The passing of Elwood Downey, WB0OEW, hits home for this community more than most. Reading the words “…ended his own life on 29 January 2026” is a stark reminder of the countless lives lost every day, often silently.

Hamclock—his creation—continues to run in my radio shack. I’ll cherish every remaining day it ticks on. And when that clock finally runs out, it will stand as a quiet reminder of a silent key we lost, and of the human being behind the code.

If this loss reminds us of anything, let it be that no one carries the weight alone—whether we see it or not.

— 73