Heard by the Palos Verde (CA) ARC club meeting this evening as a preface to my satellite presentation …

Amateur radio - along with “educators” and “ambassadors of good will” - took a double-hit in the last two weeks, as we lost Carl Gardenias to a ranch accident and Chip Margelli to cancer.

There are few others as dedicated to the hobby as Carl and Chip. Carl represented Southern California hams’ interests for decades while serving with the American Radio Relay League. Chip took on the planet as his personal shack - with his infectious wit and effective teaching mannerisms.

So this has been a sad last couple of weeks. But I am proud to say that they both sat through my satellite presentations - each more than once. They both told me they enjoyed it. THAT is a badge of honor I cherish - now more than ever.

When Carl would introduce me to a Newington ARRL rep at a conference, he would always tell them that I was the ARRL educator that injured an audience member by throwing a Yaesu FT-60R at them during a show.

Well, it was true.

To demonstrate how “bullet-proof” the Yaesu was constructed - and if I had indoor-outdoor carpeting on the stage - I’d roll a FT-60R across the stage. But this one time, Carl and his guests were sitting in the front row and, well, the bouncing FT-60R struck his guest in the shin.

OK - let’s get on with this. And let’s dedicate a little fun - AND education - to the memories of Carl and Chip!

Clint Bradford K6LCS