LU7XP, a legend of the end of the world

Jorge F. Vrsalovich LU7XP - SK

Son of Croatian immigrants, born in his dear Ushuaia and today (12/10/02), "the teacher" Jorge F. Vrsalovich LU7XP, tired to look for Mount Athos, the only DX that it needed yet in CW, chose to be united to the group of Tony LUÄQ, thinking that there he will have better luck with the good reception that has the Lord by those places.

Surely that we will not find consolation by this circumstance, but any doubt does not fit to us that there in the "Cafeteria" with Tony, Salvador, Luciano and the rest of the group, will be planning some DX operation from some distant and little cloud and taking advantage of all the available space to build a good 160m antenna.

It happens today, few days after turning 74 years of age, like conclusion of a heart attack for which it was not possible to find a solution.

We their students, friends and companions of their last 25 years, will remain with the best one of the memories although it will be difficult to find words to explain and to understand because no longer he will be next to us to joint with us and to share the feelings by the radio and the Morse code.

English Radio and Internet GACW MSG

Our old friend Jorge passed away yesterday, to after to severe heart problem.

Sure, we will miss the southern DXer in our Country, but we will always to remember the lessons Jorge gave U.S. in every make a draft of his life.

Jorge was 74 years old, and was on in every pounds up with his old vertical, and to very nice Seth up, but full of patience to work that "hard one".

Honest, true, to real "whole" guy, was only waiting for his Mount Athos CW contact....

Our condolences to his lovely and very kind wife Mary, and we plows sure Jorge will RIP.
Raul M.Díaz LU6EF and Alberto Or Silva LU1DZ

NOTICE: Mary said many thanks to all the condolence messagges.

Jorge LU7XP, a legend of the end of the world

November of 1979 ran when I knew this personage of the Island of Tierra del Fuego personally. Although we had maintained numerous QSOs doing plans for our first DX expedition, was then when lowering of the Elecktra airplane of Navy next to Raul, LU6EF and Juan, LU1AF, I had the first encounter with Jorge F. Vrsalovic, LU7XP, that was hoping to us to make specific our first trip to Staten Island.

It could describe it by its numerous profits like DXman fan, but I believe that if therefore did it, it would need the spirit who has mobilized it in all his actions. From all ways it was to me difficult to order all these pleasing memories that come me to the mind and because not to review a little its personal history and some of its profits from Ushuaia, the southermost city of the world.

His parents Croatian immigrants, his father Mate and Nikoleta mother of the Island of Selca-Brac in Dalmacia were part of that current of immigrants of that origin who today can be as much in our country as in the south of Chile. It was born the 8 of October of 1928, he is married with Maria Concepción Giacchi and her house is easily identifiable by its towers and antennas and because it is in a small hill of the slope of the mountain range in the city and very close to the main Catholic Church.

Ushuaia is in the Tierra del Fuego Island - IOTA SA008, CCIA ARXP1 - separated of the continent by the Straith of Magellan. The Western part of the island belongs to Chile whereas the Estern sector is Argentine and Ushuaia is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego Province, Antartic and Islands of the South Atlantic, between which are the Malvinas (Falklands) Islands. It was founded on 1884 in the coasts of the channel of Beagle and on the foot of the Martiales mounts. A tourist city with 40,000 inhabitants, with an excellent international airport that already has received Jumbo airplanes 747 and also Concord visits. The natural life is very rich with a variable climate with temperatures average of 10 Cs in summer and 0 C in winter.

Jorge shows very proud his 325 countries of the DXCC confirmed in CW. With his "Argentine Telegraphic Key", constructed in bronze on wood base, that stands out in its position of operation, also he demonstrates his more than 100 countries confirmed in 9 bands. Also he claim with pride to have been the first amateur station installed in Ushuaia, the first Yagi-Uda antenna installed in 1956 and to be the actor of the first QSO in 6 meters from the place. He is the GACW #7 and at the moment one of its coordinators, honorary partner of the Rado Ushuaia Club and recently we were witness from how it received the medal of the Radio Club Argentino by its 50 years of radio. In the entrance hall to the house also it keeps a map where it registers its innumerable trips by the five continents.

