From k3sv at pa.net  Mon Jan  4 18:16:38 2016
From: k3sv at pa.net (K3SV)
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 18:16:38 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Wallpaper
Message-ID: <238FEE83-6F52-49AA-8485-8DFBF792BD4F@pa.net>

Received nice certificate from Nittany ARC for operating out-of-state in PA QSO Party. Nice touch from a class operation. Thanks. 

73 Bill K3SV

Sent from my iPad

From nw3h at verizon.net  Mon Jan  4 18:28:55 2016
From: nw3h at verizon.net (Bill Henderson)
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 2016 18:28:55 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Wallpaper
In-Reply-To: <238FEE83-6F52-49AA-8485-8DFBF792BD4F@pa.net>
References: <238FEE83-6F52-49AA-8485-8DFBF792BD4F@pa.net>
Message-ID: <E001A103-30C6-4FDB-A85E-6B9A1E70E849@verizon.net>

Thanks to Mike and the gang at the Nittany ARC for the great certificate I received in the mail today for winning Montgomery County (MGY) in the 2015 party.  Thanks to Mike and everyone at Nittany ARC for their great leadership for the party.  Can't wait for October! 

73,
Bill

Bill Henderson 
NW3H
nw3h at verizon.net

Sent from my iPhone 

> On Jan 4, 2016, at 6:16 PM, K3SV <k3sv at pa.net> wrote:
> 
> Received nice certificate from Nittany ARC for operating out-of-state in PA QSO Party. Nice touch from a class operation. Thanks. 
> 
> 73 Bill K3SV
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to nw3h at verizon.net

From tombehler at gmail.com  Mon Jan  4 19:20:52 2016
From: tombehler at gmail.com (Tom Behler)
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 19:20:52 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Wallpaper
In-Reply-To: <238FEE83-6F52-49AA-8485-8DFBF792BD4F@pa.net>
References: <238FEE83-6F52-49AA-8485-8DFBF792BD4F@pa.net>
Message-ID: <008201d1474e$f009cb90$d01d62b0$@gmail.com>

Got mine too as documentation of my first place from Michigan.

Very nice!

Now, I am looking forward to receiveing the County Sweep plaque that I
ordered to document my first time ever achievement of that milestone.

What a great operating event the PA QSO Party is!

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ, Big Rapids, MI



-----Original Message-----
From: PaQSO [mailto:paqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of K3SV
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2016 6:17 PM
To: PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [PaQSO] Wallpaper

Received nice certificate from Nittany ARC for operating out-of-state in PA
QSO Party. Nice touch from a class operation. Thanks. 

73 Bill K3SV

Sent from my iPad
______________________________________________________________
PaQSO mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
delivered to tombehler at gmail.com


From peteralbright1 at gmail.com  Mon Jan  4 19:44:46 2016
From: peteralbright1 at gmail.com (Peter Albright)
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 19:44:46 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Wallpaper
In-Reply-To: <E001A103-30C6-4FDB-A85E-6B9A1E70E849@verizon.net>
References: <238FEE83-6F52-49AA-8485-8DFBF792BD4F@pa.net>
	<E001A103-30C6-4FDB-A85E-6B9A1E70E849@verizon.net>
Message-ID: <CANqvRYGnhg4Dxtpq1cfbSr7fa6ATEo0U35H6DfxD5w9BFuwf_g@mail.gmail.com>

Laurie and I received 13 certificates for our multi-op mobile effort.
Thanks so much to Mike and the Club - you do a wonderful job. Next year, we
want to have more competition in the NW quadrant of the state!
Peter (AA2AD) and Laurie (N3KZI) as W3CG (Union City Wireless Association)

-Peter

On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 6:28 PM, Bill Henderson <nw3h at verizon.net> wrote:

> Thanks to Mike and the gang at the Nittany ARC for the great certificate I
> received in the mail today for winning Montgomery County (MGY) in the 2015
> party.  Thanks to Mike and everyone at Nittany ARC for their great
> leadership for the party.  Can't wait for October!
>
> 73,
> Bill
>
> Bill Henderson
> NW3H
> nw3h at verizon.net
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Jan 4, 2016, at 6:16 PM, K3SV <k3sv at pa.net> wrote:
> >
> > Received nice certificate from Nittany ARC for operating out-of-state in
> PA QSO Party. Nice touch from a class operation. Thanks.
> >
> > 73 Bill K3SV
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > PaQSO mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to nw3h at verizon.net
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to peteralbright1 at gmail.com
>

From mcoslo at comcast.net  Mon Jan  4 21:10:50 2016
From: mcoslo at comcast.net (Michael Coslo)
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 21:10:50 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Party updates
Message-ID: <8120042E-24AE-46B8-A92F-10FA1759DE09@comcast.net>

Okay, as some have noted, the certificates have gone out. And should be all delivered in the next few days.

