29, at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m.=


In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to American Radio Relay=

League, Albert H. Hix Memorial Scholarship Fund, 225 Main St., Mewington,=

CT 06111-1494.

Wilson Funeral Home, Charleston is in charge of arrangements. =