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Manager - VE3ROO
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Friend : Bill Maxson (N4AR)

It is with great sadness to report that Bill Maxson, N4AR became a SK on November 23, 2021. Rest in Peace OM.

Dr. William T. “Bill” Maxson, II, age 84, husband of Betty Maxson, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2021 in Dayton, OH. He was born June 12, 1937 in Lexington to the late, Charles Reynolds Maxson and Louise Broaddus Maxson. Bill graduated from Dennison University in Granville, OH where he met his wife Betty and received his MD from the University of Kentucky Medical School. Dr. Maxson was a member of ARRL and FOC. He was a HAM Radio enthusiast (call sign N4AR); enjoyed horse jumping which he took up at the age of 65; and was currently learning Latin. Along with his wife, Betty he is survived by his son, Scott (Elisha) Maxson; his brother, David (Nancy Gray) Maxson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Maxson.

Comments from Friends

K9FN: That sure is a kick in the teeth. I met Bill once, never really "knew" him, but for about 45 years I have had tremendous respect for him. Not only have we lost a friend and mentor, but ham radio has also lost a giant of a man.

W0JX: I am so sorry to hear this and for our loss. What a grand fellow. I can only assume that they were either on their way to Northern Michigan or on their way back to KY since Dayton in on I-75. I hate that road in the Dayton area. It is always so congested, and people are driving really fast. I wish Betty and the family well. I was so looking forward to visiting with Dr. Bill in Dayton again.

ZL1MH: That is indeed dreadful news & I am in a state of shock, so totally understand how you must be feeling! I will not even try to email or mail Betty, but am hopeful that she will recover OK. I met them both twice - on my 2 trips to Lords, way back when, & hit it off with Bill immediately (as I imagine most people did!), remember Betty was very much into bird-watching. A great man has fallen and we in FOC have lost a truly great member. I feel beyond saddened. Stay strong and please let me know when Betty is fully recovered so that I may pass my condolences to her.

G0BQV: What sad sad news! He was my friend.

JA1GZV: I am very sad to hear Bill's obituary. In the 70's I've known him since he was K4GSU. He was a very passionate CW operator. He was fine after he retired from work, but it's a shame that he suddenly lost him. May you rest in peace Bill. 73 Moto Motoaki Uotome

G3YXX: Truly very sad news. He and Betty were the first to greet Liz and me when attending our first FOC event, I think in 1996. RIP OC. Certainly best wishes to Betty for her recovery.

GW3YDX: This is absolutely awful news. I visited Bill way back in the late 90's and stayed at his QTH/antenna farm for a couple of days. I have wonderful memories of that visit, which has stayed with me for a long time. Bill also came and visited me once and I will always remember his massive compliment about the guys on my big tower. He said that the adjustment chains were like those on a ships anchor. Those words have stayed with me ever since. I had intended to do a grand tour of the USA before too long, and Bill and Betty were for sure on the "must visit" list. I have been knocked sideways by this news, and the manner of his parting. The world has lost a wonderful radio amateur, a First-Class Operator in every way, and such a nice guy.

G3BA: I’m so sorry to hear of this tragedy. Sincerest condolences to everyone else affected by the accident and I do hope that Betty pulls through.

F3OA: Vy sad news indeed.... I had so many QSOs wid Bill !

ZS1C: So tragic and sad. Condolences to all, we have lost a friend.

W8ZR: Oh no, how sad. Bill was an outstanding ham and a fine CW operator. He will be greatly missed by our community.

N4LG: This is so sad. I just spoke with Bill briefly the day of our November lunch with the CW_DX_OPS group. One of his horses escaped the paddock and he had to chase it down. He couldn’t make lunch and we all missed his company. I ran into Betty in a store some years ago, and she remarked “I never could imagine what Bill would do if he left ham radio, now I do – horses.” It's going to take a long time for me to get over his passing. RIP

WK2G: WHY DOES STUFF LIKE THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN AROUND THE HOLIDAYS? SO SORRY TO HEAR AWFUL NEWS.

