John Ellis - NP2B - SK (December 3, 2024)
John's station when he lived on St. Croix in the USVI.
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Last night, I learned our dear friend and fellow Net Control Station had passed away. I’m not sure how long John had been with MMSN, but I first met him around August 1999. He was on the air it seemed every afternoon, not including his regular time slot.
John and his wife, Jeanette - KB4XO (ex-NP2C), lived on the island of St. Croix from 1988 to 2012. While living in St. Croix, John served as ARRL Section Manager for many years. He also had a huge station and many loved to operate from there. Back around 2003, he hosted one of the US Air Force Hurricane Hunter Pilots, Captain Dave Tenneson – NL7MT while they were there on St. Croix giving a tour of the C-130 Hurricane Hunter aircraft.
In early 2001, John joined the Hurricane Watch Net. In 2021, I had the honor of making John an Honorary Member of HWN for his 20 years of continuous service.
In 2012, John and his wife moved to The Villages, Florida to retire. Since this is an HOA city, John found a way to still operate on MMSN and HWN using either Flag Pole antennas or dual mag-mount antennas. Not the best, but he was on the air doing his best and doing what he loved.
Over the years, John wrote several “classic radio” articles for QST. In the September 2017 issue, he wrote an article on the construction of a “Flagpole antenna”. As John noted,
“There is nothing special about the flagpole antenna I described except for the use of the acetal rod as the center insulator and for enhanced base support. That rod is tough, and you could damage a perfectly good truck by trying to break it!”
I will always remember John for having a friendly and caring voice. He loved ham radio, he loved working with MMSN and HWN.
With deepest sympathy,
Bobby Graves KB5HAV
Webmaster
Maritime Mobile Service Network
Net Manager and Webmaster
Hurricane Watch Net
Thursday, December 4, 2024
John Joseph Ellis
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Banks/Page-Theus Funerals and Cremations on Dec. 5, 2024.
John Joseph Ellis, 81, passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2024. He was born Tuesday, July 27, 1943, in Chicago, IL.
He and Jeanette moved to The Villages, FL after living in the Virgin Islands for 24 years; during that time he worked as a bankruptcy trustee. He was a Ham Radio Operator, call sign NP2B and an active contributing member of The Villages Amateur Radio Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Samuel and Mildred (nee Polak) Ellis; and sister-in-law: Nancy Compton.
He was survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Jeanette (nee Bramlett) Ellis.
There will be a gathering of family and friends from 1pm to 2 pm followed by a celebration of life funeral service 2 pm Monday, December 9, 2024, at Banks/Page-Theus Chapel 410 Webster St. Wildwood, FL 34785.
Private family interment will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's name to American Radio Relay League -Donation Link...
https://www.arrl.org/memorial-gifts or Mail to: Kevin Beal, K8EAL ARRL Director of Development 225 Main Street, Newington, CT. 06111-1494 Telephone 860-594-0317
Thursday, December 4, 2024
I was just made aware that long-time MMSN member John Ellis, NP2B became a silent key. I am just trying to grasp this as I had a wonderful relationship with John.
John was one of the first guys I spoke to on the air when I joined MMSN in 2011. He was a wonderful guy and helped me through many times when we had no training program like we have today. You were pretty much on your own.
John was so helpful many times and was always willing to lend me assistance.
John had some signal from the US Virgin Islands.
Around 2012, due to health reasons, John moved to the Villages in Lake Mary about 40 miles north of me. Even with tough HOA antenna restrictions, John was determined to get an antenna up because he loved the MMSN. He alway told me to not count him out. John got a great flagpole antenna up and had some wonderful signals. He told me that lots of ground radials were the secret. If you look at his QRZ page he even mentions this.
Once he got the antenna up, John took the 1500 shift on Thursdays and has had that shift for many years. When I was the second assistant manager handling the schedule, I called on him many times to help out when we needed someone to cover a shift. John would change appointments so that he could get on the air and help out. He so loved this organization and being from an island, he so appreciated the net mission. He was so dedicated to the MMSN and helped many mariners throughout the years.
Most importantly I will miss this friend. I would talk with him often and he always had great suggestions. John was instrumental in the weather broadcast procedures we now have. As he said to me, you can't help a boat when you are broadcasting a half hour weather report. There were many others that offered support but I will never forget John's counsel on this. It helped me out tremendously.
I will miss John so much on a personal level. John had many humorous stories we both shared. I will miss this. I wish I could tell John that he will be sorely missed but somehow I think he knows this.
As I have said in the past with other members who have passed, I know that when it's our time to go, John will be there waiting for us with his radio not far away. I know that he will be there with a big smile on his face, and will simply say “What took so long, let's make some contacts my good friends”!
In the words of George Jung;
"May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars"
Till we meet again!
Jeff Savasta, KB4JKL
Net Manager
Maritime Mobile Service Network
