DX-Window No. 81S- weekly soft-copy-only newsletter by theDanish Shortwave Club International Tavleager 31 DK-2670 Greve, Denmark Editorial stop September 20, 1997 Editor-in-Chief: Finn Krone finn.krone@vip.cybercity.dk
Tribute to Arthur CushenWe received the very sad news that Arthur Cushen has passed away. I believe that most of you have been inspired by his evergreat efforts in our hobby, as was I. I met Arthur and Ralda here in Denmark during their Europe tour many years ago, where they attented a DSWCI local meeting. I shall always remember him. Rest in Peace.Messages to Ralda may be sent to Bryan Clark of NZ Radio DX League who will attend the funeral. E-mail: clarkb@sparc.org.nz Finn Krone DSWCI ----- I have been advised that The funeral is at 11.00am Tuesday. Arthur will sincerely be missed by all in the Radio World - DXer's and Broadcasters alike. Our Deepest sympathies and Condolences go to Ralda , his family and friends.
>From KIWI RADIO, Radio Sue and SOUNDWAVE FM. ------ ARTHUR CUSHEN MBE 1920-1997 The passing away of one of Radio's best known personalities comes with sadness for many of us who knew Arthur very closely. For some time Arthur had been ill and his advanced age drew him closer to his last days on this earth. Inevitable as it had to be, for those of us with a passionate love for our hobby, Arthur in many ways was the embodiment of what a very personal hobby meant, and his leaving removes a link with the pioneering days of SW Radio listening. As long as Arthur was in the hobby we felt that continuity even though those early days of radio were romantic tales from a bygone era. I remember my early days as a teenage dxer in the sixties when the name Arthur Cushen inspired awe in us. He was famous, and no DXer or SWL who called himself such failed to respect that name. The articles about Arthur were many, and his dx-tips floated through the ether to our small domestic radio sets through many dx-programmes. Radio Netherlands and DX Juke Box with Arthur's Pacific DX Report along with Sweden Calling DXers were the most valuable sources of DXinformation for us in Asia. His voice giving those dx-tips both hard to hear and new frequencies for better known stations always helped us. Those were the days when World Radio TV Handbooks were rare and being members of foreign dx-clubs was unthinkable due to their high cost. Arthur showed us that even though he lost his sight in the prime of his youth, life could be lived happily and meaningfully and with it came more and more dedication to his work on radio. His work during the second world war, picking up messages of prisoners of war and passing the information to the authorities to be passed on to families will stand as a memorial to him. And his work for the blind for which he received the order as a Member of the British Empire shows how he took his hobby beyond personal enjoyment to mean much to his community and it also brought joy to many others. He was a good man and in many ways showed that the respect we showed him, or the fame he enjoyed didn't distance him from us SWLs. My first letter to him as a relatively unknown dxer brought an immediate response and in the last 25 years he never failed to send us a Christmas greeting. Ralda and Arthur were special people and close friends of many all over the world. Last year when I asked Arthur to mail me a copy of his book "Radio Listeners Guide" he sent it to me personally autographed as a gift with a beautiful letter and a photograph with Ralda taken on their Golden Wedding Anniversary. When ever I wrote to Arthur and Ralda I felt that here was history of radio. A man who was there at the start, experienced those early days and I felt we too belonged to that era which hadn't ended because Arthur was still there. With him an era has suddenly ended. His life as a DXer Broadcaster and an SWL should inspire any one who has a love for radio. He was fortunate to experience and enjoy those fine times and even more to have a constant companion in his wife Ralda. We are sad for Ralda for whom it must be very difficult times. While extending our deepest sympathies to Ralda we also thank her for the fine example of love and to-getherness that she displayed and the great support she herself gave for us to receive the gift of Arthur in his fullness. Even as you grieve may you be surrounded with fond memories of a man who was respected and loved by friends all over the world. Arthur gave much to the world of radio, brought so much joy to us dxers. May his soul be raised in to the heavens that was so much a part of his daily life. Goodbye friend. May your soul rest in peace. A Friend.
G.Victor A. Goonetilleke 4S7VK
Tel: +941 614098 Fax:+941 614 291 e-mail: victorg@sri.lanka.net
---
The hobby of DXing has lost one of its leading personalities.
Arthur Cushen MBE passed away in Invercargill, New Zealand, on 19th September (UTC time).
He had in recent years been suffering from bone cancer, but with treatment
he was able to continue his DXing activities right up to a few days before
his death. He had been re-admitted to hospital last week and his devoted
wife, Ralda, had indicated that the outlook was grim.
Arthur was well known to listeners worldwide through his regular reports for
Radio Netherlands on DX Jukebox and later Media Network. Many listeners
probably never realised that Arthur was blind, a handicap that he overcame
through his determined spirit and the support of Ralda. He was also a
staunch supporter (and for nearly half a century an official distributor) of
the World Radio TV Handbook, and he was a close personal friend of the
former WRTH editor-in-chief Jens Frost. There will be a special tribute to
Arthur on the September 25th edition of Media Network.