KW7Q: Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of our dear friend Bill.

N4UB: I am sorry to hear that we have lost a good friend. It might help to know that the Lord is holding him in his loving arms. Pray that his wife will be ok and the family will weather this time of sorrow well. GOD bless!

N8DE: Deep shock to hear this. Bill was one of the best "good guys". Will truly be missed by all who knew him. RIP, Dr. Bill

W5ZO: I worked Bill just the other day.. Quality man and member.

WC4D: I have to say I am truly heartbroken. He was just so full of life and he will be missed by many that's for sure. If you hear of his arrangements, please let us know. I want to wish my final 73's to this great man.

W9WR: Thank you very much for advising of this sad news. Bill was a great OM, and his legacy will live on! it does feel to be appropriately fitting that his passing is during the week of Thanksgiving. I am thankful for having known Bill.

K5RC: WOW! Another of the great ones gone from our circle of friends. I had visited Bill several times and he became one of my antenna mentors. RIP OM.

W9KNI: I was deeply shocked to hear the news about Bill. He was a wonderful man and in many ways an inspiration to my operating. I had the pleasure of meeting him many times, at Dayton and at FOC dinners. That was always one of the highlights of my trip. I particularly want to extend my personal condolences to all for this huge loss. We are all diminished by his loss..

G4BUO: This is awful news, I was upset I can only imagine how we all feel. Together with G6BQ and G3FXB, Bill was a huge influence on me as a ham. Still to this day when I'm doing antenna work, I think of him and all the towers he put up, practically single handed, while holding down a demanding medical job. His energy and enthusiasm were so infectious. I'm so glad I managed to see him in 2019, making the 170-mile round trip to spend an evening with him and Colin G3VTT. Bill told me that only five people had been to the top of his 200ft towers and three of them were Brits! Colin, Chris G4BUE and myself. I'll never forget that climb, and the great view once you got above the tree-line. RIP Bill

K4QS: Sad news. I only ever worked Bill during contests but did have the privilege of meeting him in person at the last Dayton Hamvention. I was one of the newest FOC members at the time and Bill was warm and welcoming. The great loss Bill's passing presents to those who knew him well is understood. My thoughts and prayers go out to all.

W8ZO: Phil G4UDU called early this morning with the news about Bill… it is beyond words. I am so sorry for our loss – we certainly shared a special bond with Bill that makes this even more profound. GBU abundantly!

K8MR: Another sad loss for the amateur contest community. While Bill had not been active for some years, back in the 70s and 80s he had a big-time station outside Lexington, KY, with great contest scores. In the 60s while in medical school he was part of a very active club at Johns Hopkins, which included our good friend Val, W8KIC (SK) and a number of other still active folks, who I don't remember exactly by call.

K8ND: I just saw a note on Facebook that Bill Maxson N4AR was killed in a traffic accident in southern Ohio yesterday morning. There was a time in the 1970s, when we adjusted the 175-mile Mad River club circle to make sure that Bill’s QTH

N3RS: This is a shocker! I’ve known Bill for many years, primarily as a fellow contester and then a fellow FOC member. He visited us and we had a fine dinner together back when I was W3WJD and he was K4GSU. Bill and I were the same age, but he was much more resourceful than I, putting up all those big antennas by himself! Back then, he didn’t get any support except from his wife helping a bit on the ground. He was a great CW op and I will miss him greatly. I wish a speedy recovery to his wife and will pray for him tonight as he is now with the Lord. RIP, Bill. … _._

KT5X: OMG WHAT TRAGIC NEWS tears in my eyes thinking about Bill, his wife and family. Very very sri.

SV1AOW: Great pity...So many nice QSOs with Bill over the years. I'll miss him. Rip my friend.

IK0IXI: Very sad news. We've lost another friend and in tragic circumstances. May you rest in peace Bill. I pray for Betty.

