'Hashafisti Scratchi' a Silent Key

The man who wrote 'Scratchi' for CQ magazine is a Silent Key.

George H. Floyd, Jr., WA4DGA (ex-W2RYT), of Lynchburg, Virginia, entertained thousands of his fellow hams for more than two decades - between 1947 and 1971 - writing as a politically-incorrect (by today's standards) Japanese - American ham with fractured English and contorted spelling.

He wrote from "Feenix, Ariz.," began each column with "Deer Hon. Ed.," and regularly skewered the pomposity and poor operating practices he encountered on the air. He passed away November 22 at the age of 91.

In real life, George Floyd was an engineer and executive with General Electric, working in Schenectady and Syracuse, New York, before moving to Lynchburg, Virginia in the late 1950s. GE alumni will also remember George - pseudonymously as well - as 'Lighthouse Larry' in GE employee publications.

Scratchi first appeared in CQ in June, 1947. The column became a regular feature between 1948 and 1960, then returned from 1966 to 1971. For many CQ readers in that time period, Scratchi was the first item they read when the magazine arrived each month.

CQ Publisher Dick Ross, K2MGA, writing in the magazine's 50th anniversary issue in January, 1995, said: "For many years the name Hashafisti Scratchi has been almost synonymous with confusion and consternation in amateur radio. It seems, too, that whenever the unusual or impossible is happening, Scratchi is there helping it happen."

Upon receiving news of George's passing, Ross noted,
"As saddened as I am to learn of George's death, the mere mention of his name brings a smile to my face, knowing how his good humor and wonderfully creative imagination entertained so many of us for so many years."

Floyd was pre-deceased by his wife, Miriam; and is survived by two daughters, two granddaughters and six great-grandchildren. The family asks that those interested in making donations in Floyd's memory contribute to the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the Humane Society of the United States.

CQ readers are invited to submit reminiscences of Scratchi for a tribute in an upcoming issue of the magazine. A special e-mail address has been set up at scratchi@cq-amateur-radio.com.

Our thanks to PW editor Rob Mannion, G3XFD for alerting us to this item