Ralph McCullough

March 01, 1954~December 10, 2024

Ralph McCullough, 70, of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away on December 10th, 2024. He is survived by his wife Beverly McCullough of New Port Richey, Florida; son Christopher McCullough of New Port Richey, Florida; daughter Erin McCullough of Pennsylvania; son Jacob McCullough of New Port Richey, Florida; brother Loren McCullough (Sue) of Pennsylvania.; sister-in-law Deborah Albright Meyers (Barry) of Dunedin, Florida; as well as brother-in-law Rob Albright (Shelly) of Arizona. He also leaves his stepdaughter Susan Ramsey (Scott) of Charleroi, Pennsylvania; three stepgrandsons Tre Axton, Lance Ramsey, and Logan Ramsey; great-stepgrandson Dexter Axton of Pennsylvania; stepdaughter-in-law Dana Taper (Bob) (stepson–in-law passed away June 7th, 2024); step-granddaughters Allyson and Aubrie Taper of Pennsylvania; as well as several nieces and nephews in Arizona and Louisiana.

Born in Euclid, Ohio, he schooled in Donora, Pennsylvania. Ralph was a graduate of Indiana State University in Indiana, Pennsylvania, receiving his B.A. in Food Services. However, his love was for law enforcement and he became an officer with Carroll Township Police Department. Becoming a Corporal within the Department, he served Carroll Township for thirty-one years, acquiring recognition and multiple injuries on the job.

Ralph also was a long-time and well-respected member of the Carroll Township Fire Department as well as an EMT. He retired after the last injury on the P.D. in 2007 and moved from Monongahela to Somerset, Pennsylvania.Then, tiring of the cold weather, he and Bev (married Nov. 3, 2006) moved to Florida…where they remained.

Ralph was a Masonic Past Grand Master and a 25-year member of the Masonic Lodge in Monongahela,Pennsylvania. He strove to be the best Mason that he could and cherished his time with the Lodge. He was the very best prayer giver I ever knew.

Ralph was an avid HAM radio operator…a hobby he enjoyed since a teenager. Over the years, this hobby became more of an identity for Ralph. Many a night, I would hear him on the radio to people all over the world. Fascinating.

Ralph’s membership in the Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club contributed his service in just about every capacity you can imagine, including being past president and was currently serving as the club secretary. He was the current SkyWarn coordinator for Pasco County and served on ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) He also was a volunteer examiner with the Laurel Amateur Radio Club. Ralph was first licensed in 1973. He was an avid digital mode operator, enjoying PSK, RTTY, JT-65 and he loved FT-8. He also volunteered as the Ham Radio Emergency Operations Coordinator for Pasco County for several years.

Ralph loved being involved with helping people… which is good because we joked about how I “collected” people!! He never stopped trying to get me to get my Ham license, to no avail. He was the operator.

I want to thank all of you for your support for me and our families at this sad time. He was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed by all.We all have heavy hearts, and Ralph will certainly be missed but we can have comfort knowing that he is now with his Savior, Jesus and is no longer experiencing any pain or suffering.

A memorial will be held in Florida at a future date…and we will sprinkle Ralph’s ashes into the Gulf of Mexico as he wished. We will also have a memorial service in Pittsburgh at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Wounded Warriors, Tunnel to Towers, St. Judes Children’s Hospital, or The Shriners Hospital for Children.

WE LOVE YOU WA3YFQ … over and out …

ATTENTION

The Monday Night "FUSION NET" has been moved from the 146.670 repeater to the 145.350 repeater!

There will be NO Sky Warn Nets on WED. DEC.25 or WED. JAN. 1

Sunday Night Net

7:00pm 145.350MHzpl tone 146.2hz

As always, we are looking for volunteers to help set up and break down! If you can help, please contact Chuck Martin KA4CEM at chuck33@tampabay.rr.com

The GCARC is located in Pasco County, West Central Florida just Northwest of Tampa.

The “mission” of the club is to promote and expand the amateur radio hobby within the community. We also provide communications assistance to community events such as “RAP RIVER RUN” & “Tunnels to Towers” road races. Additionally, in partnership with PASCO County ARES help provide communication in times of emergencies and natural disasters.

The Club holds it’s membership meetings on the fourth Monday of every month at Millennium Academy 10005 Ridge Rd, New Port Richey. Everyone is welcome!!!

Through out the year the club hosts a variety of events, Summer & Winter Field Days, monthly luncheons, club picnics, annual club hamest, fox hunts, and more.

Please contact us with any suggestions, content (especially upcoming events), photos, or Ham related items of interest.

CLUB REPEATERS

New Port Richey

2 Meter, Yaesu System Fusion Capable

146.670/146.070 MHz

PL Tone – 146.2 Hz

2 Meter FM

145.350/144.750 MHz

PL Tone - 146.2 Hz

Land O Lakes

2 Meter, Yaesu System Fusion Capable

145.330/144.730 MHz

PL Tone – 146.2 Hz

Dade City Repeater

2 Meter, Yaesu System Fusion Capable

147.135/ 600 Hz Offset

PL Tone – 146.2 Hz

New Port Richey

2 Meter FM NOW, SYSTEM FUSION CAPABLE!

145.350/144.750 MHz

PL Tone - 146.2 Hz

Former WA4T Suncoast ARC

Would you like to become a licensed Amateur Ham Radio Operator?

For more than 100 years men and women , including many young persons, have made their amateur radio dreams come true by learning about amateur radio, and becoming a licensed operator. The term “Ham Radio,” a popular term for amateur radio, is derived from "ham" as an informal name for an amateur radio operator in the early 1900’s.

To become a licensed amateur radio operator you must pass an FCC test. Like other Amateur Radio Clubs the Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club assists those who wish to take the exams by holding exam sessions at the Millennium Academy, 10005 County Road 524 (Ridge Road), New Port Richey, FL. usually the second Saturday of each month. Check out our calendar of events or the about us page for testing info and studying assistance. The classes of licenses are as follows : Technician, General and Extra!

We are always ready to help anyone who wants to partake in this great hobby.