WX3M: Although I did not know Bill, the notes I’ve read here tell me his legacy will live on. My condolences to his family and to all of Bill’s many ham radio friends who loved him.

N4DIT: Terrible news. I am truly saddened! Bill was a very valuable human being in his profession as a heart doctor; as you write Bill, he was a very valuable Ham and was known worldwide for his expert operating skills; he was a very valuable friend due to his kindness and willingness to teach and give assistance when/where needed. He will truly be missed. RIP Bill Maxson N4AR!

W4PM: I must admit I did not know Bill at all. My only contacts with him over the years were in contests or FOC operating events. To have not known such a well-liked and respected member is indeed my loss. Even so I am always saddened by the passing of one of our members and I pray that his wife will be able to recover from her injuries. What a tragedy this was for Bill and Betty's family and friends.

K8RF: Bill was an amazing operator. He had what must of been the largest antenna farm anywhere at one time. Too many towers to count. Found memories of picnics hosted by Bill on Sunday of Dayton Hamventions weekends. Always a gracious host. You will be missed 73 Dan

K5GO/ZF9CW: So sorry to hear this news. Bill was a very kind and humble person. I visited him at his house in about 1980 and still think about that visit on a regular basis. Stan

JA5DQH: Bill was a special friend to me. In the 1970s, when he was still a K4GSU, we did QSO on 80m CW almost every day in winter. After that, we were able to QSO many times even on 160m. In 1981, I traveled by car around United States to visit my low bands friends. I visited my friends who were active on 160m. They were hospitable to a young man from the Far East. They are Stew W1BB, Earl K6SE and many other friends. Of course, I also visited Bill N4AR and received warm hospitality from him and Betty. I remember Scott was still a really small child then. After visiting them, I visited John W5SUS and I met one of my best friends Stan K5GO/ZF9CW. Kevin was still a toddler, but now he's a great world-class contester as N5DX. I married Rie in 1992 and chose the U.S. and Canada as our honeymoon destinations. I made a journey across my 160m friends again with her. We were accommodated at many friends' houses. Jeff K1ZM, Jack VE1ZZ etc. Of course, I didn't forget to introduce Rie to Bill N4AR and Betty. It had been 11 years since I had seen them, but I was warmly welcomed again. I'm really sad Bill's gone. I'm so sorry. You will be missed. RIP to Bill. 73 and 161. Aki

ND4Y: Bill N4ARs tragic passing still has not sunk in from the 2am text I received from N4TY. I have known Bill beginning in the eighties and his influence on my antenna knowledge is the my foundation even thru today. From my visits to his station in the early days, thru the many Field Day operations at his location in the nineties, and the many times I would just pick up the phone to ask about an antenna design, take off angles, phasing and so on. As of now, my antenna farm is based on his knowledge and comments from my 4 squares, monobanders and receive antennas. Bill was a founding member of the Kentucky Contest Group and served as an Officer in various positions thru the years. He served as a contest mentor to many of the KCG members thru the years with the many questions he was asked. I had the privilege in the last 7 years of experiencing Dayton with him as N4AR, N4TY, G4UDU and myself were the core group where we got our hotel reservations together, meet for breakfast, travel together each day back and forth to the Hamfest, each evening event from Bullwinkles in Miamsburg, trips to Mendelsshon's and Air Force Base Museum and finish up Saturday night at the Chinese restaurant in Huber Heights and their ice cream machine to plan for the next year Hamvention . I currently hold his reservation for Dayton/Xenia for 2022 and dread when I have to cancel it. RIP Bill and thanks for being such a good friend.

K1JD: A brief snippet: In the early 80’s, Bill & XYL were staying on Nevis in the Caribbean. I believe they were regular visitors on the island during the winter. Betsy and I arrived a few days later but unfortunately they had already departed. We were both Ten-Tec fans at the time and would often compare notes on the air. RIP OM.

