Allan Ogden, G5OD, 27th August 2016

Allan Ogden, G5OD (SK) operating HF in 2011, then aged 95.

Allan Ogden, G5OD, passed away on the 27th of August 2016, barely three weeks after his 100th birthday.

Allan was first licensed in 1934 at the age of 18. His interest in radio dated back to his days at Manchester Grammar school, where he developed a keen interest in anything and everything electrical. In the lifetime that followed, his prime radio interests were always construction and CW. He devised homebrew kit of all kinds, from simple receivers and QRP rigs to complex transceivers and high power amplifiers. In his early days of radio, like many amateurs of the day, he did, of course, cut and grind his own crystals. Shortly after receiving his licence, Allan moved home to high ground in Colwyn Bay where, with plenty of space for antennas, he met and formed a lasting friendship with David Mitchell, G6AA. The two had many QSOs and did a great deal of experimentation on the bands – including Top Band. Another great friend of those days was John Clarricoats, G6CL, then editor of the T&R Bulletin.

In WWII he enlisted and went to work with a group of ‘boffins’ within the RAF, where he helped to develop very high voltage, high power, beam systems to interfere with enemy airborne guidance devices. After his demob Allan took up radio again, with a special interest in worldwide HF CW operation, and was invited into the FOC (First Class CW Operators’ Club), where he held Membership Number 88 for more than 50 years. David, G6AA emigrated to New Zealand and Allan decided to do the same with his whole family. Eventually, Allan built his own house and created a cattle farming business that he ran for some 15 years. He returned to the UK in 1960 and settled in Guildford, and joined the local Guildford and District ARS.

In 2005 Allan became a founder member and treasurer of a new local club with a particular focus on CW: The Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group. He was appointed an Honorary Life Member of the club in 2015. Participating in field days and other contests (of which BERU was always his favourite), he remained active on the bands until the age of 95, when, with severe arthritis setting in, he felt his CW was not up to the standard he would like and regrettably closed down his station. He moved into a care home, where, with failing sight, he was still able to read Morse by ear. On the occasion of his 100th birthday, he enjoyed the greetings of fellow club members recorded in Morse code.

Category: Silent Keys