Nate Brightman, K6OSC, has reluctantly resigned as the W6RO Wireless Room Manager aboard the Queen Mary museum ship, anchored in Long Beach, California, effective October 1. Brightman cited his recent illness and hospitalization and his advanced age — he turns 96 on October 9 — as reasons for his decision.

Brightman was the W6RO Wireless Room Manager for 34 years, plus another 10 years arranging for the GB5QM “Last Voyage” Amateur Radio operation and establishing W6RO, the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach club station.

In a farewell statement, Brightman said ham radio operations now aboard some 90 museum ships such as the Queen Mary have introduced Amateur Radio to millions of people. “These amateurs give the public direct personal information on how Amateur Radio benefits the public,” he said. “This means of introducing Amateur Radio to the public is the biggest publicity stunt ever for Amateur Radio, and we should be proud that it all started with W6RO!”

Succeeding Brightman is his second in comand, David Akins, N6HHR.