DANNY WEIL VP2VB PAGE

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Danny Weil of San Antonio, TX was born January 14, 1918 in a suburb of London England, and died October 3, 2003, at age 85. He had suffered a stroke and had been living in an extended-care facility in San Antonio, Texas. Weil was descended from many generations of watchmakers and was apprenticed in the trade of watchmaking. Later he earned a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Navigation. His father, Jack Weil, was killed during World War II in the London Blitz. Danny joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 17 and in the 10 years he served, he was stationed in Ceylon, India, Norway and Stalingrad. Danny left England in 1954 in a boat he made by himself in order to travel the world alone after being inspired when he read the book "Kon Tiki" in 1947. In 1963, after 9 years, 3 boats and travels to the Atlantic, the Carribean and the Pacific Islands, Danny completed his around the world voyage. Needing a means of communication, he taught himself Morse Code, radio theory and obtained a British Amateur radio license. Sailing single handedly around the world was a trip he volunteered to undertake on behalf of radio "hams". His voyage was integral in setting up ham radio stations on remote islands and the expedition was monitored by over 100,000 amateur radio enthusiasts around the world. He is remembered by most "hams" as "the first DXpeditioner." Danny was known as an adventurer who had a dry sense of humor which was characteristic to the British but his heart was warm and his loyalty as a friend was unparalleled. He was preceded in death by his wife, Naomi Weil and his mother, Christine Eckels. Danny is survived by his close knit extended family of friends, Dan and Barbara Mclhany of Fair Oaks; Bonnie and Billy Henderson of San Antonio and all of the employees at Towne North Animal Hospital. The family invites you to leave a message or memory at http://www.porterloring.com/  by selecting Visitation and Services. Select "Sign Guestbook" at the bottom of the individual Memorial.
<via Maurizo Bertolino>

The DXploits of Weil and of Lloyd and Iris Colvin, W6KG and W6QL, are the subject of the book  YASME, The Danny Weil and Colvin Radio Expeditions,  by James D. Cain, K1TN. As Cain's book relates, among Weil's early ham radio acquaintances was Dick Spenceley, KV4AA--an Amateur Radio legend in his own right--who mentored Weil during his studies. It was Spenceley who also first appreciated the potential benefits for Amateur Radio if Weil could get on the air from various rare spots as he sailed the globe. Spenceley--who died in 1982--eventually secured the ham gear that Weil would use on the first YASME voyage, which began in 1955 and took him to the South Pacific. Weil personally described some of his adventures in his only QST article, "Yasme II to Aves Island," which appeared in the December 1958 issue. He operated from a tent on the beach as YV0AB. - Commissioned by the  YASME Foundation and published by ARRL, the book became available for the first time last spring at the International DX Convention in Visalia, California.
<quoted from ARRL Letter vol.22, Nr. 40>

THE DANNY WEIL VP2VB STORY, AS TOLD BY HIMSELF
(Exclusive Interview for QSL COLLECTION, Audio on Demand)

Recorded 22. December, 1998 RealAudio <Listen/Download> mp3 <Download> Dauer Duration The Danny Weil Story, hosted by OE1WHC 25 Min.

Danny Weil then (mid 50's) and 1998 (80th birthday)

LIST OF OPERATIONS, 1955-1963

On YASME I

With Dick Spencerly KV4AA and actress Deborah Kerr, St. Thomas, 1956 -- Yasme III

On YASME II

On YASME III

Unconfirmed

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