The AM Forum

Folks,

I have some very sad news to pass along.  Bob - W2ICQ has joined the ranks of the many other Silent Keys.  I received a phone call from Bob's wife Bev telling me the news.

Bob's health situation has not been good over the last several years or so. 

More than ever, I treasure the trips that Martha and I made to visit Bob over the years.  He was a man of many talents and will always be known for his excellent craftsmanship in building beautiful transmitters.  The  many Vernon Chambers 813 rigs that he build were beyond gorgeous.   Among his many talents was playing his beloved Allen electronic organ.  Fortunately, on one of our trips to pay Bob and Bev a visit, I recorded him playing that organ.   Things could have gone terrible wrong many years ago when he had kidney cancer, but he successfully beat it.  He was really proud and often talked about beating that form of cancer.

Those that frequent the AWA PM-AM Net will remember Bob's booming in with his 4-250 modulated by a pair of 810's.   He was proud that his audio chain was nothing more than a D-104 going into a "ICQ" modified pre-amp and audio driver.  While his QRZ page is still up, please take a last look at some of Bob's creations. 

Joe-W3GMS

Bob playing his beloved home organ.

Joe-GMS

So sorry to hear this. Had many enjoyable QSOs with Bob over the years. He was always a gentleman and a wealth of technical info. He will be greatly missed.

Extra respect for those who can play the organ.

Sorry to hear. I talked and listen to him many times over the years,  he knew how to work a D104,
Always put in a great signal.
I did his audio mods my valiant and worked great..
RIP Bob..

The AM community lost a gentleman and a friend. Bob shared the design of his big rig with me and I patterned the RF deck of my homemade transmitter after his. He was generous enough to give me some parts to get me started during one of my visits to his QTH. RIP Bob. Condolences to his family.

Sad news indeed.

Bob ICQ and Bob ZM, the Syracuse Bookends, were my Elmers. I learned much from them.

G

My sincere condolences. ❤✝❤

I am really saddened hearing that Bob had passed. I knew Bob for more than 30+ years and always had a great time visiting with him and Bev at the Rockchester hamfest.  We had many QSO's talking about the Johnson Desk KW, trains and just a variety of things. He and I had interest in the Vernon Chambers 813 rig which he helped me find parts for to build as he had built 3 of them.
He will be missed.........until our next hamfest.......
RIP my friend.

Sorry to hear the sad news about Bob. He was a great guy. I remember he helped me get my Globe King 400 working when I first acquired it. I would talk to him on 40M a lot. I even got a handwritten schematic of his famous D104 tone control circuit.

Jerry

So sorry to hear that Bob is gone. He was a wonderful guy to chat with throughout the years. He was always good at listening and offering common sense ideas when someone encountered a roadblock while building up a rig. His booming signal will be missed here.

73,  Rob W1AEX