K4ISV/VP5B: So sorry to hear about the accident. Bill was a good friend. When he heard I had had a heart attack over 25 years ago and told me he would be happy to check me out and make sure I was getting good care. Have not seen him in several years but certainly will miss him!
G4HZV: This is really tragic news. Bill was a long-time radio friend, I'd stayed at his QTH in Kentucky several times and my family had a wonderful holiday with Bill & Betty at their cabin in Upper Michigan. I last saw Bill at the FOC dinner in Guildford 2 years ago and he was on his usual fine form. We send our condolences to Betty and Scott, and wish Betty a good recovery from this terrible accident. R.I.P. Bill

G3RXP: This is terrible news. I first met Bill at Lords and in 2000 he invited me and Linda over to his QTH where we met Betty and saw his vast antenna farm. One of my most memorable visits to KY, where he annually held host to a houseful of FOC members and friends. I will never forget his generous and kind offer and his visits with Betty to historic places around the area were a real pleasure. We hope Betty has a quick and good recovery from this accident. R.I.P Bill

G4RMV: So sorry to hear of Bill's accident, I worked Bill on many occasions prior to 2019 but not heard him recently. I just recorded Bill's Subscription payment a week ago, very sad news indeed. RIP Bill and Condolences to Bill's Family.

K4FN: I wish someone could find the photo of K4GSU’s full size 40M beam on top of his apartment in Baltimore when he was in school! Bill was a mentor and friend to all of us over the years. His Open House after Dayton each year drew hams from all over the world. I have a story about Bill. My brother K4BJD and nephew N1NJP were in the middle of Bill’s impressive antenna farm. Bill asked my nephew where they lived. “Connecticut”. Bill replied “If I lived there I could replace all of this with a tri-bander”.

KM4FO: It has been years since I saw Bill, but I remember him from the meetings in the stands at HARA arena. I hope his wife recovers well and prayers go out to his family.

KE4KY: As a late-comer to KCG, I only had the opportunity to meet Bill on one occasion. For those that were friends and associates, especially from his multi-op days, he will be truly missed.

N4QS: I never knew Bill, but I remember working him once on 40M CW from Australia in 1996. His signal was 40db over S9! Big sig! It was right at his sunrise. Prayers to his wife and family in Kentucky was included.

N4WJ: Betty and I are devastated. Bill was a wonderful and caring man, and so generous with his time and talents. I first knew of Bill when visiting his dad’s (K4GEZ) shack in the late 50s. I didn’t meet him at that time for he was away at school. Many QSOs followed while he was at JohnsHopkins in the 60s as K4GSU/3. Bill was a fantastic DXer and contester, and his dad ‘encouraged’ him to send CW with his right hand, for Bill was a southpaw!!! He surely was a dual threat. I had been around a Maxson during my childhood, since Bill’s uncle was my pediatrician. In fact, Bill is named after this uncle. In the late 60s, Bill had just returned to Lexington to practice when I ran into him at a local hamfest. He was my doctor, friend, and mentor from that day. Bill is responsible for my tower and antennae installation, as well as mentoring me on DX and so much more. He was one of my FOC sponsors. Bill was, in many ways, bigger than life. And he and his family will always be in our prayers, thought, and memories. RIP, Bill. God bless.

WA4LAV: I am so very sorry to hear about Bill and Betty. It has been a while since I had visited them. The last time I visitedI don't think Betty recognized me; she had been ill for some time. Bill was my parents' and my doctor after we moved here from Nashville. We would all go together for our regularly scheduled appointments. He was a very caring and dedicated doctor, when my mother passed, he stayed right there with us and only left the room for the occasional emergency phone call. You just will not find any like him these days. I shall never forget him.

