Wilbert Knol ZL2BSJ is leaving Wellington and moving back to his home country (The Netherlands) for work reasons at the end of December 2007.
Wilbert has made an outstanding contribution to amateur radio while he has been in ZL over the past 20 years. His sense of humour, technical knowledge, operating skills and "make it happen' attitude will be much missed by the ZL amateur radio community, and especially the Quartz Hill Supporters Group.
Wilbert has been an enthusiastic supporter of Quartz Hill since the Wellington Amateur Radio Club started developing the station in 1997. Throughout that time he has been a member of the Quartz Hill Committee and has also been the Quartz Hill Finance Manager for several years. Wilbert has done a lot more than just support the business of the Committee – he has participated in almost all of the monthly working bee activities at Quartz Hill, and has also been responsible for establishing key initiatives like the ZL6QH HF pactor system.
Of particular note is Wilbert’s interest in and contribution to HF contest and DX operations. Wilbert was a key member of the ZM2K contest station, the ZL9CI DXpedition, and more recently he has been one of the most passionate and regular participants in the contest operations at ZL6QH. He has also been a member of the Oceania DX Contest Committee since it was formed in 2001.
One of Wilbert’s passions is CW and he is undoubtedly one of the best CW operators in ZL. His CW skills will be greatly missed by the ZL6QH contest team and the club’s Field Day team.
The club sincerely wishes Wilbert all the best with his future endeavours in Europe, and we look forward to keeping in touch with him, both via the internet and in the contest pileups.
BELOW: Wilbert holding the plaque (incorporating a genuine piece of Quartz Hill rock) that was presented to him in December 2007, to recognise his outstanding contribution to the work of the club and ZL6QH.
