Vk9ns -- Sk

[barefootdipole]

Jim Smith, VK9NS of Norfolk Island passed away 10 feb 09 after a brief illness.....

this is a huge loss to the amateur community, especially DX'ers.....Jim was a giant among DX'ers, personally responsible for bringing many new countries on the air for the first time with his dxpeditions......and his IOTA work was legendary, especially with the Heard Island DX Group.....and he always kept Norfolk Island active himself....


i last talked to Jim during the Ducie operation....he was looking for them on 12m and he heard my voice and he called me and warmly greeted me....I passed on the Ducie info to him...and off we went on our seperate ways chasing DX.....i was honored that he recognized me in the crowd....it never ocurred to me that i'd never hear his call or voice again on the bands....

VK9NS SK


Barefootdipole

[commscanaus]

Thanks Barefootdipole,

Jim and his wife Kirstie used to write for one of our local publications (Amateur Radio Action) quite some years ago- and it was always an interesting read.
It was Jim's famed 222 net on 14.222Mhz that provided many stations with rare and sought after contacts, especially when chasing DXCC or other coveted awards.
I spent many weekends listening in as a SWL and managed to log some nice catches, still have the log entries if I dig deep enough!

A friend of mine was lucky enough to purchase an ex VK9NS owned IC-765 radio some time ago, and boy was I jealous of that radio! My friend claimed that because it was Jim's radio- it would hear/talk further than any other IC-765!!

It is a real shame, another great loss to the Ham community worldwide as we have lost another great contributor and friend that helped many over a long time.

Sympathy goes out to Kirstie VK9NL and family.

Regards, Commscanaus.