[Milsurplus] Remembering Edward Phillips, W6IZJ

[David Stinson]

Back in the 1980s when I was in the Nevada
desert, feeding Strawberry ice cream to the little
grey aliens, I had the privilege and blessing to work
with a group of talented and enthusiastic people,
eager to help any newbie who shared their passion
for pioneering in the 1750 Meter band (160-190 KC).

I'd always had a deep interest in Longwave.
Power and antennas were severely restricted
and many believed it was impossible to do any
useful work there, especially since most of us
had no computers other than the squishy ones
between our ears.  Such a "you can't it's
impossible"challenge was irresistable to us.
You could use any mode you like, but if you
actually wanted to contact someone,
Morse Code was it.
Most of us ran continuous CW ID beacons.
Since it is a "license free" Part 15 band,
you made-up call signs.

One day in '84 or there-abouts, I got tired of
ordinary 40- and 20-meter DXing at the base
ham shack and decided to start working with
LF again.  Connected the 50' 40-meter dipole
as a Marconi "T" and started listening.

It wasn't long before I heard my first "LOWFER"
beacon, which was Ed Phillips, W6IZJ.  I felt
as excited as when I was a Novice working my
first out-of-state station: "Garrr-LEE!"
Ed's steady "IZJ" beacon became a "standard" for
band conditions.  Got to meet him at our first
"Lowfer" get-together in California a couple of
years later.  We went on to set records and
experiment with the first crude "improved SNR"
modes, like Slow- and Coherent-CW modes.
What a blessing to contribute to such a group.
Ed was a valuable asset to our endeavors.

You're free of "The Curse of Flesh" now, Ed.
We who remember you will miss you.
May The Lord comfort yours
and give you Peace.

GL OM ES 73 DE Dave AB5S


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