[QCWA Hotlist] 2022-008 - Former QCWA Director & President Harry Dannals, W2HD - Silent Key

[Ken Oelke - VE6AFO]

August 31, 2022

 From QCWA Headquarters

http://www.qcwa.org

QCWA Bulletin 2022-008 - Former QCWA Director & President Harry Dannals, 
W2HD - Silent Key

It is with sadness we report the passing of QCWA Life Member # 7425, 
Harry Dannals, W2HD of Charlottesville, VA on August 30, 2022 at the age 
of 95.

Harry was first licensed in 1946 as W2TUK. He was a member of QCWA 
Chapter 155 andAlbemarle Amateur Radio Club. A name synonymous with ham 
radio for nearly eight decades, was one of four Members elevated to 
President Emeritus in 2010. The others elected to this prestigious 
position were Leland W. Smith, W5KL, (1989), Lewis 'Mac' McCoy, W1ICP 
(1996) and Bob Roske, NØUF in 2019.

Dannals was best known for his decade (1972 to 1982) serving as 
President of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and also serving as 
President of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) from 1989 
to 1994. He is the only person to have ever held this leadership 
position in both organizations. Harry also served as QCWA Director from 
1983 to 1985.

Dannals served in the Navy where his father (Earl Dannals, W2GG (SK)) 
was the commanding officer, and was discharged in mid 1941. Harry then 
enrolled at Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (now Polytechnic Institute 
of New York University), majoring in electrical engineering with an 
emphasis on electronics. After graduating from college in 1950 he 
applied for a direct commission as a naval officer, which resulted in a 
new Ensign being added to the ranks. He served several decades as 
commanding officer of two highly rated Security Group divisions, an 
association with the communications world, ending with his retirement 
from the Navy as a full Commander in 1987. During this time he was 
employed by the Sperry Corporation where he worked in radar and other 
engineering programs for nearly 40 years.

In addition to his work with both the QCWA and ARRL, he is a Fellow in 
the Radio Club of America, a member of the Society of Wireless Pioneers, 
the Old Old Timers Club and Veteran Wireless Operators Association. In 
2002 he was inducted into the CQ Magazine Amateur Radio Hall of Fame.

During his involvement with the ARRL he held many offices at various 
levels. As part of the League's Field Organization, he held appointments 
as Official Relay Station (ORS); Official Phone Station (OPS); Official 
Observer (00), and Emergency Coordinator (EC). He held elected positions 
as Section Communications Manager (SCM), (now Section Manager) (SM)), 
Vice Director and Director of the ARRL Hudson Division.

When Harry turned 95 in April, he mentioned that when he was 10 years 
old, he learned Morse code with his best friend and was able to master 
50 - 60 words per minute. On his 95th birthday he was visited by his 
friend, Jim Wilson, K4BAV, and his son, Bob Dannals, W2GG, who holds a 
Ph.D. and is a professor in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of 
Radiology and Radiological Science in Baltimore, Maryland.

"On August 27, 2022, Harry Dannals (W2HD) was visited by his youngest 
daughter Mary Dannals-Johnson (from Long Island) and his 2 sons Tom 
Dannals (W2TUK, Harry’s old call, from Winston-Salem, NC) and Bob 
Dannals, W2GG, (Harry’s father’s old call, from Sparks, MD) at Our Lady 
of Peace retirement community in Charlottesville VA. Bob read to his 
father the words on the QCWA 75 year anniversary certificate that QCWA 
recently presented to Harry. Harry reminisced about old times with his 
close friend (regarded as a member of the family), Warren Lueck, W2VKS (SK).

My father had lots of friends, but “Uncle Warren”, as my siblings and I 
called him, was one of the closest (as close as his brother, Frank 
Dannals. W2DRL). Warren passed in 1997, but I recall Thanksgiving and 
Christmas dinners shared between the 2 families each year when I was 
going up. It’s interesting that it’s his memory that my dad is now 
holding so close as he moves in and out of consciousness. It must have 
been a very deep connection.

My dad considered each ham that he met to be a member of his extended 
family and cared greatly and fought mightily for all hams in his 
administrative roles with the ARRL.

We are all members of the worldwide community that started with Marconi 
and continued with Maxim.  It’s a wonderful legacy, and I’m happy to be 
part of it."

73,

Bob Dannals, W2GG

And former Chapter 155 President Bob Pattison, K4DU wrote;

"I am writing to inform you that Harry Dannals, W2HD, became a Silent 
Key today. An active member for years of the AARC, Harry led a life 
devoted to promoting amateur radio, demonstrating the hobby, and helping 
people get their licenses.

He served as President of the ARRL for 10 years, longer than anyone else 
other than “The Old Man” Hiram Percy Maxim, founder of the League. He 
also served as President for two terms of the Quarter Century Wireless 
Association.  At his death, Harry was President Emeritus of both 
organizations.

I do not have information about when his service will be. As soon as I 
know I will pass that along."

Bob, K4DU


47 & 73,

Ken Oelke, VE6AFO
President, Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc.



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