RODNEY
H. (ROD) NEWKIRK VA3ZBB QCWA # 27232
Grew up in Chicago, Illinois
Education / Employment History
1942-1943 US War Department (Washington, DC)
civilian radio operator at Station WAR.
1943-1946 US Army Signal Corps served in
Florida, Papua-New Guinea and Phillipines.
1946-1986 Illinois State Police Radio
Began as CW radio operator/technician on ISP circuits. Later, voice radio
dispatcher function was added.
1947-1952 American Radio Relay League part-time
writer-editor, while still with Illinois State Police
1952-1954 - American Radio Relay League Newington, Connecticut custodian of Station W1AW.
1954-1978 - American Radio Relay League columnist
Hows DX? in QST, while back with Illinois State Police. Coined terms 'Elmer'
and 'DXpedition'.
1986 Retired from Illinois State Police.
2004-2009 Wrote monthly column in K9YA
Telegraph e-zine, and appointed Contributing Editor in 2008.
Amateur Radio History
1937 First licensed as W9BRD in Chicago,
Illinois. Still holds call sign.
1952-1954 assigned callsign W1VMW while at ARRL
HQ.
1954 back in Illinois with original call sign
W9BRD.
1984 Elected CQ DX Hall of Fame.
1994 Invited to speak at W9DXCC banquet.
1997 Moved to Canada and married Betty VE3ZBB.
2000 - Received matching Canadian call sign VA3ZBB.
Active in Ottawa on HF CW and 2M FM. Regular at
weekly breakfasts until Sept 2009.
Holds ARRL 55 WPM Certificate.
Member of RAC, ARRL, OARC, OVMRC, CRRA, FISTS and
Morse Telegraph Club.
Member of QCWA and Chapter 70. Was presented with
QCWA QCWA 70 Years Licensed Golden Certificate and lapel pin at the Chapter
70 May 2007 dinner meeting and the QCWA Century Certificate at the Chapter 70
May 2010 dinner meeting.
Biography prepared by VE3XK with assistance from VA3ZBB and VE3ZBB 2010-12-12