Saturday, March 9, 2024
While Ed was first and foremost an educator and husband to the love of his life, Pat Hayes, he was also a major figure on the local amateur radio (aka ham radio) scene in this area.
He put the first VHF FM repeater on the air in Windsor and later multiple VHF, UHF and state of the art analog and digital systems that have over the last half century been enjoyed and used by the area radio community. Much of his knowledge was gained in his younger days while working at Crescent TV when they were a relatively small shop just off of Parent Avenue. Ed’s first repeater system (VE3III) was the first in what became the nation-wide CANWARN network of severe weather spotters. On a personal level, Ed assisted and supported myself with my own repeater efforts and it was great to have Ed make the trek out to the Christmas Lunch in recent years of the Sun Parlour Amateur Radio Club in Leamington. He was deeply involved with our on-the-air gatherings and ‘nets’ (the Essex County VHF Society Sunday Night Net), the ARRL Field Day operation at the end of June each year and the building and running of several amateur radio clubs in Windsor (VE3OW) (WARC, ECVHFS, SPRARC) over his sixty or more years as a federally licensed ham radio operator. Ed’s initial call sign as issued by the old Department of Communications) was VE3FWV and he operate in later years with the coveted 2 letter call sign of VA3VA. Ed worked the world from his home in Riverside yet he was as down to earth as you could be more than willing to be there for support, guidance and of course, education. For decades, Ed truly was the King of Radio in south-west Ontario.
On a personal note, when I first was involved with this incredible hobby of ours, Ed was one of the first voice contacts that I made. He and his wife Pat welcomed me to their home and encouraged me in my own ham radio efforts.
My condolences to Ed’s extended family. We have lost a great one who honoured us all.
Thank you Ed, and Pat who passed away this past Christmas Day, you both had quite an impact on myself and the world of amateur radio in this area. 73 de Bill Leal VE3ES.
