Jim Linton VK3PC - Silent Key

Australian radio amateurs have lost a stalwart, a man who has dedicated many of his life-long skills and talents to the furtherance of our hobby; Jim Linton, VK3PC.

Of recent years, Jim has had to contend with a few health issues and sadly passed away in the early hours of Thursday 22nd February 2018, at Epworth Hospital, Box Hill, Victoria, after a short battle with thyroid cancer. He was aged 71 years. The first appearance of his call sign was in the 1981/82 Call Book.

Professionally, Jim was a journalist with skills in marketing and communications and he willingly applied those skills voluntarily to the furtherance of amateur radio. Jim’s lifetime skills were applied over the broad WIA structure, initially within Victoria, later within the Federal and National WIA and indeed internationally, via his involvement with the International Amateur Radio Union.

Amateur radio is a complex hobby, being one of the most regulated non-commercial pursuits, and requiring volunteers with the necessary skills to handle the many matters inherent to such an environment, some of which can be quite complex and have the potential to hinder or restrict our privileges, if not quickly and appropriately addressed. Over the years, Jim capably applied his skills to assist, and often take the lead, in many facets of the administration of our hobby.

Joining the WIA as an enthusiastic teenage, shortwave listener, he soon became involved within the Victorian Division, including the Sunday news broadcasts, working his way up to becoming State President and Federal Councillor. Later, he became involved with Amateur Radio magazine where he acted in a number of capacities, including News Editor and Guest Editor. He also wrote many articles for AR; quite a few were historical in nature, a subject which interested him and resulted in being awarded the Ron Higginbotham Award from the Publications Committee.

AR magazine was not the only involvement Jim had with Federal and National WIA affairs. In 1985 and 2010, he was involved with the 75th and 100th Anniversary celebrations of the WIA. He became the inaugural assessor for the WIA Exam Service for VK3 under the new examination structure that was devolved by the then regulator. Later, Jim took on international amateur radio affairs through involvement with International Amateur Radio Union, attending a number of important IARU Region III Conferences. In addition, he was appointed Chairman of the Region III Disaster Communications Committee.

Jim always wanted to see more people involved in amateur radio. From 2007, he was a WIA Assessor and was actively involved in 196 assessments, continuing his efforts to introduce people to amateur radio.

In more recent times, when the new WIA Board took office in May 2017, Jim was asked to remain in the position of Board Secretary to provide some additional continuity in the operation of the Institute while the New Board was 'finding its feet'.

Jim was one of the WIA's longest-serving office holders. He was an Honorary Life Member of the WIA and of Amateur Radio Victoria. He was awarded the WIA's highest honour in 2011: the GA Taylor Medal, presented in recognition of exceptional service to the Institute. (GA Taylor was the founding Chairman of the Institute of Wireless in 1910, which later became today's WIA.). Jim also received the Chris Jones Award for his exceptional contributions to the WIA and amateur radio.(Chris Jones VK2ZDD was the first secretary of the newly-formed National WIA in 2004, whose vision and commitment was instrumental to forming the modern Wireless Institute of Australia.)

Vale Jim Linton, VK3PC, SK.

Our sincere condolences are extended to Pauline and their extended family.

Funeral details will be announced once they have been set.

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