W9ZN – Silent Key

I saw a note yesterday that Mr. Bill Crane, W9ZN had died. Always a powerful CW signal from his home in Chicago, Illinois he might be best known outside the MidWest for his CW warm-up sessions using ‘Ben’s Best Bent Wire’ routine. I’ve listened to him pound brass many nights on 40 meters where his signal and unique fist attracted a crowd.

Dave, AA7EE used to listen to Bill from the West coast and wrote about it a decade ago.

Before Channel 9, Mr. Crane was a popular DJ in Chicago in the ‘60s and ‘70s He also served in the United States Navy.  He still wore that uniform to work every year on Veterans Day.

https://wgntv.com/news/celebrating-the-life-of-wgns-beloved-mr-crane/