Plaques are next on the list. I have one special design left for the Carpetbagger award, after which they will go to the engravers. I?ll get an expected return date after the engraver lets me know. 

Next up is I am cogitating how to recognize the County line stations. We have been getting a few more of these, and we don?t really have any official recognition yet.

So I will give some thought - probably a certificate class that I?m thinking of so far.


-73 de Mike N3LI -


From TwelveVDC at aol.com  Thu Jan  7 13:10:51 2016
From: TwelveVDC at aol.com (TwelveVDC at aol.com)
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 13:10:51 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] W3TDF SK
Message-ID: <B061E05F-7011-4FDB-BCD0-866E59580E76@aol.com>

It is my sad duty to report that Ray Bilger / W3TDF became a Silent Key this morning at 2am.

The end came peacefully while surrounded by a cadre of loving family members taking turns caring for Ray over these past many weeks while under acute hospice care.

Ray's operating skills, salty humor and wit, as well as his decades of Membership in the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, The Quarter Century Wireless Association, The Radio Club Of America, and legendary record-breaking performances in the PAQSO Party, will be long remembered by hundreds of friends whose lives were improved for having known him.

It was my honor to be among those who learned a thing or two from "da Grump."

Tentative arrangements are scheduled for Monday evening at Naugle F/H in Quakertown from 6-8pm.

With a heavy heart,
de Pete / NL7XM 
SK 



















From n3vqhstuff at gmail.com  Thu Jan  7 16:21:11 2016
From: n3vqhstuff at gmail.com (Michael Stackpoole)
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 16:21:11 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] W3TDF SK
In-Reply-To: <B061E05F-7011-4FDB-BCD0-866E59580E76@aol.com>
References: <B061E05F-7011-4FDB-BCD0-866E59580E76@aol.com>
Message-ID: <CAPUrEi1SHvhp0NYYmhddw2eBGOG5WfVG7qJ7FypW3xbuW=XjgQ@mail.gmail.com>

Sad to hear... the party won't be the same without him.

73
Mike
N3VQH

On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 1:10 PM, TwelveVDC--- via PaQSO <
paqso at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> It is my sad duty to report that Ray Bilger / W3TDF became a Silent Key
> this morning at 2am.
>
> The end came peacefully while surrounded by a cadre of loving family
> members taking turns caring for Ray over these past many weeks while under
> acute hospice care.
>
> Ray's operating skills, salty humor and wit, as well as his decades of
> Membership in the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, The Quarter Century
> Wireless Association, The Radio Club Of America, and legendary
> record-breaking performances in the PAQSO Party, will be long remembered by
> hundreds of friends whose lives were improved for having known him.
>
> It was my honor to be among those who learned a thing or two from "da
> Grump."
>
> Tentative arrangements are scheduled for Monday evening at Naugle F/H in
> Quakertown from 6-8pm.
>
> With a heavy heart,
> de Pete / NL7XM
> SK
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to n3vqhstuff at gmail.com
>

From tvguy07 at gmail.com  Thu Jan  7 16:40:39 2016
From: tvguy07 at gmail.com (John Myers)
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 16:40:39 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] W3TDF SK
In-Reply-To: <B061E05F-7011-4FDB-BCD0-866E59580E76@aol.com>
References: <B061E05F-7011-4FDB-BCD0-866E59580E76@aol.com>
Message-ID: <CAJ9pbrnLNRD7S0JouCowzc6Rt-Gm+GmCeobzUcdPdWmAAPkSWQ@mail.gmail.com>

Pete,

Thanks for sharing this. Ray was / IS a legend in the PAQP. His
contributions to both the party, and the sport won't be soon forgotten.

