Those who have listened to the Sunday Night Swap Shop on 75 will all have known Ron VE3ORP who co-hosted the swap-shop Sunday nights on 3755. Ron became a Silent Key earlier this month and this remembrance of Ron is worthy of this re-print. Ron, VE3ORP, touched the lives of many, many people with his kindness and his extensive involvement and enthusiasm for amateur radio. Whether through his involvement in swap nets, or the many clubs of which he was a member, as an instructor or examiner, or as a friend... he was a true ambassador of our hobby, amateur radio. He was always ready and willing to lend his assistance to anyone who needed it; he was a man who gave a great deal to ham radio - and to say he will be sorely missed is an under-statement. Ron's voice was well known as one of the net controllers for the Sunday Night Swap Net on the 80M band and also for his frequent check-ins to several 2M nets each week. His call sign could be seen on many packet BBS user lists each day as he scanned all the boards for flea market and swap information. He compiled flea market dates and details for events across Canada and the northern United States and published them as a series of packet bulletins entitled "Hamfests For Canadians" so that others could be kept informed. Ron's passion was for the technical side of ham radio with a particular love for RF power-tubes and linear amplifiers; he was an authority on these things and he was able to recall tube specifications along with their operating conditions and amplifier circuit designs at will. His most valued possession was his Hunter Bandit linear amp running four 572B's. This was his tube of choice. Nothing impressed Ron more than a well-engineered circuit and he always enjoyed troubleshooting and repairing equipment. Ron had a tremendous wealth of technical knowledge and information; he was always learning more and he kept himself up-to-date on current technology. Attending FleaMarkets and HamFests was another of Ron's greatest enjoyments. He and I traveled many miles, often through the night, to attend every flea market that we possibly could - always with eager anticipation of the day's activities and what might be found! The trip was always filled with fascinating conversation and punctuated with great friendship and comradery between us. Ron gave back to the Ham community by being an instructor, teaching Basic & Advanced theory as well as Morse Code classes; he encouraged prospective Hams to get their Amateur Radio operator's license and to enjoy the hobby. As a licensed examiner for both amateur and marine radio for many years, many found their way to being on the air through his efforts and endeavors. As I reflect on someone for whom I have the utmost respect and admiration, it is with great sadness that I say a final "73" to a remarkable man, a mentor, and the truest of friends. I know that I and many others can not express how much he will be missed……. Len VE3VSR
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