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[CQ-Contest] ET3SID (SK)

To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] ET3SID (SK)
From: Ken Claerbout <k4zw@verizon.net>
Reply-to: k4zw@verizon.net
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2012 07:40:45 -0500 (CDT)
List-post: <cq-contest@contesting.com">mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
As you may have heard, Sid May, ET3SID, passed away on Tuesday.  

I had the good fortune of meeting Sid and the students at ET3AA this past July 
while I was in Addis Ababa.  We had been in touch the past two years since I 
have been through Addis a number of times and, I had been following the work 
K3LP and others at the club station.  What Sid was doing for Amateur Radio in 
Ethiopia and the students at ET3AA was nothing short of amazing.  That visit 
was the most inspirational thing I've witnessed in years with regard to the 
hobby.  

In one instance Sid told me "sit down and operate."  I got on 15 SSB and things 
were a little slow.  The kids were telling me they had not worked anyone in 
awhile and were paying more attention to their computers than the radio.  The 
band started to open and pretty soon I had a pile-up on my hands.   I looked 
over my shoulder and a couple of them had come over to see what was going on.  
At that point I told them "it's yours...you take over."  They did and it was 
clear they had been well coached as they handled the pile-up as if it was 
second nature.  Frankly I was surprised how well they did and with no 
hesitation.  Later it hit me, they walked away from the Internet to play radio!

I knew Sid's health was failing.  Last week I received an e-mail and he said he 
was slowing down.  I wasn't sure if it was just a general comment or he was 
saying something more.  Tuesday morning I received an e-mail from one of the 
students that he had passed.  Very sad news.  It's a big loss for the students 
and Amateur Radio in Ethiopia.  Hopefully his legacy can be continued but there 
are some significant challenges to overcome.  RIP OM.  You did well!


Ken K4ZW
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