John, KD8MQ

On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 1:10 PM, TwelveVDC--- via PaQSO <
paqso at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> It is my sad duty to report that Ray Bilger / W3TDF became a Silent Key
> this morning at 2am.
>
> The end came peacefully while surrounded by a cadre of loving family
> members taking turns caring for Ray over these past many weeks while under
> acute hospice care.
>
> Ray's operating skills, salty humor and wit, as well as his decades of
> Membership in the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, The Quarter Century
> Wireless Association, The Radio Club Of America, and legendary
> record-breaking performances in the PAQSO Party, will be long remembered by
> hundreds of friends whose lives were improved for having known him.
>
> It was my honor to be among those who learned a thing or two from "da
> Grump."
>
> Tentative arrangements are scheduled for Monday evening at Naugle F/H in
> Quakertown from 6-8pm.
>
> With a heavy heart,
> de Pete / NL7XM
> SK
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to tvguy07 at gmail.com
>

From goody.k3ng at gmail.com  Thu Jan  7 16:59:04 2016
From: goody.k3ng at gmail.com (Goody K3NG)
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 16:59:04 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] W3TDF SK
In-Reply-To: <CAJ9pbrnLNRD7S0JouCowzc6Rt-Gm+GmCeobzUcdPdWmAAPkSWQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <B061E05F-7011-4FDB-BCD0-866E59580E76@aol.com>
	<CAJ9pbrnLNRD7S0JouCowzc6Rt-Gm+GmCeobzUcdPdWmAAPkSWQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAK2SEyvKUJG=EBPchw46g2Bys2Hd8gixEe5uZEJj1v8A2O=E9g@mail.gmail.com>

So sad.  I'm happy that we honored Ray in 2014 with the bonus station
operation, and Ray's spirit will continue to live on in us and the Party.

73, OM

Hope to see you someday in the big hamshack in the sky!

Goody
K3NG
dit dit

On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 4:40 PM, John Myers <tvguy07 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Pete,
>
> Thanks for sharing this. Ray was / IS a legend in the PAQP. His
> contributions to both the party, and the sport won't be soon forgotten.
>
> John, KD8MQ
>
> On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 1:10 PM, TwelveVDC--- via PaQSO <
> paqso at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
> > It is my sad duty to report that Ray Bilger / W3TDF became a Silent Key
> > this morning at 2am.
> >
> > The end came peacefully while surrounded by a cadre of loving family
> > members taking turns caring for Ray over these past many weeks while
> under
> > acute hospice care.
> >
> > Ray's operating skills, salty humor and wit, as well as his decades of
> > Membership in the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, The Quarter Century
> > Wireless Association, The Radio Club Of America, and legendary
> > record-breaking performances in the PAQSO Party, will be long remembered
> by
> > hundreds of friends whose lives were improved for having known him.
> >
> > It was my honor to be among those who learned a thing or two from "da
> > Grump."
> >
> > Tentative arrangements are scheduled for Monday evening at Naugle F/H in
> > Quakertown from 6-8pm.
> >
> > With a heavy heart,
> > de Pete / NL7XM
> > SK
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > PaQSO mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to tvguy07 at gmail.com
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to goody.k3ng at gmail.com
>

From wa4pgm at embarqmail.com  Thu Jan  7 18:48:33 2016
From: wa4pgm at embarqmail.com (Kyle Chavis)
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 18:48:33 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] W3TDF SK
In-Reply-To: <B061E05F-7011-4FDB-BCD0-866E59580E76@aol.com>
References: <B061E05F-7011-4FDB-BCD0-866E59580E76@aol.com>
Message-ID: <568EF951.3050202@embarqmail.com>

Very sad indeed. We lost one of the great ones although never forgotten 
a star is shining bright in heaven.
RIP,
Kyle, WA4PGM

On 1/7/2016 1:10 PM, TwelveVDC--- via PaQSO wrote:
> It is my sad duty to report that Ray Bilger / W3TDF became a Silent Key this morning at 2am.
>
> The end came peacefully while surrounded by a cadre of loving family members taking turns caring for Ray over these past many weeks while under acute hospice care.
>
> Ray's operating skills, salty humor and wit, as well as his decades of Membership in the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, The Quarter Century Wireless Association, The Radio Club Of America, and legendary record-breaking performances in the PAQSO Party, will be long remembered by hundreds of friends whose lives were improved for having known him.
>
> It was my honor to be among those who learned a thing or two from "da Grump."
>
> Tentative arrangements are scheduled for Monday evening at Naugle F/H in Quakertown from 6-8pm.
>
> With a heavy heart,
> de Pete / NL7XM
> SK
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to wa4pgm at embarqmail.com
>


