Dr Charles E. 'Chuck' Brady Jr, N4BQW, SK

Retired space shuttle astronaut and DXer Chuck Brady, N4BQW, of Oak Harbor, Washington, died July 23 following a lengthy illness. He was 54.

During his years as an active astronaut in the 1990s, Brady was among the pioneers of SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment). An ARRL member, he was active on ham radio during the 16-day STS-78 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 worldwide."

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 Holand 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 said.

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 fiancé Susan, their four-year-old son Charlie, and a sister. A military service is planned.

Source: The American Radio Relay League

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