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 Previous: FCC Designates Hearing on Former Amateur's GMRS Application |  Next: RW-I: A Sensible Report For PSK31 |
ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO (left), shares the podium at the Hamvention 2001 AMSAT-NA forum with Roy Neal, K6DUE. |
Bauer and Neal attempt a ham radio linkup with the ISS during the AMSAT-NA forum at Dayton 2001. Neal later interviewed by telephone Dennis Tito, KG6FZK, the first "space tourist" aboard the ISS, and astronaut Janice Voss, KC5BTK. |
Roy Neal, K6DUE, and AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, at an ARISS International Team meeting. |
NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 18, 2003--A service has been set for Tuesday, August 19, in High Point, North Carolina, for Roy Neal, K6DUE, who died August 15 following major heart surgery earlier in the week. He was 82. A retired NBC News science correspondent, producer and executive, Neal--born Roy N. Hinkel--chaired the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX)/Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Working Group. ARISS Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said Neal played a pivotal role in getting NASA to permit Amateur Radio aboard human spaceflight vehicles.
"Through his extensive contacts in NASA, he was instrumental in convincing NASA management to fly Amateur Radio onboard the space shuttle," said Bauer, who expressed condolences to Neal's family on behalf of ARISS and AMSAT. "Roy's successful negotiations with NASA management led to the first on-orbit Amateur Radio operations by astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL, on the STS-9 space shuttle Columbia flight in November 1983."
Bauer, who's also AMSAT-NA's vice president for human spaceflight programs, also credited Neal with being instrumental in forming the ARISS international team and for moderating its gatherings. "K6DUE's extensive experience as a newsman was put into practice as he utilized these talents to keep the ARISS team on-track and focused during these critical, consensus-gathering meetings," Bauer added. Neal also often emceed ARISS school group ham radio contact teleconferences. ARISS, a joint project of ARRL, AMSAT and NASA, developed the first permanent ham station in space aboard the ISS.
Bauer called Neal "an encyclopedia of knowledge" about the US space program and said he was honored to have him as a friend.
"I will miss him dearly," Bauer said. "K6DUE worked tirelessly to expand Amateur Radio operations beyond the surface of the earth. He personally challenged me and the entire ARISS team to develop, operate and maintain a permanent Amateur Radio station on the ISS. The ham radio station onboard the ISS serves as a living legacy to Roy Neal."
Neal covered all of the Mercury missions for NBC--becoming a personal friend of the Mercury 7 astronauts in the process--and later reported the Gemini and Apollo missions and many early space shuttle flights. In the process, he got to know many of the country's space pioneers. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame for his role in persuading NASA to allow the first Amateur Radio operation from space.
Neal also was a regular visitor and sometime presenter at Hamvention and a correspondent and reporter for Amateur Radio Newsline. He hosted the 1987 ARRL video production New World Of Amateur Radio, an overview of ham radio in space.
A Pennsylvania native, Neal began his broadcasting career at a Philadelphia radio station. Subsequently, he served as an infantry officer during World War II and served as a program manager for the Armed Forces Radio Network in Europe. Following the war, he resumed his broadcasting career in Philadelphia, this time in television. He went on to set up NBC's West Coast news bureau. Later, the former NBC correspondent and producer anchored the New Year's Day Tournament of Roses Parade telecast for many years.
An ARRL member, Neal had been licensed for much of his adult life and was active on the air until the last few weeks of his life. He enjoyed DXing, HF and VHF. Survivors include his wife Pat and sons David and Mark.
Neal's services will be 11 AM August 19 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Drive, High Point. The family invites donations in lieu of flowers to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, Astronaut Hall of Fame, ATTN Linn LeBlanc, 6225 Vectorspace Blvd, Titusville, FL 32780.
| Previous: FCC Designates Hearing on Former Amateur's GMRS Application | Next: RW-I: A Sensible Report For PSK31 |