K3ZO: Terrible news! Bill and I began our ham careers at the same time in the same room at the FCC offices in downtown Chicago during Christmas vacation 1951 where we both took and passed our Novice exams. He got WN9TGY and I got WN9SZR. Since the Novice license had only recently been created in those days, FCC offices tended to look like middle and high school gatherings during school vacations as kids with interest in scientific subjects flocked to these offices to join the ranks of Amateur Radio operators. Later Bill and I crossed paths when I worked in Washington for USIA and joined PVRC, and Bill pursued medical studies at nearby Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. For several years the signals from his two 80-meter phased bobtail arrays in Kentucky, focused on Europe, crushed our receivers as they went by. Another big loss for the worldwide ham radio fraternity. 73 in sadness,

UA9BA: Awful, very very sad information. I was privileged to visit Bill’s home in KY in 1993. Where I also met Al G3FXB, Peter K4EWG, Frank W3LPL and Peter ZL3GQ. That visit highlighted my amateur radio way for many years. Bill and I started our regular fast speed CW chats back in the late 70s. I’ve learnt from Bill’s keen CW language lots of abbreviations that I’ve been using ever since. Bill was such a fantastic character. He’s been so much involved into contesting and constant improvement of his station. Especially antennas. He set a good example or better say standard of what a vivid contester should be. Yet he was so much after his family. I last had a chat with Bill just a few months ago. What a loss. Bill i will be missing you, my friend. May God forgive you and take good care of you. Rest in peace.

JA1NUT: What a sad news! I have just talked about him with our mutual friend, Lee, W8WA on 20m a couple of days ago. Lee told me Bill would come to his home along Lake Michigan by next Jan. I hoped to hear him from there. It was in '60s when I started working him as K4GSU. Mostly in contests. I still remember his signing as K4GSU/8 in AA contest. In '80s, we have become close friends. He was one of the 9 sponsors when I joined the club in 1988. Around that time, we have met quite often on 40m in our early evening and in his early morning. After such a QSO, he always went to the hospital for the rounds in inpatient wards. In the end of QSO, I always wished him uneventful round there since I knew there could be a lot of troubles among the patients especially in fall/winter. He always loved caring for the patients as well as hamming. But when he turned to be 70 years of age, he sometimes complained it had become tough for him to do with the inpatients late at night. If I remember it right, he has retired in 2016. I was pleased to know he had finally become free from his heavy duties as a cardiologist. I believe he has had a lot of projects in ham radio from now on. Too sad he has passed possibly without accomplishing some of them. I still miss listening to his booming signal on 40m early in evening here. RIP, Bill.

W8WA:.I could write a chapter in a book about my friendship with Bill and Betty. Like Shin (JA1NUT), said – we just had a QSO only a few days before Bill’s accident in Ohio and discussed Bill coming to Michigan for his annual snowmobile riding trip at his home on Lost Lake Road in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I was expecting a call at anytime from Bill to set up a meeting for breakfast in Petoskey and hanging out there with him, wife Betty, and friend Kay for a good portion of the day. We did that twice a year when he was up in the winter and again in the summer. Bill and I started our friendship when he was K4GSU/3 and in med school. At the time, I was W8ROF living in Royal Oak, MI. I had a TH6DX at 85 feet and a Mosley S-402 2 element 40m beam at 90 feet. We were friendly competitors and would see each other every year at Dayton sharing ideas about antennas.When Bill bought a home in KY, at first he had a Bobtail up for 80m and then phased Bobtails. I had a pair of phased verticals up in Royal Oak with an extensive ground system. Again we were friendly competitors and Bill said that I was the only one in the mid-west that could give him a run for his money. In 1976, I moved to northern Michigan near Traverse City at first living in a rented home with only a few verticals in the woods.... a ham radio down time for me until I bought 6 acres in 1980 and built a new home. By then, Bill owned a vacation home in Bay View at Petoskey, MI. I started putting up towers and like someone mentioned, Bill was first to give a helping hand at an antenna raising party. Bill had stealth wire antennas in the trees at Bay View.During this time, he told me, “Lee, have an antenna project ready for me each year… there is only so much porch sitting I can do at Bay View”! Betty, being a birder, would lead group walks throughout Bay View. We shared many dinners at our home and theirs, and Bill grew my antenna farm during those years at my home near Torch Lake. (see: www.w8wa.net ) The biggest project was putting up a 140 foot AM broadcast tower with a lot of stacked monoband beams. We erected that tower with Bill’s Rohn 65 ginpole.There were many dinners on Thursday evenings at Dayton with the Michigan contingent (me, Gary [K8FX] and others) getting together with the KY contingent headed up by Tyler (N4TY) and Dave (ND4Y), most notably at Bullwinkles in Miamisburg, OH. A big contingent of Brits headed up by Phil (G4UDU) and wife Sandy met us there as well. Later in our trips to Dayton a bunch of us started staying at the Hope Hotel at Wright-Patterson, but we continued our Thursday night dinners at Bullwinkles. Lots of great memories! I will miss my wonderful friend. RIP Bill.

