Dr Julian Gannaway, G3YGF, SK
Dr Julian Gannaway, G3YGF
Dr Julian Gannaway, G3YGF sadly passed away suddenly in early December after nearly 60 years as a very keen and highly competent radio amateur. He was 72. His interest spanned VLF to microwaves. He was very active with the Radio Society of Great Britain for many years, especially on matters relating to microwaves and licensing, and served as RSGB President in 1989.
EME
His interest in EME began in the late 1970s, when he worked with other members of the Oxford University Radio Club, G3OUR to build a 432MHz EME station using four G3JVL loop Yagi antennas sited on a tennis court belonging to one of the Oxford colleges.
Other members of the group later built a 20ft dish for 432 and 1296MHz and Julian designed the mechanics and servo control system (Fox Box) for a rotatable polarisation 432MHz feed that could swing up to 180° in less than a second to combat Faraday.
He was also involved in the design of some early GaAs FET preamplifiers, including measurement of noise figure using the hot/cold technique.
Research and development
During his time at Oxford, Julian was involved in the development of practical narrow-band techniques for 10GHz. His doctorate supervisor had been involved in the development of TWTs and gave Julian a 10W tube. He used this as part of a fixed station on the top of the Oxford University Engineering building to conduct daily tropo scatter tests with Mike, G3JVL over a 110km path.
During these tests they discovered massive enhancements due to rain scatter, which at the time was unknown to the amateur community.
Mike and Julian were also involved in very early attempts at 10GHz EME. Mike had access to a 100W tube, which he brought to Oxford on several occasions during the mid-1980s in an attempt (unsuccessful, unfortunately) to receive EME echoes on 10GHz.
The dish was a 3.65m four-petal dish that Julian had been given by RSGB, having originated from the Post Office Tower in London.
Amateur achievements
After completing his D. Phil, Julian moved from Oxford to work at Plessey Roke Manor Research until his retirement. He joined the Flight Refuelling Club (G4RFR) and, using the same 3.65m dish, made the first G-G contact on 10GHz EME, using a borrowed 20W TWT.
Working with other members of G4RFR, many refinements to the system were made in the decade which followed, including auto-tracking, a novel anti-backlash mechanism and acquisition of a high-power 10GHz TWT. G4RFR’s strong signal will be known to many!
In recent years, more bands were added so that G4RFR is now QRV on 1.3-10GHz. Julian was hoping to also become active on 24GHz soon and the club is planning to continue this project.
Julian also collaborated with other G4RFR club members to design and construct the ambitious five-band microwave beacon complex using the GB3SC series callsigns at IO80UU59.
He will be much missed by his many friends. RIP Julian, G3YGF.
John Fell, G0API
Charlie Suckling, DL3WDG
Memorial Service
For those unable to attend the Memorial Service for Dr Julian Gannaway, G3YGF on Monday 16 February, the service can be viewed online at watch.obitus.com
Username: foni4569
Password: 755907
Category: Front Page News, GB2RS Headlines, RSGB Notices, Silent Keys
