About John, KD8AGO
A familiar face and voice on the bands.
John, KD8AGO, was a dedicated amateur radio operator, a devoted family man, and a lifelong outdoorsman from northwest Ohio. Those who knew him remember a warm, patient presence on the air — always ready with a welcome for newcomers and a kind word for anyone who checked in.
He worked for many years at the General Motors plant alongside his good friend and fellow amateur Bill, KC8YQL. It was the kind of friendship that moved seamlessly between the shop floor and the airwaves.
Off the radio, John was a passionate hunter. He spent many seasons in the field, and those outdoor experiences shaped the same patience and attentiveness that made him such a skilled operator. He was equally proud of the family he raised — they were central to everything he did.
In His Own Words
"Radio has been a hobby most of my adult life. I have met many great operators over the years and many have become good friends. I have had my amateur ticket for over a year now and just love it! Two meters FM and Echolink are fantastic. 440 FM and six meter sideband are my primary operating modes. I can be contacted on the local two meter repeater on 147.090 in N.W. Ohio, or Echolink node 215376 on that same machine. Link up Thursday night for our 8:00 PM Eastern (2000 Zulu) net — all are welcome. All the golden numbers to all. 73 – John KD8AGO" — John KD8AGO, from his QRZ page
On the Air – Frequencies & Modes
John operated across several modes and frequencies, but it was two meters FM and Echolink that brought him the most joy and the most connections. His Thursday night net became a gathering point for operators near and far.
| Repeater | 147.090 MHz (N.W. Ohio) |
|---|---|
| Echolink Node | 215376 |
| Primary Modes | 2m FM, 440 FM, 6m SSB, Echolink |
| Net Day & Time | Thursday, 8:00 PM Eastern (2000 UTC/Zulu) |
| Net Policy | All are welcome |
D-STAR Nets and Community
John was well known in the D-STAR community for his weekly nets. As net control, he brought structure, good humor, and genuine kindness to every session. Operators from across the region and beyond checked in regularly, knowing they would be heard, welcomed, and remembered by name.
His patience with first-time digital voice operators was legendary. Many hams made their first D-STAR QSO under John's guidance — a detail he took quiet pride in.
Family, Work, and the Outdoors
John's life beyond the radio was just as full. He spent the better part of his working years at the General Motors plant in northwest Ohio, a career that gave him both a livelihood and a community. His friendship with Bill, KC8YQL, started on the shop floor and carried over into amateur radio — a bond that speaks to the kind of man John was.
Hunting was a lifelong passion. The discipline, the early mornings, the patience required — those qualities carried straight into his operating style on the air. Most of all, John was a family man. He raised his family with the same steady reliability he brought to everything else in his life.
Links and References
This page is a personal tribute. All content is based on publicly available information and personal recollections shared by the amateur radio community. No copyright infringement intended.