Welcome to the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Inc (AHARS)
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Ron COAT VK5RV.

Picture
Ron VK5RV and his wife Pat.

​June 1924 - 12th January 2020.

Ron's memorial service was held on January 17, 2020.  Family and friends, filled the small church at Upper Sturt.  Also present were: Hans VK5YX, Lesley VK5LOL, Paul VK5PH, and John VK5EMI.

Hans placed a radio microphone on the coffin, alongside other symbols of Ron's life.  The eulogy was read by Ron's son Ian VK5ZIC.  Sadly, Ron's eldest son, Graham VK4GLC, passed away some years ago.

In the congregation was local MP Josh Teague, and former local MP Stan Evans and his wife.

A brief stroll through the adjoining cemetery showed that this area has been rich in Coats and Evans family members for many generations.

Ron started life in the Tramways as an electrical fitter.  During the war, Ron joined the RAFF and because of his technical skills, became a radar mechanic as Australia was deploying a network of secret radar sites around the coast.  Ron's first deployment was to a site near Cape Jervis.  After that, Ron was posted to the northern coastline and islands of New Guinea.  WHile operating as a radar mechanic Ron worked under former AHARS members Phil Williams VK5PN and Ron Holmes VK5VH.

After the war, Ron joined the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service as a Lighthouse Mechanic where he continued for 40 years.  This involved the building, maintaining and deconstructing of lighthouses around South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and for a time New Guinea.

Ron had many stories of events along that career that could have ended in disaster as the unforgiving sea was always a present danger.  Notable among Ron's careeer was his involvement in the recovery and restoration of the cannons and ballast that James Cook thres overboard when the HMB Endeavour ran aground near what is now Cooktown.  Ron's skilled work can be seen at the National Museum of Australia, in one of the carriages he built to house the covered cannons.

Another notable activity close to home was the meticulous deconstruction of the lighthouse at South Nepture Island, so that it could be rebuilt in its prominent location on Black Diamond Corner, Port Adelaide.

Ron has always loved the sea, and was a keen fisherman from an early age.  He has always loved technology and amateur radio was a defining part of his life.
Picture
Ron VK5RV on air at the Cape Willoughby lighthouse, 1986.
Picture
At the AHARS 25th anniversary. Ron is 3rd from the left.










References.

AHARS Newsletter, May 2020.



  • Home
    • About us
    • Sister Clubs
  • History
    • Blackwood Radio Club
    • Lower Murray ARC
    • Historic QSL cards
  • Membership
    • Membership statistics
  • Current Committee
    • 2020 Committee
    • 2019 Committee
    • 2018 Committee
    • 2017 Committee
    • 2016 Committee
    • 2015 Committee
    • 2014 Committee
    • 2013 Commitee
    • 2012 Committee
    • 2011 Committee
    • 2010 Commitee
    • 2009 Committee
    • 2008 Committee
    • 2007 Committee
    • 2006 Committee
    • 2005 Committee
    • 2004 Committee
    • 2003 Committee
    • 2002 Committee
    • 2001 Committee
    • 2000 Committee
    • 1999 Committee
    • 1998 Committee
    • 1997 Committee
    • 1996 Committee
    • 1995 Committee
    • 1994 Committee
    • 1993 Committee
    • 1992 Committee
    • 1991 Committee
    • 1990 Committee
    • 1989 Committee
    • 1988 Committee
    • 1987 Committee
    • 1986 Committee
    • 1985 Committee
    • 1984 Committee
    • 1983 Committee
  • Upcoming Events
  • Archive of Past events
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • 2004
    • 2003
    • 2002
    • 2001
    • 2000
    • 1999
    • 1998
    • 1997
    • 1996
    • 1995
    • 1994
    • 1993
    • 1992
    • 1991
    • 1990
    • 1989
    • 1988
    • 1987
    • 1986
    • 1985
    • 1984
    • 1983
  • Licences & examinations
  • Kits
  • 'The Shack'
  • VK5RAD Crafers repeater
  • Central SA Repeater Network
  • Buy and Sell
  • Policies & Reports
  • Newsletters
  • Members circulars
  • ILLW
  • VK5 Parks Award
  • Club Awards
  • Out and About in VK5
  • Facebook
  • Members Introductions
    • John VK5BJE/VK5PF
    • Doc VK5BUG
    • Rubens VK5FE
    • Chris VK5FR
    • David VK5KC
    • Patrick VK5MPJ
    • Paul VK5PAS
    • Ivan VK5QV
    • Rob VK5RG
    • Colin VK5RO
    • Darcy VK5RJ
    • Jim VK5TR
    • Shirley VK5YL
  • Life Members
    • Marshall VK5FN
    • Gordon VK5KGS
  • Silent Keys
    • Jeff VK2MFR (VK5MFR)
    • Doug VK5DUG
    • Marshall VK5FN
    • Clem Tilbrook VK5GL
    • Phil VK5GM
    • John Hall VK5GMH
    • Ted VK5KBM
    • Eric VK5LP
    • Jim VK5NB
    • Phillip VK5NN
    • Ron VK5RA
    • Ron VK5RV
    • Bryan VK5SV
    • Alby VK5TAW
    • Wally VK5TW
    • Geoff VK5TY
    • Noel VK5VT
    • Joy VK5YJ
  • Articles, videos and files
    • Articles
    • Interesting videos
    • Audio files
  • What is amateur radio?
  • DX Code of Conduct
  • Propagation
  • QSL card checking
  • QSL information
  • Latest info/news
  • Contact us