N8DKW and KB8BKA Raising a 13b2 Quad Antenna to a tower.

I first met Dave (N8DKW) while off work from an injury and talking on 146.52. He was and IS quite the character. He is boundless in his love for amateur radio. Dave has a great ham shack with a wide variety of radios and antennas. When I first visited Dave, who was a spry 83 years old, he proceeded to climb his antenna tower to put up some antennas. This is a person who should probably not be climbing tall antenna towers. If he didn't do it, who would?
Fast forward to the raising of the quad.
Dave's ham friend, Ralph KB8BKA, from Cardington Ohio, came up to give Dave a hand on this big undertaking. Many other hams and other people came to either help or just gawk. In the long run, the whole project was a success. Dave could run his beyond legal limit VHF amplifier through his new sleek quad 13b2 antenna configuration on a rotator. He could speak and listen to stations from very far away. We could all hear and speak to Ralph in Cardington semi-regularly, who had a similar setup.
During the summer of the antenna raising, Dave, in the midst of other ham radio projects injured himself after falling out of a tree. He didn't break any bones, but he was down for the count for a little while. He was strictly forbidden from climbing anymore antenna towers.
One unfortunate day, Dave was attempting to install a 10 meter vertical antenna to a pole closer to the ground. While trying to attach the antenna to the pole, the antenna came in contact with the high voltage lines in his back yard. This did some major damage to Dave, but did not kill him. He was hospitalized for awhile during this. Unfortunately Dave also lost his beautiful wife Sandy, who passed away while Dave was in the hospital. They were married for over 60 years. This was a big loss for Dave and the family.
Rest in Peace
Sandy Dawson
Sept 28, 2023
Rest in Peace
Lance Adair
W8OD (SK)
Who was present when the antenna was raised, but passed away months later.
Thanks to all the hams present
Ralph KB8BKA
Tony AA8OU
Smitty N8HMK
George W8DOZ
and other hams and family.
Video by me, Scott, W8XDX
73 to all

[@Ray-k9r]

We did a great job de KB8BKA