Bill Scott W4UVP true to his last name was a redheaded friendly fellow who I first met on the second day after receiving my Novice license in July 1952. On the 80-meter novice band, his call was the first response to a CQ sent out by me. He was only the second ham I had talked to on the air. That first CW QSO with Bill lasted one hour and five minutes. I found out that Bill lived just across town from me and soon after, I met him in person. Bill made every local hamfest and was well known at all the local area Radio clubs. He was active in Field Day wherever he could find a club operating.
On February 9, 1953 I made my first QSO as a General Class ham. A week later Bill offered to "loan" me a Xtal for 7.021Mhz so I could get off the 80 meter Novice band and on 40 Meters, and on the second harmonic, 20 Meters with my homebrew crystal controlled novice rig. That opened up the possibility of working DX on those higher bands, and changed my ham life forever.
In searching for an idea for a new QSL card design, I came across his card from 1952 and realized I had always been fond of the design. So, in honor of y friendship with Bill -W4UVP and to commemorate my 60th year as a ham which is coming up in 2012, I adapted some of the design elements of his old card and came up with a design which I have just had printed. Thanks to Bill who took the time to help a young boy in his early days of radio, I have been active ever since and his wish for my success in radio as written on his QSL card for me certainly came true. Being a ham has influenced my life in many ways including determining my lifetime occupation in electronics. I have met and become friends with countless hams across the country in the intervening years. My Ham Radio hobby has been an adventure and it still is.
Dick Church, N4ARO (ex WN4WNJ – W4WNJ – W6IMD)
Bill always had a smile and a handshake for everyone.
I used his bow to put up an 80 meter loop skywire on St. Simons Island (NA-058) and I made nearly 6,000 QSOs on the IOTA frequencies
plus won the SE Division Award for Low Power in the 1992 ARRL DX SSB.
Bill was a long time member of the Southeastern DX Club and ran low power to work DX.
Bill is gone now but not forgotten.
Dave K4JRB