BCC Member of the Year 2023: DK6WL

Während des diesjährigen BCC Buffets am 24.9.23 wurde die Tradition fortgesetzt und ein Mitglied ausgezeichnet. Hier ist die Rede unseres Präsidenten Chris, DL1MGB:

For around a quarter in its history, the Bavarian Contest Club is awarding the “BCC Member of the Year” award to honor members with outstanding dedication and commitment to the BCC.

In these modern times, when homework, theses or speeches are created by artificial intelligence, and because I always struggle in writing such speeches, I gave ChatGPT a chance:

“ChatGPT, could you please write me an introduction speech for the BCC Member of the Year 2023?” And here what the machine gave out:

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to our BCC Member of the Year 2023. For those who may not know he is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished and skilled contesters in our community. He has made a significant impact on the world of ham radio by consistently participating in various international contests and has achieved impressive results throughout his career.

His passion for contest is truly remarkable. He spends countless hours perfecting his skills and pushing himself to new heights in the hobby.

Apart from his remarkable achievements, he is also well-known for his generosity and willingness to share his knowledge with others.”

So far, so good, ChatGPT. Nothing wrong so far, but a kind of impersonal, isn’t it?

Let’s try it the old-fashioned way.

Obtaining the license at the age of 16, he soon got into contesting, taking part in his first CQWW contest a year later in 1975, and many more followed. He was active either at the club station, at his friend’s stations, or at home. With his own beam on a four-story building and an amplifier. Not too bad for a young guy in the 70’s, right?

But growing up with cheap coffee and cigarettes from across the Luxembourg border, he soon realized he had to change something in his life.

After university, he moved to Bavaria in 1985. Maybe he was fed up with the Rhineland wine. Or because he wanted to learn more about the Bavarian beer. Or maybe both. Or maybe it was just because of his professional work. First in radar technology, later in cell phone communications, he had to struggle with Gigahertz problems. In his spare time, he concentrated his activities on the other side of the spectrum, the Low Bands. Over 300 DXCC’s on 80m and around 300 on 160m is a good proof for that. The good ears you need for this business, he was able to train during his time at the German Army when listening to CW stations from the other side of the iron curtain.

His knowledge and experience he gained over the years were never kept secret. He was and is more than willing to share it with those who are looking for it. And helping with all kinds of equipment from his impressive stock.

Soon after he moved to Bavaria, he also got in touch with the Bavarian Contest Club. And got stuck there.

In the year 1999, together with Manfred, DK2OY, he joined the BCC board and was working with him as contest manager until the end of 2022. For 23 years. And this was not only motivating members to be active in contests or putting together result lists for club competitions. It also included the almost impossible task to educate adults how to correctly read and write emails.

Besides helping with the BCC booth at the Ham Radio in Friedrichshafen, he also took over the lead of the Contest Forum. Organizing national and international presenters with new and exciting presentations about contest related topics. Until today, for 21 years now.

He definitely has his own mind and is not afraid to push it through in heated discussions. Saying about himself: “Not always gentle, but man!”

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a great honor for me to present the

BCC Member of the Year 2023

Helmut Heinz, DK6WL