Thank You, Bud Thompson, N0IA

The Winlink Development Team, including the Board members of the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, wish to recognize Bud Thompson, N0IA for his many years of continuous outstanding service and dedication to the Winlink system. Bud is both a friend and retiring Winlink Radio Message Server (RMS) operator and instructor, who has faithfully supported the Winlink system since the Mid-80's. Bud is finally hanging up the 24 x 7 operation, and moving from his current location to a “more suitable place to meet our current needs.”

Bud started with ApLink (Amtor/Pactor Link) well before the Windows or “Winlink” system was born. Back then, Bud and several others relayed VHF Packet messages from one local network area to another, thus extending the range of Amateur radio’s data messaging between great distances. Bud was one of the first volunteers to agree to scan several Ham bands to become available as a forwarding station. His previous Los Vegas, NV location was prime for an intermediate step between major metropolitan areas as well as between the US and other countries.

When the Internet became integrated into Winlink (or was it the other way around?), Bud continued his service to both the maritime and emergency communications Amateur communities, linking ham-to-ham and third-party traffic to the Internet, greatly expanding the scope of the Winlink service. In 1997, after Bud retired and moved to Florida, he was instrumental in assisting with the Florida VHF Packet network, into which he rightfully integrated Winlink as well. Bud was a prime station for the Amateur radio Maritime community, and has provided much between families who used his Winlink station to email family and friends, along with supplying critical weather information for the safety and well-being of those on the high seas.

Bud did not stop with just being a radio system operator for the Winlink system. He was instrumental in assisting with many demonstrations, presentations, and installations of those who discovered the benefits of the Winlink system. For example, Bud established a Winlink training Yahoo group, “Loading WL2K Users Programs,’ where he continuously ran a course for familiarization of the various aspects of the Winlink system. He recently turned this over to Bill Kuechler, N9ACQ.

Bud and his wife, Sally, have a FSBO website to sell their Lakeside/Waterfront home in E. Central Florida. He indicates this is "Arguably the best Ham Radio site in E. Central Florida." You can check it out at http://1131abadyct.com . (On the TAB "RADIO TOWER" his antenna farm is described and there is a killer photo of it.)

Thank you Bud Thompson for all you have done to promote and build Winlink over the years.

Most Sincerely,
The Winlink Development Team