From mkempisty at verizon.net  Thu Jan  7 20:24:30 2016
From: mkempisty at verizon.net (mkempisty at verizon.net)
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 2016 20:24:30 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] W3TDF SK
Message-ID: <dpdd2b4ci6ot873ouehmf4ii.1452216270377@email.lge.com>

My condolences to his family and friends.
It was always fun to read his posts on the reflector and work him on the air
Take care.MarkAA3K
Sent from my LG G4, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
------ Original message------From: Kyle ChavisDate: Thu, Jan 7, 2016 6:50 PMTo: TwelveVDC at aol.com;paqso at mailman.qth.net;Cc: Subject:Re: [PaQSO] W3TDF SK
Very sad indeed. We lost one of the great ones although never forgotten a star is shining bright in heaven.RIP,Kyle, WA4PGMOn 1/7/2016 1:10 PM, TwelveVDC--- via PaQSO wrote:> It is my sad duty to report that Ray Bilger / W3TDF became a Silent Key this morning at 2am.>> The end came peacefully while surrounded by a cadre of loving family members taking turns caring for Ray over these past many weeks while under acute hospice care.>> Ray's operating skills, salty humor and wit, as well as his decades of Membership in the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, The Quarter Century Wireless Association, The Radio Club Of America, and legendary record-breaking performances in the PAQSO Party, will be long remembered by hundreds of friends whose lives were improved for having known him.>> It was my honor to be among those who learned a thing or two from "da Grump.">> Tentative arrangements are scheduled for Monday evening at Naugle F/H in Quakertown from 6-8pm.>> With a heavy heart,> de Pete / NL7XM> SK>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ______________________________________________________________> PaQSO mailing list> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> Message delivered to wa4pgm at embarqmail.com>______________________________________________________________PaQSO mailing listHome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqsoHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.netThis list hosted by: http://www.qsl.netPlease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlMessage delivered to mkempisty at verizon.net

From TwelveVDC at aol.com  Fri Jan  8 00:43:12 2016
From: TwelveVDC at aol.com (TwelveVDC at aol.com)
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 00:43:12 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Raymond P. 'Ray' Bilger - W3TDF
References: <96F0580F-D316-4639-9843-5C21D1AE23D2@aol.com>
Message-ID: <2A883C2D-A6D2-4D34-ABB8-3F1A1F2D26D4@aol.com>

Great pictures of 'da Grump here: 

http://qcwa.org/w3tdf-22190-sk.htm

-NL7XM 




















From xt600 at email.com  Fri Jan  8 03:09:27 2016
From: xt600 at email.com (xt 600)
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 09:09:27 +0100
Subject: [PaQSO] DaGrump
Message-ID: <trinity-4dae2328-6570-4589-bb48-98e37df55f16-1452240567007@3capp-mailcom-lxa07>


From wa2fgk at yahoo.com  Fri Jan  8 12:53:01 2016
From: wa2fgk at yahoo.com (Herb Krumich)
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 17:53:01 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [PaQSO] TDF
References: <1463488202.2264149.1452275581917.JavaMail.yahoo.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <1463488202.2264149.1452275581917.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com>

I was saddened to hear about Ray. 
But on another note, I was thrilled to be a helping hand in Ray getting on 144 EME.A bunch of years ago he came to my QTH and purchased the amp for EME.He went out of this world enjoying this tremendous hobby.RIP GrumpHerb K2LNS

From n2cu at roadrunner.com  Fri Jan  8 18:01:02 2016
From: n2cu at roadrunner.com (Tom Williams)
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 18:01:02 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] W3TDF SK
Message-ID: <772C8A2D9633477888EC3427EBAD26D1@696908E74163425>

I only knew "da Grump" from my participation in the PAQP; never met him in
person. He seemed like quite a character, in the best sense. I believe it
was this past PAQP (?) when he checked into the Friday night net and
mentioned this would be his last PAQP. Who would have known? My condolences
to the family.

