" It was shocking to discover that Tom passed away. He spend some time here
in Puerto Rico were he headed Allen's Group/Antenna Specialist factory in
the city of Fajardo.
Tom was one of my inspirational amateurs that made the difference in me
becoming interested in radio. "
Thank You
- Jose O. Diaz - WP4-BKJ
" I met Tom in the late 1990's on a professional basis, looking for a no nonsense RFengineer to help with a project. Tom not only fulfilled that role, but he became a friend to me and then my family.Tom was a consummate house keeper, great cook, the quintessential Ham operator, excellent RF engineer and not only frequently the life of the party, because he was such a funny guy, but the kind of neighbor and friend who would loan you his lawn equipment, even help you do the work, take you fishing on his boat and invite over for a classic dinner , and then top that off with his ability to charm you to comfort, making you feel at home.
Knowing him as a RF engineer, HAM operator, boat captain and fisherman, cook and host, among his many talents, perhaps his best quality and my personal favorite, was his friendship.
He will be missed in many ways to many people, all of us better off for having known him. On behalf of my family, friends and associates, I offer him prayers of hope on joy on his journey into the next realm. "
- Bruce Forbes , Nashville Tenn.
" I first became aware of Tom via amateur radio in the early 60's. Tom was one of the early pioneers of amateur VHF single side band and ionospheric scatter. When others were content to make contacts across town, Tom was working on 1100 mile "scatter" paths. I lived in Connecticut then, and was always amazed at how consistent Tom's signals were in New England. It was no accident. He was a very capable technologist. It was my pleasure to hear him so often on those scatter paths! It seemed we contacted each other almost every night back then! I will miss his presence on the airwaves. 73 Tom"
- David Olean K1WHS (Lebanon, ME)
"Tom and I met on 6-meters back in the 1960'ss, and him and I were about the only ones that ran cw on 6-meters for vhf contest, he will be missed. "
- Dwaine Modock WA8MEM/K8ME (North Royalton, OH)
" As with many of us operating the 6 meter amateur band Tom was one of the very first operators I worked out of my area as a young ham operator in Loveland Ohio back in 1969. Talking to someone across the state in those days was indeed a feat and a thrill for me. Over the years I've talked with Tom probably a hundred times each and every contact a pleasure. We've debated the science of radio antenna theory and applications on many occasions. His spirit,wisdom and "on air" wit will be sorely missed. "rest well my friend" "
- M. D. Archer, Radio Station W8IF (Tipp City, OH)
" Tom Baker, K8MMM. I got to know Tom in the early 1960's on 6 Meters. I lived in Indiana at the time and he aways had the strongest signal out of Ohio. During the 60's I made several trips to Cleveland to visit Tom, his family and his 6 meter station. He took me to Bird Electronic back then to view their plant. I met his mother and worked her on 6 meters many times. Back in 1965 Tom and Dave, K8WW, then K8UQA visited me in Connersville, Indiana. I got back on 6 meters in Florida after being off of 6 meters for over 30 years. One of the first stations I worked was Tom on meteor scatter! I will miss him. "
" Tom, keep the meteors falling from above. I know you are up there "
- 73, W9DR ex K9DZK Dave Ridge (Punta Gorda, FL)
" From Havana , Cuba...
To the family of my great amigo Tom, that shared with me so many nice radio related moments , when we enjoyed our hobby together in peace and friendship. We never met in person but had many, many radio contacts that made us very nice friends . Goodbye K8MMM "
- Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich CO2KK (Havana Cuba)
"I first met Tom in 1962 when he lived on Caves Road in Novelty, Ohio. I was K8UQA and lived in Seven Hills, Ohio on a hill south of Cleveland.
We were both on 6 meter AM and spent many hours working stations all over the map together.
We were both members of the Cleveland 50 MHZ DX Club and spent many hours working on the club station WA8BCA in Brecksville, Ohio."
Tom was a good friend and he will be missed
73 K8MMM de K8WW
- David Vore (Amherst, OH)
" I met Tom @ 1963 (when I was 11), and he has been a friend and mentor ever since. He inspired me to many achievements starting with ham radio....building antennas and amplifiers, but also including a wide range of activities from golf and tennis to drag racing, and watching the Cleveland Browns with large antennas pointed at Erie for the home games. I spent many days and nights at Tom's house in Novelty, and was treated like family by his Mom and Dad...including many home cooked meals. Tom was generally the first person I talked to with a new radio or antenna or mobile. Tom & I operated in many, many VHF and HF contests over the years and generally finished number 1 or 2. Tom, achieved the top single op score in the U.S. operating from my station in the 1972 CQ WW DX contest with over 1600 contacts in over 200 countries in a 24 hour period! After moving to Florida, I remember the first time I put up a tower in 1984...... I called Tom on the phone to tell him that the tower was up and ready for a test. He said, I have been listening to you tune up for the last 20 minutes! We then had our first scatter 6M qso...with S3-5 solid residual signals over 700 miles...since then we have had thousands of similar qso's to the amazement of locals trying to work across town. Tom still holds at least one 6 meter worldwide DX record, and is regarded as one of the top 6 meter operators of all time. I am still using one of Tom's 6 meter amplifiers that he built in the 1960's.
K8MMM. and his great signal, genuine friendship, and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed. Lee - KZ4RR/WA8LRE "
- Lee Kermode (Jacksonville, FL)
" I am thinking it has been about 35 years or so that I have known Tom. I first met him when he was working at A/S in Cleveland, when I was working for the City of East Cleveland doing the two-way radio servicing. Marv Grossman and Al Dolgosh were the ones who introduced us.
The last time I talked with Tom was on 146.52 when he and Darren were traveling back and forth to PA via I-90.
The one big story (rumor) that we always heard was that he was responsible for triggering some sort of start-up proceedure at the NIKE Site in Bratenahl while running "Some Power" on 6 meters. I believe that was back in the 1950's or early 60's. We all got a chuckle out of that!
RIP ol' friend, say "HI" to Elsie for us. "
- Frank M "Fritz" Hemrich K8WLF (CONCORD TWP, OH)
" I only met Tom a few times at hamfests but will always remember his rock crushing "K 8 Mary Mary Mary" on six meters. A dedicated ham and great operator. Rest In Peace Tom.
Very 73 from Russ K2TXB "
- Russell Pillsbury K2TXB (Edgewater Park, NJ)