The Silverado Amateur Radio Society
Silverado Amateur Radio Society and Napa County has lost a Great Man. Ronald A. Rogers is a Silent Key.
Ronald A. Rogers, 82, was born in Vacaville and died at home in Napa on January 14th, 2023. He was married to his wife Morgan for 44 years.
He worked for PG&E, Ma Bell telephone, Napa County Communications, the Napa Sanitation District, BNSF Railroad and the Wine Train as a Locomotive Engineer.
He held an Amateur Extra Class license (Ham) with the call sign W6BIS.
He and Morgan enjoyed travel visiting all 50 states and over 40 countries and territories. Favorite places visited: London, Micronesia, Rabaul, New Zealand, and Alaska for many trips on the Alaskan Railroad with weeklong stays in Talkeetna.
He enjoyed building his own 7 1/2-gauge railroad around the yard. There were many parties with train rides for the kids and adults alike.
He built the W6CO repeater system for emergency communication and talking with his fellow Ham friends.
He was a member of Search and Rescue providing communication for the Sheriff’s Department.
He really enjoyed working with the Optimist Club modifying toys for those with special needs.
Member of SIRS #149.
Survived by his wife, Morgan, and sons, Alleyne from San Antonio and Richard from Flagstaff and his brother, Dale from San Diego.
And the pampered gorgeous dogs, Kensington, London and Victoria Elizabeth that will miss their belly rubs from him.
He will be buried at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon (because his wife is a Marine).
Private family services were held.
Donations in his memory may be made to Collabria Day Program in Napa or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Special thanks to Dr. Chandra Keebler, Kaiser Vallejo, for her excellent care, understanding and support.
Oh, how I will miss holding hands with him and his wonderful, often mischievous, smile.
Arrangements are under the direction of Treadway and Wigger Funeral Chapel.
Our Club
Napa County has some challenging geography for communications: a valley roughly 40 miles long, with one north-south mountain range on the west and two in the east, and northbound access challenged by Mount St Helena. The mountainous areas are forested, and our Mediterranean climate guarantees periodic risks of fire, flood, road-block, and power loss.
Amateur radio in its many forms has the diversity and independence to continue forwarding messages despite serious disruptions that can swamp or eliminate our everyday communications.
SARS was founded in Napa County in 1962. Its members come from all walks of life and share one common interest: maintaining the capability of amateur radio to enhance our community’s quality of life and security. We want to involve and educate our neighbors so they can join in helping this capability grow and become even more extensive. Our members purchase and maintain their own equipment, and most can operate “off the grid” whenever necessary, using a variety of forms of radio communication. Even in good times, members keep ready by pitching in with communications for county-wide charity events that involve cellphone-dead areas.
Ham radio is a fascinating hobby, with serious potential for doing public good. Come to a club meeting and check it out. Better still, consider becoming a member! You won’t believe how easy that is to do. No license is needed. (But we can help you get one if you so decide).
Ken W7CCN