Trail Seeker

Randal McCloy KC8VKZ, the miner from WV who survived the mining accident is also an amateur radio operator. At the callsign database it was reported that he had over ten thousand look ups already, it seems they turned the counter off by the time I checked in. It also seems that cards and money are now being sent his way, many of the other radio operators are sending him a QSL card with there get well wishes. A QSL card is a card someone sends to another radio operator to confirm the contact that was made on the air.

I am sure Randal hasn't ever talked with any of these operators who are sending him QSL cards or gifts, and in this case the QSL card is used as an identifier of the person who sending there hopes and prayers rather than a confirmation of any contact they made over the air.

The other thing I learned about Randal is that he lives in Philippi, WV. That is a special place for me, it was my fourth area I served in on my mission and I met my wife to be. There is a small private college there called Alderson-Broaddus. and my wife was in nursing school there. Keep in mind that Philippi is a small town of around 3100 people tucked away in the West Virginia hills, not a big place at all. My wife is actually from Cleveland and only going to college there.

It is nice to see the comrade that is found amongst amateur radio operators.

I also learnd that two of the miners who didn't make it were from Philippi also. Mining is a dirty and dangerous job.