Fellow DXers and Friends of the SWL Winterfest:
We lost a good friend of the radio hobby this past week with the passing of Don
Ruokonen, K3PRN, on Saturday (12 Jan). Don resided with his wife Donna, in
Annapolis, Maryland. Don was a long-time ham radio enthusiast, achieved DXCC,
and became very proficient with PSK31 to raise his country counts.
On the shortwave front despite that traditional fondness for the vacuum tube
radios of youth that many of us retain, Don sought out those modern digital
technologies that enhance today’s hobby. He really enjoyed hunting down
stations on his Elad DSP spectrum display, ran a fully digital SWL/Ham station
and expertly sought out those few extra dB’s despite his urban RF surroundings.
I first met Don at the Winterfest several years ago after giving my talk on Ku
TVRO satellites. He drilled me afterwards to learn some more subtle points.
When I later moved to Maryland, he approached on continuing that TVRO project.
I quickly became good friends with Don and Donna. We did get that small dish
set up to receive Hispasat despite the many neighborhood trees. Don, in turn,
showed me the finer points of amateur radio such as different software programs
to run and how to successfully operate through limited antenna-space
restrictions.
Don had a refreshing, straight-forward, perspective about him. You quickly knew
where he stood on an issue whether it was technology or politics. He proved to
be a true “Elmer” (radio teacher) that we all seek out in the hobby. Don
Ruokonen will be truly missed as part of the Winterfest, the greater shortwave
listening hobby, and indeed as a friend.
The obituary with photo is here:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/capitalgazette/obituary.aspx?n=donald-ruokonen&pid=191272904
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/capitalgazette/obituary.aspx?n=donald-ruokonen&pid=191272904
Tracy Wood (K7UO)
Odenton, Maryland.
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