[PaQSO] TRIBUTE TO RAY, W3TDF

[TwelveVDC at aol.com]

OUR TRIBUTE TO RAY, W3TDF

Ray Bilger was the Quarter Century Wireless Association’s Chapter 17 President for ten years and was an amazing and unique friend, outstanding Amateur Radio Operator and Contester Extraordinaire. Ray was an encyclopedia of Ham Radio information, facts and accomplishments. Ray’s passing in January 2016 had been a loss to not only the Amateur fraternity but especially to QCWA Chapter 17, his good-natured competitors in the PAQSO Party, as well as his local friends at the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club in EPA. With the help of many we have been able to continue to increase Membership in Allentown / Bethlehem / Easton’s Chapter 17 and maintain very healthy participation in our Monday Nite Net along with Members of our sister Chapter, 224 in Wyoming Valley at 8:30pm ET on 3.962 +/- QRM. 
 
More than two years ago, Chapter 17 Members voted affirmatively to change our Station Callsign from W3GS to W3TDF to honor Ray, but we had to wait for FCC Regulations regarding reassignment of vacated Amateur Callsigns because of Cancellation and Grace Period provisions. The opportunity to secure Ray’s callsign as a legacy for Chapter 17 finally arrived, and we proceeded in earnest to fulfill the wishes of our Members. 
 
The FCC just granted our application on June 18, 2019. Now our On-Air presence will be easily recognized with the familiar call of W3TDF, only now that of QCWA Chapter 17 as a lasting and fitting Memorial to Ray who meant much to so many. 
 
We hope you share our enthusiasm as we officially return W3TDF to the Amateur bands, beginning with Field Day this weekend. 
 
Joel WB3IWC 
President, Chapter 17 
Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc. 
*QCWA Chapter 17 meets every 3rd Saturday at 8:30AM ET, for Business and Breakfast at the Borderline Restaurant, 2100 W. Union Blvd., Lehigh Shopping Center, Bethlehem, PA 

**If you were First Licensed in 1994 or earlier, and hold a current ticket today, you qualify for Membership in QCWA. Our Members are everywhere. Ask any one of us to learn more. 

47, de NL7XM