Dwayne mcniel k7syo/SK
What a pleasure it was to chat with Dwayne McNeil K7SYO recently! Dwayne is a longtime member of CCARC who supported the club’s many projects over the years and was instrumental in building the shed that houses the Belmont repeater. He owned a construction business in Helena for a long time and built the shed in his shop.
An accident that left him with a broken leg and arm led to his discovery of radio. He picked up a shortwave receiver in a pawn shop thinking to pass the time while he recuperated and quickly became intrigued with what he heard. He realized, too, that he wanted to help his brother-in-law develop an interest in radio. To learn more, he started going to CCARC meetings, where he met Dick Beaton N7RB/SK, John Geach KS7R, and Bill Erhardt K7MT. At their urging he began studying and taking the training sessions offered by the club, soon earning both the Technician and General tickets. Among his fondest memories are the many club projects in which he participated. He helped monitor the dogsled races several years, even taking the night shift in a special event station set up in the top floor of a Helena hotel. Then there were the tower raisings, the meetings, and the coffees. But best of all was the camaraderie among the club members. Dwayne says to tell everyone he greatly appreciates the good will and friendship of the Helena hams. December 2021 Dwayne died March 2025 |
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