 

73,

Tom N2CU <><

K3 #3582

 


From TwelveVDC at aol.com  Fri Jan  8 20:44:41 2016
From: TwelveVDC at aol.com (TwelveVDC at aol.com)
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 20:44:41 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Services for W3TDF Monday in Quakertown, PA
Message-ID: <88E8EFBA-A0E7-40CF-AAF4-D11F6EFD27C6@aol.com>

Services for W3TDF Monday in Quakertown, PA

http://www.janauglefcs.com/tribute/details/1196/Raymond_P_Bilger/obituary.html#tribute-start

de NL7XM 
































From heathkit at juno.com  Fri Jan  8 21:33:59 2016
From: heathkit at juno.com (W3ZF)
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 02:33:59 GMT
Subject: [PaQSO] Fond memories: W3TDF - relishing the moment!
Message-ID: <20160108.213359.21202.0@webmail11.vgs.untd.com>

http://users.rcn.com/daniel.ruth/RayTroph.jpg This was 1998, I believe DLARC had just won the trophy (again). RIP Ray...I may call on you to hang an dipole off a cloud for me soon. Danny  W3ZF

From xt600 at email.com  Fri Jan  8 23:52:46 2016
From: xt600 at email.com (xt 600)
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 05:52:46 +0100
Subject: [PaQSO] DaGrump
Message-ID: <trinity-d078081d-24b7-4079-9477-754974c492d6-1452315165991@3capp-mailcom-lxa15>



DaGrump,
?
73 OM
?
Brian N3LZV
?

From jimk8mr at aol.com  Sat Jan  9 11:20:42 2016
From: jimk8mr at aol.com (jimk8mr at aol.com)
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 11:20:42 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] W3TDF
Message-ID: <15227309a78-7882-679c@webprd-a95.mail.aol.com>

I had the good fortune to have met Ray, maybe 7 years ago, while out mobiling the PaQP. We had spent the night in New Columbia, and on Sunday morning, knowing that Ray was operating over in Montour county, stopped by to say hello and check out his camper based portable setup.

My last QSO with Ray was in the last PaQP, on 40 SSB. My most memorable QSO with him was the previous one. Last summer I was visiting in Cape Cod over the CQ VHF contest, where I was able to get on the air from the rare FN51 grid square (the very eastern sliver of the Cape). Six never opened, but on two meter CW I heard Ray, and gave him a call. He was very weak, and I'm sure I was even weaker. It took far longer to complete the QSO than normal, but we both hung in there and I finally got him in the log. I'm sure it was a needed multiplier for him!

I admire Ray for having been able to hang in there with our common hobby to the very end.  RIP, OM.



Jim   K8MR

From k3cc at verizon.net  Sat Jan  9 13:25:39 2016
From: k3cc at verizon.net (k3cc at verizon.net)
Date: Sat, 09 Jan 2016 13:25:39 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Ray
Message-ID: <C7280C59286D4917B38238F898A7AFF9@SkipPC>

I knew Ray for many years...  Almost 50 if counting numbers...He was a 
fantastic husband, loved his wife dearly...  Ham radio, CW was his thing.
I never could use his bug...I have a lot of stories but many can't be 
printed....  He visited us one day when our red and black plums were just 
ripe.
Ray was going to make plum preserves... So he started in the orchard among 
the yellow jackets and bees....They never bothered him...But  he
ate as many very ripe plums as he picked....We lived in Kempton, PA about 50 
miles from Ray.....I'll leave it to imagination as to what happened
on the way home...One Thanksgiving, my wife and I had made a turkey and ham 
for Thanksgiving...We had a very large home and a table that
seated 12....and a kitchen table....Someone started on the 2 meter repeater 
and the next ting there was 8 hams and their partners...Ray and a woman
from South America, Bob Wf3h and wife, N3IYX, K3ANS and Hope, and a few I 
don't remember....that came to dinner....What a fun day that was..
If you can imagine abt 10 hams in one place and their wives in with Jean my 
wife...Field Days,  20 meters that was Ray's...  The QCWA worked FD
at Ray's place in Springtown, PA and I remember  my station was in a very 
HOT bread truck...I don't know who got stuck in the
Horse trailer but in was rank.  FD at night  W3LR's wife would bring us hot 
Hobo stew   great food....For some reason a lot of our time was spent 
eating.
QCWA picnic's,  W3OK Picnic's , saturday's picnic just for fun....
In some cases Ray was like a father to me.....and I was that thorn in his 
shoe !

de Skip   K3CC


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From sstepa at verizon.net  Sat Jan  9 14:01:39 2016
From: sstepa at verizon.net (Steven Stepansky)
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 19:01:39 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [PaQSO] Ray
In-Reply-To: <C7280C59286D4917B38238F898A7AFF9@SkipPC>
References: <C7280C59286D4917B38238F898A7AFF9@SkipPC>
Message-ID: <92540977.2691925.1452366099072.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com>

I did FD duty in that horse trailer years ago?and I'm not sure rank describes it all that well,,,it was beyond rank. K3ANS introduced me to Ray.?It took some time for me kind of figure Ray out and afterwards, he was quite the character to be around and I mean?that with full respect.? Last spoke to Ray in early October and he told me he knew the end was near but still geared up for PA QSO and a few other radio interests he wanted to do. I think ham radio kept him going.
Rest in Peace Ray.
73,
SteveKC3WX
?

