Tribute to Kenneth C. Kontor

Tribute to Kenneth C. Kontor - WA8IAU, W8KEN
1945 - 2025

I am very sorry to hear about Ken. Ken was from Chesterland, Ohio and was a member of our North Coast Contesters contest group, a DXer, and worked 2 meters EME. I would hear him in the DX pileups often. Ken was a great guy and a friend to all. He will be missed. RIP my friend. K8CX

The following taken from Ken's QRZ.com page.

First licensed as WN8IAU in June 1963, I upgraded to Technician Class as WA8IAU in September 1963.

After spending many years on 6m, 2m, and 70cm, I upgraded to Advanced in 1979 to work 10m DX.

In September 1997, I applied for and received W8KEN as my current Vanity Callsign, upgrading again in May 2000 to Amateur Extra Class.

After 40 years as a Mechanical Engineer involved in Product Design and Development of Medical X-Ray, Recording Instrumentation, and ATM Products, I am now retired and enjoy Contesting and chasing DX.

Achievements:

Top of DXCC Honor Roll - March 2016.

DXCC Challenge Level 2500.

11 Band WAS - 5 Band WAS with 2m, 6m, 12m, 17m, 30m, and 160m Endorsements.

10 Band DXCC - 5B DXCC with 6m, 12m, 17m, 30m, and 160m Endorsements.

5 Band WAZ - 198 Zones CFM

2m and 6m WAC

Work in progress:

2m DXCC (23 to go)

You'll most likely hear me in the DX pile-ups on SSB, CW, or RTTY as well as in several ARRL DX and CQWW contests. I am a current member of NCC, NODXA, and NCDXF.

My most recent activity has been on 2m EME (JT65B) and WSJT's new FT8 and FT4 Modes.

I QSL 100% - LoTW Preferred or Direct with SASE.

For EME QSO's ONLY- SAE requested (no $$ required).

Bureau cards are discuraged as turn around time is many years.

My EME station consists of:

Receive: LinkRF IQ+ ~> LinkRF UADC4 ~> MAP65 ~> Windows 7 PC.

Transmit: K3 ~> KUHNE TR 144 - PRO Xvtr ~> BEKO HLV-2000 --- 1 kW Output

Antennas: Innov 2x 24EL (12H / 12V) XPOL LFA's with AZ/EL at 11 feet.