ARRL Special Bulletin ARLX004 (2006)


Special Bulletin 4  ARLX004
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  July 27, 2006
To all radio amateurs

ARLX004 Dr. Charles E. "Chuck" Brady Jr, N4BQW, SK

shuttle mission in 1996, then the longest ever. ARRL Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS) liaison Rosalie White,
K1STO, says Brady saw into the future of ham radio in space.

"And he predicted that Amateur Radio would be a very important means
for astronauts to feel as though they were in touch with the world
while staying on-orbit for months on end-and so it is," White said.
"During his shuttle flight, he spent more hours on the ham airwaves
than probably he should have, much to the pleasure of hams

Following his career as an active astronaut, Brady went on to take
part in several popular DXpeditions. According to The Daily DX and
QST "How's DX?" Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR, Brady activated some
of the rarer American Pacific islands including Kure Island, Palmyra
and Jarvis Island, Midway Island, Wake Island, Baker and Howland
Island and Kingman Reef.

"Probably Chuck's most notable operation was that of 3Y0C from
Bouvet Island," McClenny recounts. "This one was kept totally secret
until he showed up on the air in January 2001. Later that year Chuck
was the dinner speaker at the Dayton DX Dinner."

"Chuck will surely be missed by his many friends around the world,
and many will remember him as a kind a loving human being," McClenny

A physician, Brady held the rank of captain in the US Navy. The
North Carolina native packed a lot of activities into his
all-too-short lifetime. In addition to ham radio, he enjoyed
canoeing, kayaking, tennis, and cycling.

He received training as a flight surgeon after joining the US Navy
in 1986, and he was flight surgeon for the Blue Angels Navy flight
demonstration squadron from 1989 until 1990. In 1992, NASA selected
Brady as an astronaut candidate, and he qualified as a mission
specialist for shuttle flights, ultimately logging more than 405
hours in space.

Survivors include Brady's fiancÃ© Susan, their four-year-old son
Charlie, and a sister. A military service is planned.