This is "Glenn's Friends" Amateur Radio Net meets on every day except Sunday at 7:45 AM on 14.342 +/- in memory of Glenn Thorpe. (Right now, in August 2003, we meet as soon after 7:30am as we can on 14.340, Ed.)

That is the opening preamble by K7BHI, Stan, founder and prime mover of this group of Amateur Radio Operators who come up at this time and frequency as Glenn WA6PJE did for so many years to contact and help his many sailing and radio friends.

Glenn was a founding member and Staff Commodore of the Santa Monica Yacht Club, and an active member of the California Yacht Club.

Glenn was an accomplished sailor and yachtsman of international stature. He had sailed with the best of them - in the late '40s he dominated the PC class later with his K38 he won Pacific Coast Championship, the LAYC around Catalina Race, Ist-in class to Ensenada 1955 he crewed on "Nam Sang" in the Transpac race, in '57 aboard "Y Como" to Acapuico, and later on "Y Como" to Honolulu. In 1958 Glenn moved into the dragon Class in quest for an Olympic medal. He finished 3rd in the trials in 1960 and in the next 4 years won 30 of the 32 class regattas and was among the favorites to represent the USA in 1964 Olympics. It wasn't to be. He was second behind Lowell North. Glenn cruised Baja, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska , the Windward Islands and brought "Andiamo" back from the Marquesas. By now his interest in amateur radio consumed all of his free time.

The GLENN THORPE TROPHY, SMYC's major ocean racing series trophy honors Glenn for his acknowledged "expertise and quiet enthusiasm in all facets of sailing -- a true Corinthian in every regard."

Dr. Glenn Thorpe was not only a competitive sailor, but was also a well known ham radio operator. Glenn was active on a number of marine nets covering the southern and western Pacific Ocean areas providing routine and urgent communication with cruising boaters. He was known as "The Shepherd of the Pacific." In addition, he organized amateur radio support of many major racing events, including service as Chief Communicator for Alpha Circle in the 1984 Olympic Games yachting regatta.

Another ongoing activity was helping dozens of hams install amateur radio gear in their cruising boats. He was always willing to give of his extensive experience and knowledge.

During the last months of his illness he would tell friends he always felt good when he was in his ham shack with his equipment- The Santa Monica Yacht Club radio station is called "The Commodore Glenn Thorpe, WA6FJE, Memorial Station."

I was fortunate to have had an "Eyeball" with Glenn and his wife Brownie, July 1982 when they were visiting their daughter Lois and family in Spokane.

written by his friend, Russ Faudree, KA7HVA