Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Milestones: Longtime CQ Author Paul Carr, N4PC, SK


If you were a reader of CQ in the 1980s and '90s, you likely remember the many articles on antennas and other subjects by Paul Carr, N4PC, a talented engineer with the gift of being able to explain complex subjects in an easy-to-understand manner. While never formally a columnist, Paul was a frequent enough contributor that we had a CQ nametag made for him to wear at hamfests and other events. Paul became a Silent Key in September at age 80. The following tribute and photo were provided by his son-in-law, Bruce Cardwell, KI4BC: - W2VU

 
Paul Carr, N4PC (SK)
(Photo courtesy KI4BC)

Many of you may recall some of the articles that Paul wrote in this very publication reviewing amateur radio equipment, high frequency (HF) antennas (one of Paul's true loves and areas of focus), circuits and software.  Perusing the CQ back issue website, Paul's articles and reviews span topics ranging from the “80 Meter Loop Revisited” and “The 40 Meter Fun Machine”, to linear amplifiers and many other topics.  Paul was a ham's ham, with a keen intellect and a great sense of humor. 

Paul Carr was first licensed as a Novice Class operator, KN4OKY, in March of 1957.  His interest in radio would serve him and our nation well.  Paul served with distinction as a United States Army Signal Corps officer.  In 1963, he was given a letter of appreciation for arranging communications from Europe to the United States for then-President John F. Kennedy so that he could speak with his family via the U.S. Army's HF network.

After the Signal Corps, Paul worked for the then Lockheed Corporation and the Bell System, earning his Amateur Extra class license and his Professional Engineer's license (P.E.) along the way. Several years after divestiture of the Bell system, Paul became an educator, teaching mathematics at Alabama Technical Institute in Gadsden, and earning his master's degree in mathematics from Jacksonville State University, with an emphasis on Boolean Algebra. 

Paul was a consummate ham, whose QSLs truly spanned the globe many times over. In later years, he was a dedicated low power (QRP) operator. Paul maintained essentially two ham shacks at his house in Jacksonville, Alabama.  The main shack, located in the basement and, I am quite certain, borrowing from his phone company networking experience, another, smaller “shack” located near his easy chair in the den, all accessible at the flip of a switch!

Paul never stood still in amateur radio.  He was my amateur radio Elmer, friend and father in-law.  Many of our fellow hams who knew Paul will miss him very much, as will my family and I.