I must confess that when it takes contact with for the first time that late from 1979, did not reach to understand its attitudes and it did not justify its permanent anxiety either to finish the things quickly. With time I discovered a wonderful being, one of those novels personages. Thus it was that I decided to make it my friend, is truth, I seted out to adopt it as friend were not thing that was lost to me. It is that, despite its obstinate attitudes of great boy, its great shared in common heart finishes catching it to one. I believe that it is for that reason that the Nikoleta Residence, as the flame to its house in honor to its mother, is visited permanently, without counting the ceremony to take you after the 17.00 hours when it is possible to find to his friends taking pleasing moments of conversation on the radio, aviation, the town, his old inhabitants, etc.

Jorge and the our common friend Martín J. Lawrence, LU4XS, teach me the love and respect to those latitudes. With veneration I almost visit them permanently because I find in these magnificent "fueguinos" pioneers the true spirit of the friendship and the reason of the life. Jorge and Martín are two close friends, so does not matter where they are, in the island, in Europe, in China or in Kuala Lumpur, they communicate by radio or telephone daily to one hour determined to greet themselves and to know his respective states of health. I also have wanted to share as much solidarity and can indicate with pride that I have traveled 3000 km that separate to me, to share a dish and pleasing moments with these friends, returning on the following day.

The immense passion that feels Jorge by his land, has mobilized it to organize with the GACW three expeditions to the legendary Staten Island. It could not be of another way, a legend personage in a legend island. Thus I had the immense satisfaction to accompany it during first in 1979 and third but recently when it was happened to him that we had to deliver that tremendous task to celebrate the 20 years of the GACW.

Also by its direct intervention I knew another friend, Luis Fontana, Lieutenant Colonel of Antarctic, founding of Base San Martín and Secretary of the National Antarctic Management by many years. Thanks to its interest that we had the luck and great honor to represent our country in the repeated Antarctic expeditions of the GACW.

The US writter Natalie Prosser de Goodall indicates in its book Tierra del Fuego (1979)... "One of the forces but important in the life of the field in the island - specially in the Beagle channel, where there are no ways - he is the radio ham. The fans speak all the days between the isolated places and Ushuaia and Rio Grande. The men and women of the "Coast Net" are always ready to help and to support of any type. They have saved several lives of hurt people, requesting aid. They give local weather datas and sometimes they help them to enter Ushuaia the very bad days " . Indeed he has been Jorge, faithful to his shared in common principles, creator and one of but the active participants of this true brotherhood also contributing with the disinterested building many of the AM transmitters. If somebody visit its radio shack will be able to see one of which it conserves as memory and even it showed with secret satisfaction.

It could to continue describing many anecdotes that tells like protagonist, her childhood in the Ushuaia of principles of century with the near military prison or the hard live on their youth taking care of of the ewes in the Redonda island, the meetings of Christmas and the illuminated tree in their hill, the wine of the evenning with Julian, LU3XQ, I wanted to add only that Jorge, as it likes that they call it, is an example for my and whom it loved to be able to imitate its espontanea generosity, to protect and to perpetuate this beautiful human spirit who it characterizes like a legend being.

Alberto Or Silva, LU1DZ

Fotografias:

LU7XP in its radio station.

Jorge repairing a cable during the expedition to L20XSI.

View of the Residence Doña Nikoleta as opposed to bahia of Ushuaia.

Messages - Messagges

Mary thanks for all the messages of condolencia

She is for announcing the sad news that our great friend Jorge, LU7XP, I leave us yesterday for always.

Surely, many of You you habran it sometimes contacted, and also they habran it oido in innumerable occasions treating to break pounds-up to work a "dificil little figure".

Jorge tapeworm 74 years, and sufrio a very serious problem in its heart, which I cause its decease.

He was complete, exact, sincere, affectionate, generous a man, and it gave to many lessons and examples us of like tolerating to us in our lives.

Our sincere condolencias for their wife go Mary, a charming woman.

And perhaps already Jorge has put a Hertz alla, cerquita of the Gentleman, to be able to follow oyendonos.