Arthur's widow, Ralda, will be able to draw much comfort from the knowledge
that Arthur had so many friends around the world who will share her grief at
his passing. Anyone who wishes to send condolonces should write to Mrs.
Ralda Cushen, 212 Earn Street, Invercargill, New Zealand.
(WRTH)
----
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 1997 09:57:11 +1200
New Zealand's best known shortwave and DX radio enthusiast Arthur Cushen
passed away at 12.30am NZ Time this morning, Saturday 20 September in
Invercargill Hospital. His wife Ralda was with him at the end. Funeral
arrangements have yet to be finalised but may be on Tuesday morning 23
September - I plan to attend the funeral representing the present
administration committee of the NZ Radio DX League and will be happy to
pass on any messages to Ralda.
Bryan Clark
----
Attention all AM FM TV DX list members who knew Arthur Cushen
One of the Worlds leading AM and Shortwave DXers based in Invercargill ,
New Zealand .
A major contributor to DX radio programmes Worldwide and contributor to
many DX Club
magazines around the World .
I regret to advise you that Arthur Cushen died this morning (Saturday ) at
0030 NZST (Friday 1230 UTC)
Messages of condolence can be sent to
Ralda Cushen
Regards
-----
I do not know how to express myself at this moment of grieve.
I've
no word to express my sorrow and deep anguish. He is
FATHER TO all the present DXers who was in touch with him during
our teens. Always helped by his long letter to each individual.
It is a great shock to all of us here and we lost not only a
greatest DXer of the World but a good friend also.
In the late sixties when I started DXing I heard his name and got his
address from FEBC Radio International's SW Mailbag program. I
wrote a letter to him with great fear whether this great
man in this hobby will ever reply to me - a very new to dxing.
Immediately I got a long encouraging letter. After 2 months I
received a surprised packet containing an edition (1966) of
World Radio TV Handbook. That was the first time I saw WRTH and
even at that time I was not aware of such a book.
Since then I received every year Ralda and Arthur's new year
best wishes to me and my family. I used to correspond with him
2/3 times a year.
Personally his work, letters and radio news over the air helped
and inspired me much and despite several odds I continue in this
fascinating hobby. Still I kept all the letter and books he
sent me - specially the autographed edition of 'The world in my
Ears'.
The last letter I received from him on receipt of SOUTH ASIA RADIO
GUIDE(#10). He always encouraged me in publishing the book every
year.
While extending our deepest sympathies to Ralda we could not
think of how her life will be without Arthur.
We'll be missing his words on the world of radio in our ears.
-----
I only met Arthur Cushen once
at an EDXC Conference, but it says something
about the man that while my conversations with him remain very vivid in my
memory, I can't remember the exact year and location! Arthur made a bigger
impression on me than anything else at that year's Conference.
There are people whom you know from a distance, and when you meet them for
the first time you immediately feel at ease with them. Arthur was one of
those people, as is his widow Ralda, who is in our thoughts and prayers
because they were such a devoted couple.
Arthur has had achievements in the DX hobby which will never be equalled. He
was born in 1920, and grew up with radio. He heard and verified many
countries on shortwave that have long since disappeared. The electrically
quiet conditions in New Zealand permitted him to hear mediuwave signals from
literally half way round the world that would be just a dream here in Europe.
Arthur loved to talk about some of his best DX catches, but he never boasted
about them. He was physically quite small, and quietly spoken. Not the sort
to stand out in a crowd. I remember when he was presented to the audience at
the EDXC Conference and received a standing ovation. He had never
experienced anything like that before and there were tears in his eyes.
The pinnacle of Arthur's achievements must have been the receiving of the
MBE. It made me very proud too, because Arthur was a staunch supporter of
WRTH since 1949, a year or two after it was first published. Jens and Edith
Frost had the pleasure of visiting Arthur and Ralda following Jens'
retirement. I know that for Jens this was a wonderful experience, being in
the shack of probably the most famous SWL of all time.
There was only one Arthur Cushen. Those of us who had the privilege to meet
him and work with him have lost a friend, and DXing in general has lost a
great character. Everyone knew Arthur through his DX reports on Radio
Netherlands, a long association of which he was very proud.
You will hear Arthur's voice on Radio Netherlands again on September 25th.
During his visit to Europe, Jonathan Marks got him to reminisce about the
old days of DXing, and let the tape roll. What he said was fascinating, but
has never been aired. As a tribute to Arthur, extracts from that tape will
be used in the special feature we are preparing at the moment.
Andy Sennitt (The Netherlands)
------
Special Media Network Programme to pay tribute to Arthur on Sep 25
Some of you may already know, but just in case, there will be a special
Media Network Programme to pay tribute to Arthur and his long service to
Radio, and Radio Netherlands on the 25th Thursday, the usual Media Network
programme times and frequencies. It would be greatly appreciated if you
could listen.
Thanks.
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