Radio Amateur missing for 25 years re-united with friend

It all started when Geoff, VK2KPK, in Australia spotted the e-mail address of Mike Bosch, ZS2FM, on their VK-VHF NET.

VK2KPK e-mailed ZS2FM on Monday asking for his help to locate a lost amateur friend, Arthur White, who moved to the RSA many years ago.

On Tuesday morning ZS2FM started the search.

At 07:37 ZS2FM posted the topic MISSING HAMS and called for help.

At 07:56 John Kramer, ZS5J, replied with a call sign ZS6BZD for an Arthur White.

At 09:29 Rassie Erasmus, ZS1YT, supplied two telephone numbers.

At 10:20 ZS2FM established contact with an Arthur White, ZS6BZD, in Nigel.

Now came the 64 thousand dollar question,
"Have you ever lived in Oman?"
The answer, "Yes and I know Geoff and Mary!"

Bingo, it took just three hours to trace an amateur who was missing for 25 years!

Geoff, VK2KPK, (ex-A4XIY) and Arthur, ZS6BZD, (ex-A4XIH) were amateur friends in Oman, until Arthur moved to South Africa and Geoff returned to Australia. They lost complete contact with each other even though Geoff made many attempts to find Arthur in South Africa.

ZS2FM has e-mailed the new address and telephone numbers of ZS6BZD to VK2KPK and is now awaiting a reply.

Kevin, ZS6KWD summed it up very well with this comment: "Hey guys that is awesome.. that is what amateur radio is all about.. well done Mike, John and Rassie!"