      From: "k3cc at verizon.net" <k3cc at verizon.net>
 To: paqso at mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2016 1:25 PM
 Subject: Re: [PaQSO] Ray
   
I knew Ray for many years...? Almost 50 if counting numbers...He was a 
fantastic husband, loved his wife dearly...? Ham radio, CW was his thing.
I never could use his bug...I have a lot of stories but many can't be 
printed....? He visited us one day when our red and black plums were just 
ripe.
Ray was going to make plum preserves... So he started in the orchard among 
the yellow jackets and bees....They never bothered him...But? he
ate as many very ripe plums as he picked....We lived in Kempton, PA about 50 
miles from Ray.....I'll leave it to imagination as to what happened
on the way home...One Thanksgiving, my wife and I had made a turkey and ham 
for Thanksgiving...We had a very large home and a table that
seated 12....and a kitchen table....Someone started on the 2 meter repeater 
and the next ting there was 8 hams and their partners...Ray and a woman
from South America, Bob Wf3h and wife, N3IYX, K3ANS and Hope, and a few I 
don't remember....that came to dinner....What a fun day that was..
If you can imagine abt 10 hams in one place and their wives in with Jean my 
wife...Field Days,? 20 meters that was Ray's...? The QCWA worked FD
at Ray's place in Springtown, PA and I remember? my station was in a very 
HOT bread truck...I don't know who got stuck in the
Horse trailer but in was rank.? FD at night? W3LR's wife would bring us hot 
Hobo stew? great food....For some reason a lot of our time was spent 
eating.
QCWA picnic's,? W3OK Picnic's , saturday's picnic just for fun....
In some cases Ray was like a father to me.....and I was that thorn in his 
shoe !

de Skip? K3CC


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From TwelveVDC at aol.com  Sat Jan  9 14:43:12 2016
From: TwelveVDC at aol.com (TwelveVDC at aol.com)
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 14:43:12 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Ray
In-Reply-To: <92540977.2691925.1452366099072.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com>
References: <C7280C59286D4917B38238F898A7AFF9@SkipPC>
	<92540977.2691925.1452366099072.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <2340DE67-029B-4AEC-843D-A8E849AC89EE@aol.com>

And to think I was the only one to serve in that foul horse trailer manning the 6m FD operating position at Grumpy Acres while Ray was in the air-conditioned "Thing Of Beauty" for the entire weekend... a couple of years in a row!

(I don't even have to close my eyes to remember that godawful stink.) Guess it was always the least in seniority to get assigned there, hi!

I had too much going on to fully participate in this year's PArty, but I did turn the rig on just to make one single, important Q. I found the Grump immediately, and logged him for the last time. I was very moved by the remarkably wide berth he was considerately afforded on 75 phone that day. It was clearly not coincidence. The band was mayhem outside +/- 10kc on either side of Ray the whole time I listened.

Those of you who can attend the Service Monday evening, please incorporate or display some small badge or identifier on your garment that will reflect to the family your connection to Ray was through radio. This will be a meaningful tribute to the medium we came to know him by.

