It is with sad news that we report our Newspaper Editor, John McKee, WB6VKS, passed away on February 26, 2015. John was a former President of the Desert RATS in 1974 and a member for over 40 years. John moved to Palm Springs in 1969. He taught photography, science, coached the wrestling team and was the yearbook adviser at Palm Springs High School for over 35 years, retiring in 2001. John was born on December 28, 1942 in Portland Oregon. He married Julie Stiff, WB6RUM on June 12, 1965 in Palm Springs. She has also been a member of the Desert RATS for over 40 years. John grew up in Oregon and attended Parkrose High School where he was on the wrestling team and played football all four years. He received a full scholarship for football at the University of La Verne where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree. John received a National Science Foundation Grant to Washington State University, where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Physics. John was also Master of the Palm Springs Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. He was a member of the California Retired Teachers Association and editor of the newsletter for them as well as the Desert Rats.
As President of the Desert RATS in the 1970’s, he was the front runner of the repeaters at that time. The Desert RATS put up a repeater at the transmitting site of KMIR-TV and utilized the KMIR-TV Antenna. The repeater consisted of equipment on loan from the Palm Springs Police Department. The system included an automatic shut off and an emergency power unit. This system was back up for the Civil Defense System. The repeater was unique nationally but it was very popular in Southern California, which had more repeaters than anywhere else at the time.
About 6 years ago, we started having Hamfest at the “Barn”. John was in a wheelchair at that time due to an accident. He wanted to attend the Hamfest so bad that he parked in the street at the bottom of the dirt and gravel driveway and came all the way up to the barn in his motorized wheelchair. He wanted to come a week or so before the Hamfest so he could see if he could do it. He was figuring he might not be able to on the day of the Hamfest due to so many attending and unable to drive up to the barn. And he made it!! He had fantastic determination. But we told him we would save space in front of the barn so he could drive up and get out of his van in front of the barn. He attended every Hamfest we had and enjoyed them immensely. John also attended several of our meetings at the Palm Springs City Corporate Yard and he brought his wife as well as visiting friends.
John became our newsletter editor about 6 years ago. He helped design the current format and put it all together. He e-mailed it to everyone in the club. We will never be able to understand how he managed to put it together with his handicap. He will be very difficult to replace and we will miss him greatly, not only as our editor, but also as a member for over 40 years. He was a friend to many and a great Ham Radio Operator. Even though John had difficulty talking, he had a wonderful way about him expressing his thoughts though facial expressions. We marvel at what was able to do. He may be a silent key, but his call sign will all live in the hearts of many: WB6VKS.
John McKee at a Desert RATS Dinner sometime in 1975 or 1976
John McKee helping to install new repeater at KMIR-TV site
Civil Defense Radio System writeup that John McKee helped install
Gary and Susie Boskovich, KD6QLT & KD6TVO
