VK2AYD passed away 19-Sep-2023.

David was a president of the club many years ago and the real gentleman on the air. A keen C.W. contester, he loved his Kenwood TS870 back in the day and represented Australia at the World Radio Sport Team Championship probably about 20 years ago (~2003).

Has to be a CW operator … the microphone is wrapped in a plastic cover!

Amateur Radio New South Wales’ news broadcast for 24 September led with a tribute to David, from Henry VK2ZHE:

The Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club have advised of the passing of their friend and Club life member, David Pilley VKK2AYD, on Tuesday the 19th of September 2023. He was aged 93 years.

David was an avid CW operator and contester, well-known internationally. He also had UK and US callsigns, and a few years ago was recognised for 70 years of continuous membership of the RSGB. He was also a member of the ARRL and the WIA. As well as participating in many contests from Australia, David represented Australia at the World Radio Sport Team Championship in 1996 in San Francisco.

David had a distinguished naval career which took him from the UK to Malta and the USA, before settling in Australia for the latter part of his life. He was past president of Manly Warringah Radio Society when living in Sydney, joining the Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club when he moved to King Creek near Wauchope. He was a very active member of the club, holding many positions including President, Secretary and Repeater Chairman; and was awarded Life Membership, in 2015. At the recent 2023 Field Day, he was on the registration desk and had a couple of his projects in the Home Brew display. Since then, he gave presentations at Meetings on subjects such as the contribution of Radio Amateurs to the wartime work at Bletchley Park and the history of computing.

David had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of international affairs and role of communications and Amateur Radio throughout the decades. He made many contributions to Amateur Radio and will be sadly missed by the Amateur Radio Fraternity throughout the world.

Vale David Pilley VK2AYD.

Update Sat 5-Nov-2023

On Saturday Barry VK2BJ and Pat VK2PN went briefly to David’s celebration.  Many guests present, Oxley radio club and golf friends.  Had the pleasure to meet and talk to the younger daughter Amanda…. Definitely David genes.  Super nice lady.

Update, 28 November 2023: the November 2023 edition of “Oxtales”, the Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club’s newsletter has an article about David.