Reg @2e0ldf had messaged me a couple of weeks ago to say that Richard M8XGO wasn’t well.
I picked up an announcement on the 145 Alive website a couple of days ago I’ll repeat here:
I am sad to inform you that Richard McGowan M8XGO has fallen SK after a short illness. Richard was planning to run a Net. I’m afraid I have no other details. Richard was a keen VHF / UHF operator and supporter of 145 Alive. Lets all remember Richard tomorrow. Mark M0XIC
Richard Barker: Richard was one of the first hams to welcome me back to amateur radio after my 4 decades off, last October. He was a keen SOTA and WOTA operator and gave me much inspiration. He’ll be greatly missed!
Chris Naylor: R.i.p Richard he was very active doing sota /wota activations and will be sadly missed M8MOW
Richard was a keen WOTA activator until very recently, and I had the pleasure of a few WOTA S2S with him but wasn’t fortunate enough to meet him in person. His last logged activation was Dent on the 2nd April this year.
Even though Richard was local to me never got to meet him he was a pure gentleman on the radio and had the pleasure to talk to him a good few times. This is all still sinking in with his radio friends but my heart goes out to his family.
Richard was a great guy a great fellow ham I had lots of time for him. Was a regular at Workington Radio Club and we did enjoy the 145 alive event. Such a shock he will be sadly missed by all. RIP Richard
Richard phoned me up in April to ask if i would like to activate Dent as part of the SOTA weekend. It was not a very good day with mist poor visibility but he had brought a tarp to make a small shelter, we had a memorable time good crack and the most contacts i’ve had from Dent .
Richard gave not indication of having a problem he just got on with thing has normal I will miss his enthusiasm and last-last -last-last calls he was definitely not a 4 and go guy he always gave every one a chance to work him. My condolences to Annis and family
