William Fanckboner, W9INN, Silent Key

William E. "Bill" Fanckboner, W9INN, of Mt Prospect, Illinois - the proprietor of W9INN Antennas - died July 30. He was 80.

W9INN Antennas will die with him. "He did all of the work by himself, so it is effectively out of business," said his daughter, Robin Randall. "He was the business."

Refunds will be mailed to those with existing orders.
An ARRL member and supporter, Fanckboner turned his talents for radio and electronics into W9INN Antennas some three decades ago after working for Motorola, and he was a regular QST advertiser.

Fanckboner designed and hand-built custom antennas, including the MPD-5C-78, MPD-2 and MDX-8C "hideaway" dipoles, and, his daughter says, he was working full time until a week prior to his death.

Fanckboner enjoyed a reputation within the amateur community for skilled workmanship and a friendly, helpful manner.

A memorial service was held August 9.

The family invites memorial donations to the American Cancer Society.

Sorce: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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