Charles Ring W3NU, SK

It is with great sadness I report the passing of one of the first Amateur radio operators I knew, Charles Ring W3NU, an operator who I had known for nearly 20 years, long before I had got into the hobby.

Though Charles was not my inspiration to get into the hobby, he was an operator I wanted to actually make contact with on air, as I only ever chatted to him over the Internet, he didn't think it would be possible for me in the early days when I had my foundation license as I suspect he was unaware that UK foundation licence holders were permitted to use HF where CW operation takes place, as he was a CW operator more than anything else.

In his memory and honour I plan to learn morse code and operate CW, as I feel that, as a licensed Amateur, the old ways shouldn't die out with the older generation, and also push to get my full licence, and also pass what I know to the younger generation once I have a full licence and help them to get on the air, I can of course still do this now but I cannot supervise those that would be under training, as I want to do this in Charles' memory as out of all the Amateurs I know it is he who I had the most respect for.

My thoughts are with Charles' family and friends at this very difficult time.

RIP Charles, you'll be very sadly missed.

73 de 2E0EIJ