Howard Booth, VK2AMD pictured here at the age of 95

Howard Booth VK2AMD (G2AS) reaches 100 in March

Well known Australian operator and former Sheffield Amateur Radio Club member Howard Booth, VK2AMD will be 100 years old on March 6th 2008. He must be one of the oldest or even the oldest active radio amateur in Australia.

Originally G2AS of Sheffield (and still in the Callbook as such), Howard and his young family emigrated to Australia after the bad winters of the late 1940s.

Settling in Windang, NSW, some 60 miles south of Sydney, Howard, who was a builder and roofer in the UK, built his own house at 53 Ocean Street, Windang and still lives in it today. For a while, while he was building the house, it is reputed that he and his family lived in the large garage that was later to become his shack!

Until a couple of years ago, Howard could regularly be heard on 20m SSB, long and short path, working UK stations. For many years he kept twice daily skeds with G4XVU and the late G3EQF of Mansfield, Notts. Many Sheffield and South Yorkshire operators would join in. Howard has a "soft spot" for his native Sheffield and is always pleased if Sheffield and other UK amateurs call in to see him while they are on holiday in Australia. You will receive one or more good strong cups of Yorkshire tea while you are there!

For many years Howard used a 700 foot long rhombic antenna which extended over the sand dunes and onto the beach behind his house.

While holidaying in the UK during the late 1960s, the local Windang council bulldozed the mast on the beach and he arrived back home to find he could only run a V beam instead! Later he downsized to a three element 20m monobander but nowadays he has only a simple dipole and low power. So, sadly, we now don't hear him often enough.

In his younger days in South Yorkshire, Howard was a keen gymnast and body builder. During the 1920s he won several body building competitions. A non-smoker, he has always kept very fit, so much so that Peter, G3PHO, who visited him some five years ago was amazed to see him lift 100 pounds weights and to go on beach walks that made Peter hurry!

Howard never lost his Sheffield accent. In fact if if you ever visit him, go round to his back door and shout,"Howard, are you in?", and he'll reply,"Eh yup! Ar reet then? Cum in.." !!

While living in Sheffield, Howard was a founder member of the local radio radio club. He was always on hand for National Field Day, presumably because he could lift the masts single handed!

If, after reading this, you may have time to send Howard a congratulatory message. His address is 53 Ocean Street, Windang, NSW, Australia

Sheffield Amateur Radio Club recently sent him a specially framed group photograph of club members, along with a birthday card signed by the same members.