Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, SK
Last night I got the sad news that Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, one of the founders of Qualcomm and my boss for most of my 20 years there, has passed away.
In recent years he'd turned to philanthropy, giving $30M to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for a building named after him. The dedication was just two days ago, and he didn't show up.
He'd also donated $3M to the Allen Telescope Array for a new broadband antenna feed, but more importantly he had provided them with a lot of engineering management and guidance that will be impossible to replace.
AMSAT members probably know him best as the author of the Instant Track orbital tracking software that AMSAT sold for many years.
Phil
How very sad.
Jim
wb4gcs@amsat.org
On 5/13/2022 12:50, Phil Karn wrote:
Last night I got the sad news that Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, one of the founders of Qualcomm and my boss for most of my 20 years there, has passed away.
In recent years he'd turned to philanthropy, giving $30M to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for a building named after him. The dedication was just two days ago, and he didn't show up.
He'd also donated $3M to the Allen Telescope Array for a new broadband antenna feed, but more importantly he had provided them with a lot of engineering management and guidance that will be impossible to replace.
AMSAT members probably know him best as the author of the Instant Track orbital tracking software that AMSAT sold for many years.
Phil
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Thanks Phil for passing that along. I used IT for many years on my first PC's. Michelle Cross WB7AYU de: Michelle's I-pad.
On May 13, 2022, at 09:50, Phil Karn karn@ka9q.net wrote:
Last night I got the sad news that Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, one of the founders of Qualcomm and my boss for most of my 20 years there, has passed away.
In recent years he'd turned to philanthropy, giving $30M to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for a building named after him. The dedication was just two days ago, and he didn't show up.
He'd also donated $3M to the Allen Telescope Array for a new broadband antenna feed, but more importantly he had provided them with a lot of engineering management and guidance that will be impossible to replace.
AMSAT members probably know him best as the author of the Instant Track orbital tracking software that AMSAT sold for many years.
Phil
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/
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Sorry to hear these news, Phil.
I hear from the people at Allen Telescope Array that thanks to Franklin's generous donation many antennas could be refurbished and are now operational, with improved performance. The astronomers that interacted directly with him tell some good stories about how his perspective coming from a communications background was always helpful and interesting.
Best, Daniel EA4GPZ.
El 13/5/22 a las 18:50, Phil Karn escribió:
Last night I got the sad news that Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, one of the founders of Qualcomm and my boss for most of my 20 years there, has passed away.
In recent years he'd turned to philanthropy, giving $30M to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for a building named after him. The dedication was just two days ago, and he didn't show up.
He'd also donated $3M to the Allen Telescope Array for a new broadband antenna feed, but more importantly he had provided them with a lot of engineering management and guidance that will be impossible to replace.
AMSAT members probably know him best as the author of the Instant Track orbital tracking software that AMSAT sold for many years.
Phil
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/
View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org
Dani & Phil,
My one cent input.
My condolences to Franklin’s family and friends. I dealt with Qualcom in my working life but do not know him personally.
It is great and thanks to him for donating such amount of money to science and education.
73
Jean Marc (3B8DU)
On May 13, 2022, at 11:56 PM, Daniel Estévez daniel@destevez.net wrote:
Sorry to hear these news, Phil.
I hear from the people at Allen Telescope Array that thanks to Franklin's generous donation many antennas could be refurbished and are now operational, with improved performance. The astronomers that interacted directly with him tell some good stories about how his perspective coming from a communications background was always helpful and interesting.
Best, Daniel EA4GPZ.
El 13/5/22 a las 18:50, Phil Karn escribió:
Last night I got the sad news that Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, one of the founders of Qualcomm and my boss for most of my 20 years there, has passed away. In recent years he'd turned to philanthropy, giving $30M to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for a building named after him. The dedication was just two days ago, and he didn't show up. He'd also donated $3M to the Allen Telescope Array for a new broadband antenna feed, but more importantly he had provided them with a lot of engineering management and guidance that will be impossible to replace. AMSAT members probably know him best as the author of the Instant Track orbital tracking software that AMSAT sold for many years. Phil
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/
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I was at the AMSAT Symposium many years ago and saw Frank make his introductory demonstration of InstanTrack. Of course, everyone in the room was blown away. Many of us were still using cardboard OSCAR Locators at the time! He was an innovator and patient teacher. It was fun to meet him, and I used his program for many years. RIP -- Mark D. Johns, KØJM AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd ----------------------------------------------- "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." ---Mark Twain
On Fri, May 13, 2022 at 11:52 AM Phil Karn karn@ka9q.net wrote:
Last night I got the sad news that Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, one of the founders of Qualcomm and my boss for most of my 20 years there, has passed away.
In recent years he'd turned to philanthropy, giving $30M to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for a building named after him. The dedication was just two days ago, and he didn't show up.
He'd also donated $3M to the Allen Telescope Array for a new broadband antenna feed, but more importantly he had provided them with a lot of engineering management and guidance that will be impossible to replace.
AMSAT members probably know him best as the author of the Instant Track orbital tracking software that AMSAT sold for many years.
Phil
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/
View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org
Sad to know about Franklin N6NKF, indeed it's big lose to whole fraternity. Rest in peace.
Rajesh VU2EXP
On Fri 13 May, 2022, 10:22 PM Phil Karn, karn@ka9q.net wrote:
Last night I got the sad news that Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, one of the founders of Qualcomm and my boss for most of my 20 years there, has passed away.
In recent years he'd turned to philanthropy, giving $30M to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for a building named after him. The dedication was just two days ago, and he didn't show up.
He'd also donated $3M to the Allen Telescope Array for a new broadband antenna feed, but more importantly he had provided them with a lot of engineering management and guidance that will be impossible to replace.
AMSAT members probably know him best as the author of the Instant Track orbital tracking software that AMSAT sold for many years.
Phil
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/
View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org
Franklin and Mike Valentine donated money to AMSAT GEO P4B development that got us all the way to yes from the USAF and NASA. He was always after me to do more for SETI Institute and the Allen Telescope Array. He was instrumental in support of first four Microsats. When we got the flight computers, they arrived "some assembly required". He ordered the Qualcomm microelectronics lab to help fix the assembly issues with the first ever 8 layer boards flown to orbit. When we had things to discuss, we would ride around in his big white Cadillac convertible. The back seat was loaded with empty soda cans. He was infamous at Qualcomm for occasionally dumping many of the cans near his parking spot. The grounds crew was prepared and cleaned them up quickly.
Whenever I visited in the newer building that contained his office, he encouraged me to ride his Segway around the floor, where all the C suite offices were located.
I will miss this brilliant eccentric engineer. RIP Franklin.
Bob N4HY
On Fri, May 13, 2022, 11:52 AM Phil Karn karn@ka9q.net wrote:
Last night I got the sad news that Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, one of the founders of Qualcomm and my boss for most of my 20 years there, has passed away.
In recent years he'd turned to philanthropy, giving $30M to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for a building named after him. The dedication was just two days ago, and he didn't show up.
He'd also donated $3M to the Allen Telescope Array for a new broadband antenna feed, but more importantly he had provided them with a lot of engineering management and guidance that will be impossible to replace.
AMSAT members probably know him best as the author of the Instant Track orbital tracking software that AMSAT sold for many years.
Phil
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/
View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org
participants (8)
-
Daniel Estévez -
Jean Marc Momple -
Jim Sanford -
Mark Johns, K0JM -
Michelle C -
Phil Karn -
Rajesh Vagadia - VU2EXP -
Robert McGwier