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AMSAT-UK

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Karl Meinzer DJ4ZC made DARC honorary member

Posted: 13 Nov 2021 02:52 PM PST https://amsat-uk.org/2021/11/13/karl-meinzer-dj4zc-made-darc-honorary-member/

Prof. Dr. Karl Meinzer DJ4ZC circa 1984 Credit AMSAT-DL

Former AMSAT-DL President Prof. Dr. Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, who was first
licensed in 1957 aged 17, has been named a new DARC honorary member. He was awarded the AMSAT-UK G3AAJ Trophy in 2000.

A translation of the DARC post reads:

This was announced by DARC chairman Christian Entsfellner, DL3MBG, at the virtual conference of the amateur council in replacement of the canceled general meeting on November 13th. Meinzer developed an enthusiasm for
amateur radio at a young age. At the age of 17 he obtained his amateur
radio license in 1957.

He passed the Abitur [educational qualification] along with a degree in
physics and graduated with a doctorate. He spent his professional life at
the University of Marburg, especially in the development laboratory for electronics until his retirement in 2005. The rooms of the ZEL were also
the headquarters of the AMSAT-DL. Numerous OSCAR satellites were created in
the laboratories in Marburg: AO-10, AO-13, AO-21, AO-40. Phase 3E is de
facto finished, but is still waiting for a suitable start. A special
operating system works in all satellites built by AMSAT-DL, on which
Meinzer played a key role.

Meinzer doesn’t skimp on sharing his expertise and so he is still in close contact with the board of AMSAT-DL today. It is not surprising that DJ4ZC
was one of the first radio amateurs to work on QO-100.

In addition, Prof. Dr. Karl Meinzer carried out further technical radio
tests. He was obsessed with testing whether radio signals could be
reflected off the planet Venus. In fact, he succeeded in doing this with 5
kW at 2.4 GHz, including a water-cooled magnetron. He had a special permit
from the Federal Network Agency [BNetzA] specifically for these experiments.

But even in earlier years he achieved amazing things: In 1964 he set a
course record of 70 cm between his home town of Iserlohn and Switzerland.
And even then he was QRV on 433 MHz EME and contacted Puerto Rico. He is
one of the few old-timers who keeps pace with modern technology, explains Christian Entsfellner, DL3MBG.

There are only three Keplerian laws, everything can be done in them, said Meinzer once, according to DL3MBG. Unfortunately, he is reluctant to
present his skills, but the AMSAT board always likes to refer to his
expertise, said the DARC chairman, who later wishes him a happy 82nd
birthday.

“The DARC has unanimously decided to award you honorary membership for your services. I am happy to welcome you as a new honorary member, ” concluded DL3MBG.

DJ4ZC expressed his thanks. “My life has always been shaped by amateur
radio. Some of the services were only made possible by other people, ”explains Meinzer. “I hope to continue to contribute something for amateur radio and DARC in the future.

Unfortunately, communication behavior in society has changed. So its a challenge for the DARC. However, I have the hope that technology will gain
more importance again. Ultimately, amateur radio has to prove that it is
useful for society,” said Prof. Dr. Meinzer in conclusion.

Source DARC https://darc.de/

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