K8MFO: I am STUNNED by this news, as I knew Bill for a very long time. One thing I will always remember was when I was on a mountain top in Hong Kong in April 1969. Heard a CQ from K4GSU/3 and called. Bill came right back. I asked him if he could phone some of my friends to get them on the air, and of course he did just that. After Hamvention 2019 Bill said spending the time out in the flea market was the best time he ever had at Dayton/Xenia. I was looking forward to seeing him again in 2022. My condolences to all his family and friends. I have plenty more memories of Bill, some relating to him being a QUASI YOOPER, due to his cottage being at Paradise, MI. You do not replace class acts like N4AR, ever!One of my favorite memories of Bill is from April 1969. I was operating as VS6AJ on Mount Davis, perhaps the highest point in Hong Kong --- we had to look down through the clouds to see the settled areas! Anyway, I heard a CQ from K4GSU/3 and answered it. Bill came back immediately and quickly alerted other friends that I was on the air. I didn't meet Bill until some years later after the Hong Kong QSO. This was at Dayton, when he saw me, he said, "I surely heard a lot of you on 160 meters this past season." My response: "Well, Bill, I didn't hear nearly as much from you, because the DX always came back to you first!" At the time I believe Bill was using a bobtail antenna on Top Band. At the last Hamvention in 2019, Bill joined our flea market crew. As we were closing down on Saturday, he told me that he had been coming to Dayton/Xenia for over 60 years, but 2019 was the best time he ever had. He didn't have to go chasing hither and yon to find people he knew. That's because we are so established that virtually everyone we know (or care to know) comes to visit us. Not many years ago, I read a number of crime fiction books centered around Paradise, Michigan, where Bill had his cottage. We chatted a bit about that, and he told me how realistic the author had been about the area. Of course I was invited to stop by Paradise any time that I was going to be in the Upper Peninsula to visit family/friends. None of my trips coincided with times that he was in Paradise, so I never got to see the place for a visit.

W9VNE: Some years ago N4AR decided to operate Field Day from home using emergency power. I was privileged to be asked to join the small group to operate N4AR/4. For a while I did 40M. Pointing one 40M beam East and the second one West. One was at 80 feet and I pointed that East. The other was about 140 feet pointed West. It was fun changing beams during the exchange. I was told to swap positions and give 80 meters a try. Rather frustrating using an 80-meter 4 SQUARE antenna in a Domestic Contest. Outside Bill’s shack was a huge US Military trailer with a 24 KW generator grinding away. What a hoot to be part of that fun. To see Bill’s antennas we’re one thing; to use them was something else. In about 1972 I made my first of many trips to N4AR. My “Elmer” W9VW was with me on one trip. He said the only way to properly depict N4AR’s antenna farm was with a photo showing all the coax and cables going through the wall of his shack. It was a few feet in diameter. At that time Bill had 10 towers erected. None was under 80 feet. He had a Ten Meter beam on a 200 feet tower. The boom was in excess of 50 feet! It was several hundred feet from his shack. I live 90 miles north of N4AR. He sounded like he was just down the street. I tried it out. Bill did all his own tower and antenna work. He told me: “that us why Doctors take off Wednesday afternoons off”. He had come a long way since our 1st QSO in 1952 as WN9TGY and I was WN9VNE.

