W4THN Vernon H. Fix Virginia Beach, VA QCWA # 12997 Chapter 119

Born July 17, 1930 in Greene Co. Ohio and raised on a farm near Jamestown, Ohio. Graduated from Ross High School nearby. Joined the US Navy in Sept. 1947 as a Seaman, served in Navy 1947-1968. After retiring USN as a LCDR I attended and graduated Ohio State University in 1972.

First licensed Dec. 1949 as W4THN while stationed at NATTC (USN) near Memphis, TN. Graduated from the USN Electronic School in NATTC Memphis as an AT3. Changed my call to WA1UJU later when transfered. Worked my way up to Chief by 1955. Served in several Avaition squadrons. Went to VR-8 in Frankfort, Germany in spring of 1949 for the Berlin Airlift. Went to VR-6 in the fall of 1949 in Holyoke, MA.

Married Dorothy in 1952 while stationed in Holyoke, Mass. Together we raised 4 children. Transferred to Missile School in 1952 for 4 months then to Chincoteague, VA NAS early in 1953. Selected to attend OCS in late 1955. Promoted through the ranks from Ensign to LCDR before retirement in 1968. Worked in electronics, fire-control and Gunnery. Seven years at sea on 3 ships, all destroyer types, the USS C.P. Cecil (DDR-835)(1955-1958), the USS Soley (DD-707)(1958-1959) and the USS W.D. Leahy (DLG-16)(1962-1965). Transferred Sept. 1965 to the USN Naval Gunnery School in Great Lakes, IL for my last tour before retiring in 1968. Changed the call to WA9QQK at Great Lakes IL.

Changed call to WA8ZQI when I retired from the Navy in 1968. Moved to Columbus, OH. in 1968 to attend Ohio State U., graduated in 1972.

Asked for and rec'd my old/original call W4THN back in 1972 when I moved to Virginia Beach.

I have been checking in to the Grave Yard Net (6-8 EST on 3967kc) since 1965.

Dorothy and I have enjoyed 8 cruises together on the white boats(Cruise Lines), better service than on the Grey boats(USN), hi hi. After Dorothy quit cruising I organized and ran three Ham Radio Cruises in 2006(Princess) , 2008(Carnival) and the last one in 2010(Carnival). Lots of fun. On the last two HRC we would set up at the Port and Starboard Fantail on the LIDO deck by the pool and Snack Bars. We operated usually from a little after 0600 local to after evening dinner. Most of us wanted to see the shows anyway. We could operate all night if you wanted too. We were the DX.

73, Vernon Fix, W4THN

July 09, 2015