-Pete / NL7XM 




> On Jan 9, 2016, at 2:01 PM, Steven Stepansky <sstepa at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
> I did FD duty in that horse trailer years ago and I'm not sure rank describes it all that well,,,it was beyond rank. K3ANS introduced me to Ray. It took some time for me kind of figure Ray out and afterwards, he was quite the character to be around and I mean that with full respect.  Last spoke to Ray in early October and he told me he knew the end was near but still geared up for PA QSO and a few other radio interests he wanted to do. I think ham radio kept him going.
> Rest in Peace Ray.
> 73,
> SteveKC3WX
>  
> 
>      From: "k3cc at verizon.net" <k3cc at verizon.net>
> To: paqso at mailman.qth.net 
> Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2016 1:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [PaQSO] Ray
> 
> I knew Ray for many years...  Almost 50 if counting numbers...He was a 
> fantastic husband, loved his wife dearly...  Ham radio, CW was his thing.
> I never could use his bug...I have a lot of stories but many can't be 
> printed....  He visited us one day when our red and black plums were just 
> ripe.
> Ray was going to make plum preserves... So he started in the orchard among 
> the yellow jackets and bees....They never bothered him...But  he
> ate as many very ripe plums as he picked....We lived in Kempton, PA about 50 
> miles from Ray.....I'll leave it to imagination as to what happened
> on the way home...One Thanksgiving, my wife and I had made a turkey and ham 
> for Thanksgiving...We had a very large home and a table that
> seated 12....and a kitchen table....Someone started on the 2 meter repeater 
> and the next ting there was 8 hams and their partners...Ray and a woman
> from South America, Bob Wf3h and wife, N3IYX, K3ANS and Hope, and a few I 
> don't remember....that came to dinner....What a fun day that was..
> If you can imagine abt 10 hams in one place and their wives in with Jean my 
> wife...Field Days,  20 meters that was Ray's...  The QCWA worked FD
> at Ray's place in Springtown, PA and I remember  my station was in a very 
> HOT bread truck...I don't know who got stuck in the
> Horse trailer but in was rank.  FD at night  W3LR's wife would bring us hot 
> Hobo stew  great food....For some reason a lot of our time was spent 
> eating.
> QCWA picnic's,  W3OK Picnic's , saturday's picnic just for fun....
> In some cases Ray was like a father to me.....and I was that thorn in his 
> shoe !
> 
> de Skip  K3CC
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net/
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to sstepa at verizon.net
> 
> 
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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> 
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to twelvevdc at aol.com

From mark.j.schreiner at gmail.com  Sat Jan  9 15:15:27 2016
From: mark.j.schreiner at gmail.com (Mark Schreiner)
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 15:15:27 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Ray
In-Reply-To: <92540977.2691925.1452366099072.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com>
References: <C7280C59286D4917B38238F898A7AFF9@SkipPC>
	<92540977.2691925.1452366099072.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <CAHoK1k3gr6rSssH2JTXu14+xw=cwYH9kyv_SrtCq+MwY7=XEGw@mail.gmail.com>

I was living in Bucks County from 1994 to 2001 and was invited at some
point or another during that time, probably closer to 1996, to operate at
Grumpy Acres for Field Day.  I didn't know Ray at that time but Don Curtis,
W3LR, invited me.  Of course I got to know Ray along the way over the
nearly 20 years since, and was invited back to Grumpy Acres for many more
FD efforts.

Yes, my first time there, after quickly finishing off the 100 QSOs in the
GOTA station, I was then told to operate VHF on 6m and 2m from the horse
trailer.  Really?  Well, having grown up on a farm in Michigan I guess I
didn't notice the smell so much, but I did notice that the other
accommodations were much better!  I kept busy on other HF bands in future
years and didn't venture into the horse trailer again.  I also found that
operating the midnight to 8 AM shift was like "virtual air conditioning"
and was my preferred shift while The Grump was able to get some sleep.
Since moving to State College six years ago I sure have missed doing FD at
Grumpy Acres.

I was pleased to speak with Ray on the phone quite often over the past
couple of years since I moved from that area.  I am also quite pleased to
have taken a vacation day in August to drive out there to visit with him in
person one last time.  I've mostly modeled my own PA QSO Party operations
after what Ray has done for so many years, operating from a relatively rare
county to provide QSOs for those other participants, and often missing a
clean sweep myself (the county I operated from), but glad to be in a "rare
one" (especially Cameron, that was particularly popular!).  I hope to
continue the tradition for many years to come.  I was also glad to be a
participant and co-chairman (with Pete, NL7XM) of the 2014 PA QSO Party
Bonus Station effort for the multi-county W3TDF/xxx effort.  I was so glad
that event turned out as well as it did.

Like many others, my last QSO in the logbook with him was for the PA QSO
Party this past year.  Certainly the singular highlight of the 2015 PAQP
for me!  I was glad to hear so many folks calling Ray as well.  I'm sure he
really enjoyed his limited time on the air for that.

I'll sure miss Ray, but I wouldn't be as active in PAQP had I not gotten to
know him!  Thanks Ray!

73 and BCNU!