K3LR: As our day has been – mine is filled with tears for N4AR. I cannot believe Bill is gone. Bill's influence on me was huge. The Wednesday night 80 SSB skeds we had, and several trips to visit Bill and Hank (K4FU) in KY in the 80s. Bill taught me about long path and the value of being on the air every day (CW of course). The N4AR CW keys had a small area where he dragged his pinky finger - where it was worn down. He made a pot of shack coffee in the AM and you continued to drink that same cold pot during afternoon long path. The over the back of the PL-259 body shield soldering method - all N4AR teaching me. His love of FOC was inspiring. I'll never forget his H frame on 20 meters and when he gave me the plans to build a 7 element 10-meter beam in 1978 - it was gold. The last time I saw him (after about 20 years absence) was in Dayton 2019 - he was coming out of the FOC breakfast at the Crowne and he noticed I was having breakfast (I was not FOC then) - I was shocked to see him. I gave him a big hug and thanked him for everything he did for me. Not knowing this would be the last time I would see N4AR. Bill worked a JA on 6-meter CW sometime in the early 90s. He gave me the Drake gear that he used so that I could work a JA on 6 too. It did not work out for me and I gladly returned the gear to Bill. N4AR had a generous heart and a brilliant mind. Always modest. RIP N4AR

K3TW: Yes, this is a profound loss for all of us. I want to second the comments about Bill's superior knowledge of radio propagation. When I was posted to our U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India from 1986-88, prior to leaving for Tanzania (5H3TW), I finally obtained my VU2TJW ham radio license. It was near the bottom of the sunspot cycle. I lived on the top floor of a duplex apartment and was initially limited to a rooftop Hy-Gain trap vertical antenna. New Delhi local time is 10.5 hours ahead of local time in Kentucky. One morning at about 2:30 AM Indian time, I just happened to get out of bed to listen on 20m CW, a dead band at that time of day. I called a CQ, and N4AR answers me! I couldn't believe my ears until Bill told me it was reliable path on 20m from Kentucky to India, over Europe, at 4:00 PM his local time. Of course, Bill's tall tower and huge yagi antenna made the QSO possible. That is probably just one example of Bill's mastery of radio propagation. I remember meeting Bill for the first time in 1974 at the National Capitol DX Association DXPO in Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC. He attended many FOC social functions, and his sidekick, Hank Zimmerman, K4FU (SK), FOC #1057, also from Kentucky, was always with him. They were an inseparable pair of great radio amateurs. It's ironic that Bill died in an automobile accident. Many of you remember that Bill did his own tall tower and antenna work (with assistance from his XYL Betty) by using his Volkswagen Beetle car to pull ropes holding large yagi antennas to the top of his towers. He was always safe and without any accidents. I can still hear Bill's CW on 40m working lots of DX when he was living in Maryland. It sounded like this: K4 (then pause for about 3 seconds) G S U / 3. I believe he was practicing medicine at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD at the time. He worked Vlad, UL7GA (now RV3OD) many times over the Long Path. I also remember Bill's 80m Bobtail Curtain Antenna (three phased wire verticals) that would break the east coast USA pile-ups into Europe from his Kentucky QTH. Please be safe when driving. Sometimes these accidents are unavoidable and always tragic. Many of us have been involved in traffic accidents and have survived. I believe we are in the hands of The Lord who determines our final outcome. Rest in Peace Bill, and here's to a speedy recovery for Betty. Everyone stay well and see you on the CW Bands.

Contributed by : Bill Cotter (N4LG)

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Friend's CallsignN4AR
Friend's NameBill Maxson
Date Deceased2021-11-23
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