73 of Alberto/LU1DZ Raul/LU6EF Coordinating ones GACW

- Me one to the pain all the colleagues of the GACW before the trip, for my unexpected one, of one of the pillars of the group that always we will remember like example to continue battling before all the adversities after the greatness of our modality. A brotherly hug for all of Juan Carlos CX7CC, member 353.

- Hola Alberto, todavia no lo puedo asimilar, la muerte de Jorge me parecio algo tan innecesario, algo que se podria haber evitado, por supuesto que esto lo estoy diciendo desde mi ignorancia medica, pero con una bronca terrible, porque Jorge tenia mucha fuerza y no se merecia esto, realmente estoy muy molesto. En este momento siento que quedaron muchas cosas por saber de el. Por favor dele mis condolencias a Raul y al resto de los muchachos

LU6XQ Alberto Mercuri

- Dear friends, Very sad news on Jorge ! Please extend to his family all our sympathetic words.  

Regards, Gianni I1HYW

- Alberto/Raul, I’m very sorry to hear that Jorge passed away. Just recently he sent me a mail that he had answered my QSL card. I will remember his as the best know ham from that southern tip of your continent.

My sympathy goes with his family.

Regards, Gerben Menting PA5NT

- Trato de entender el dolor de la familia , amigos y demás de Don Jorge, adhiero al mismo, hasta siempre Jorge.-

LW5DQ Ram

Raul, Sri to hear about Jorge's passing.  Hope you are doing ok.

73, George I. Wagner, K5KG

Hello !

Sad news... Will you please relay our regards to his family and we will pry for him.

73 de Maurice F6IIE - UFT

No me imagine que al abrir este mensaje me encontraria con esta noticia. No hay palabras para estas ocaciones, solo lindos recuerdos de un grande de la Radioaficion Argentina. Mis condolencias para su familia.

Luis Galina LU7HHE

Estimados amigos del GACW, lo siento mucho por el fallecimiento de Jorge, una de las columnas del GACW.

Yo lo contacté una vez como LU7XP/100 el 27-12-1984 y tengo su QSL especial. Comparticipo la dipartida con todos sus familiares y con los amigos y colegas del GACW.

Un saludo a todos por parte de Flaviano I2MOV - GACW 487

We have lost one of the great DX'ers. Please pass my deepest
sympathy to his Mary and family.

Best Regard,  Larry K4WLS in NC

I am sorry to hear about the passing of LU7XP my condolences to his family  

73, lew W2BIE

Please pass my condolence to the Vrsalovic family !!!

 Senor Jorge been one of my best 'Tierra del Fuego' frend for the last 20 years in my 28y.  ham-radio life ,....... 

LU7XP will be remembered as one of strongest one in all of my pile-up's I ever have; from my home Z32ZM or  from YT1AD in contest's !!!

Vy sorry to hear that another YU-born HAM is away from all of us.

Desde aqui los acompaño en el recuerdo de Jorge.  

Carlos Wenzel IK2YRA (ex LU6EON, LU1CJY, LU4AE

I'm so sorry of what happened to our QSO brod. Please QSP my condelence to the family. Hoping, He well be happy where he is now . best 73...  

Hermie/KH0HE Saipan

Dear  friends, I visited Tierra del Fuego  7 and 8/10/ 2002  with  Rasa YU1RL.

On my  arriving  on airport  was   LU2XT, LU8XP  and Jorge-Jura Vrsalovic  LU7XP.

Nice diner  in club  LU8XW,  again with  LU7XP. 7.10 at  17,00 I  switch on  his Radio  and it was  last operating  from Jorge  QTH. Next morning LU8XP, YU1RL  and YT1AD  visited hospital in Ushuaia.

We visted also his wife  Mary  and  we hope that Jorge will be  OK!?

This  is  life!! - LU7XP  we will miss you very  much.

My condolences  to  Mary  and all amateurs in Argentina LU7XP started his activity  1950.

PUPI  LU8XP  pse   QSP,

Hrane,  YT1AD

I am sorry to hear the sad news about Jorge, and thank you for letting me know.