Mark, NK8Q

On Sat, Jan 9, 2016 at 2:01 PM, Steven Stepansky <sstepa at verizon.net> wrote:

> I did FD duty in that horse trailer years ago and I'm not sure rank
> describes it all that well,,,it was beyond rank. K3ANS introduced me to
> Ray. It took some time for me kind of figure Ray out and afterwards, he was
> quite the character to be around and I mean that with full respect.  Last
> spoke to Ray in early October and he told me he knew the end was near but
> still geared up for PA QSO and a few other radio interests he wanted to do.
> I think ham radio kept him going.
> Rest in Peace Ray.
> 73,
> SteveKC3WX
>
>
>       From: "k3cc at verizon.net" <k3cc at verizon.net>
>  To: paqso at mailman.qth.net
>  Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2016 1:25 PM
>  Subject: Re: [PaQSO] Ray
>
> I knew Ray for many years...  Almost 50 if counting numbers...He was a
> fantastic husband, loved his wife dearly...  Ham radio, CW was his thing.
> I never could use his bug...I have a lot of stories but many can't be
> printed....  He visited us one day when our red and black plums were just
> ripe.
> Ray was going to make plum preserves... So he started in the orchard among
> the yellow jackets and bees....They never bothered him...But  he
> ate as many very ripe plums as he picked....We lived in Kempton, PA about
> 50
> miles from Ray.....I'll leave it to imagination as to what happened
> on the way home...One Thanksgiving, my wife and I had made a turkey and ham
> for Thanksgiving...We had a very large home and a table that
> seated 12....and a kitchen table....Someone started on the 2 meter repeater
> and the next ting there was 8 hams and their partners...Ray and a woman
> from South America, Bob Wf3h and wife, N3IYX, K3ANS and Hope, and a few I
> don't remember....that came to dinner....What a fun day that was..
> If you can imagine abt 10 hams in one place and their wives in with Jean my
> wife...Field Days,  20 meters that was Ray's...  The QCWA worked FD
> at Ray's place in Springtown, PA and I remember  my station was in a very
> HOT bread truck...I don't know who got stuck in the
> Horse trailer but in was rank.  FD at night  W3LR's wife would bring us hot
> Hobo stew  great food....For some reason a lot of our time was spent
> eating.
> QCWA picnic's,  W3OK Picnic's , saturday's picnic just for fun....
> In some cases Ray was like a father to me.....and I was that thorn in his
> shoe !
>
> de Skip  K3CC
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net/
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to sstepa at verizon.net
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> PaQSO mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/paqso
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:PaQSO at mailman.qth.net
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to mark.j.schreiner at gmail.com
>

From mcoslo at comcast.net  Wed Jan 13 21:35:01 2016
From: mcoslo at comcast.net (Michael Coslo)
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:35:01 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Party update
Message-ID: <705C64A8-6B09-489E-9BB6-7FC63F8DC592@comcast.net>

The sponsored plaques went out to the engravers today.  They should be finished in about a month. The 67 county plaques will go out soon - I had a little issue with the veracity of what the database was telling me.

-73 de Mike N3LI -


From TwelveVDC at aol.com  Sat Jan 16 15:10:54 2016
From: TwelveVDC at aol.com (TwelveVDC at aol.com)
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 15:10:54 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Estate of W3TDF posted
Message-ID: <039D120E-11D9-46EA-94CD-BC2E8ABE0B07@aol.com>

Friends, 2 links below (to click or paste) will take you to lists of gear from the estate of PAQSO Legend, Ray "da Grump" Bilger / W3TDF, (SK) in EPA.

Trusted colleague Skip Paulson / W1PV has been designated by Ray's survivors to administer the disposition of all his station apparatus and accessories immediately.

The list is varied but not all inclusive. As more equipment is identified and inventoried, it will appear in subsequent posts, so please check often and frequently over the coming days. Everything is priced to move quickly according to the wishes of the family, so do not get shut out by waiting to convey your interest.

Skips contact information can be found at the end of each ad on the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club (DLARC) website's For Sale forum, where Ray was an Honorary Life Member.

http://www.dlarc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=153

http://www.dlarc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=154

de NL7XM


































From TwelveVDC at aol.com  Tue Jan 19 07:58:41 2016
From: TwelveVDC at aol.com (TwelveVDC at aol.com)
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 07:58:41 -0500
Subject: [PaQSO] Tribute To W3TDF
Message-ID: <677B33D8-D614-46EE-9A0D-2368677BC084@aol.com>

A tribute memorial page for Ray / W3TDF, has been established in the "Friends Remembered" section on eHam.net. Anyone may add their own favorite photo, remarks, or share a brief story to the page for posterity as a wonderful way to pay your respect for 'da Grump.

Please visit:

http://www.eham.net/friends/displaystory/7080

de Pete / NL7XM