73, Peter G3XJS

15/10/02 - El Sr. Jefe de la Seccion Radioaficionados de la CNC Dn. Luis Calabrese, hace presente sus condolencias y alienta a los miembros del GACW a seguir en el camino marcado por Jorge.

Hoy martes con mucho pesar leo esta noticia.

Lo unico que me llevo de el, es la imagen que me quedó cuando fuí a su casa acompañado por Julián frente a las costas del canal de Beagle, yo no lo conocía personalmente, de entrada me pareció un señor serio, con cara de as de pocker, cuando llegamos estaba cortando el pasto de su jardín, dejó de hacer su tarea y con una gran amabilidad no invitó a tomar un té con budín, hablamos de lo que siempre charlamos los radioaficionados, terminamos de toamr el té y nos despedimos.

Esta es la imagen que tengo grabada hoy de Jorge, y que guardo de él, y creo que nunca se me olvidará.

Estimado amigo, te ganaste el cielo...

Disculpen, pero todo lo que se pueda escribir por él no alcanza...

Carlos,LU2CRM......

WE ALL PRAY FOR HIS REST IN PEACE WITH THE LORD ALMIGHTY  PSE CONVEY OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY.
DE ARASU  VU2UR.

...Realmente sorprendido y dolido, les mando mi pésame, sabiendo la relación personal que los unió a Jorge. Seguramente, hay que aceptar las reglas de la vida aunque algunas veces cueste demasiado. La vida continúa de todas maneras y habrá que seguir luchándo. Si contactan con la esposa de Jorge, por favor hagan llegar mi mas sentido pésame.

161 de Tito LU7EE

16 October 2002 - Dear Mr Diaz, LU6EF - I acknowledge receipt and thank you for your recent letter informing us that regretfully, Mr J F Vrsalovich, LU7XP, passed away.

We are sorry to lose a valued member of the RSGB and would like to offer our sincere condolences to you and the late Mr Vrsalovich s family at this difficult time. We have amended our records accordingly and will add Mr Vrsalovich s name to our listings in the Silent keys. Yours sincerely

Peter Kirby, G0TWW - RSGB General Manager

...luego de leer Apuntes de Radio... quedé admirado del trabajo hecho en el SUR por  Jorge, y sin conocerlo ya me lo imaginaba como un amigo... esta noticia que nos dan, me deja perplejo y sin palabras... una gran tristeza.. martín lu3ved

GACW:   Lamentablemente, ayer me entero de la partida de nuestro y querido amigo D. Jorge Vrsalovic.   Este joven-veterano radioaficionado de nuestra querida Isla de la Tierra del Fuego ha dejado un recuerdo imborrable y huellas bien marcadas en todo lo atinente a nuestra actividad.   Estoy totalmente seguro que no se levantará una sola voz en contra de su actividad y que, por el contrario, solo cosechará aplausos por el amor a la práctica de la Radioafición.   Hoy, tenemos en nuestras manos "APUNTES DE RADIO"; y eso servirá para que siempre este presente entre nosotros.   Lamento la irreparable pérdida.   Humberto Segovia (LU3XH)

Hola Amigos:  Con repecto a la perdidida de nuestro querido LU7XP que mas puedo decir, que ustedes no hallan sentido, ha dejado un espacio en blanco,por lo menos para mi, sin palabras la Misa y el Sepelio, paso todos los dias por su casa,y no lo puedo creer, los Sabados pasaba a buscar las estaciones que escuchaba y cafe por medio charlabamos de todo un poco, el Sabado 5 de Oct. me mostraba los Albunes y me comentaba las que le estaban faltando, me pidio que le consiguiera un par de Manager y riendose me dijo......pensar que uno se muere y todo el dinero, las horas de Radio van a parar a la basura... ¿porque a quien le puede interesar todo esto?.

Y bueno...por aqui seguimos.... pero lo extraño...un gran tipo.

Mario  LU3XX

GACW.

Deseo hacerles presente el profundo sentimiento que sentimos todos cuando en la Isla Leones nos enteramos del fallecimiento de don LU7XP.

Un abrazo,

Fabián, LU1AEE & AY1AEE