Shaun Dwyer wins 150-foot radio tower auction, raising funds for WCARG and honoring Dr. David Rathke’s ham radio legacy.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Shaun Dwyer, an extra-class amateur radio operator and aviation enthusiast, placed the winning $1,500 bid during the Walker County Amateur Radio Group’s silent auction for a 150-foot radio tower. The auction, which concluded at 11:59 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, honored the memory of Dr. David Rathke, a local dentist and early member of the club who passed away from brain cancer two years ago. The tower was presented to Mr. Dwyer on January 6, 2025.
A Legacy of Generosity
The tower was generously donated by Dr. Stephen Means of Means & Associates Optometry in memory of Dr. Rathke. Gary Joyce, a representative of the radio club, expressed gratitude for the donation during the presentation. “Dr. Means’ donation was a wonderful gesture for which our club is deeply grateful,” Joyce said.
Dr. Rathke was a beloved member of the community with a wide range of interests. “David was a Renaissance man,” said Dr. Means. “He was a delightful conversationalist, intelligent, curious, and always learning. I think he’s still learning now, in glory.”
Rathke’s passion for amateur radio was unmatched. Joyce shared, “David was one of the earliest members—and perhaps a founder—of this radio club back in 1990 or 1991. He even passed all three license levels, plus the 13-words-per-minute Morse code test, on the same day—a remarkable feat.”
Silent Auction Raises Funds
The silent auction ran for two weeks, with daily updates encouraging participation. According to Russ Cooper, vice president of the Walker County Amateur Radio Group, the process was designed to be fair and accessible to all.
Shaun Dwyer narrowly secured the winning bid just seconds before the midnight deadline. “I tried to send my bid earlier, but I forgot to include a comment in the email, so it didn’t go through,” Dwyer said. “I had to retype and resend it with about 20 seconds left.”
The funds raised will support the club’s community outreach efforts. “This is going right back to the club,” Dwyer said.
Connecting the Past with the Future
For Dwyer, a pilot and long-time radio enthusiast, the tower represents a personal connection to the global amateur radio community. “I’ve probably contacted 180 different countries,” Dwyer shared. “It’s great to talk to people all over the world. Once, I landed on Norfolk Island in Australia and had been talking to someone there on HF radio—it’s a small world.”
Dwyer plans to erect the tower soon at his property in the Willis area. “The base is ready; we’re just waiting for warmer weather,” he explained.
Honoring Dr. Rathke
The presentation also highlighted Dr. Rathke’s impact on the local ham radio community. Cooper emphasized the importance of the tower’s sale and Rathke’s legacy. “This tower represents a means by which the club can give back to the community in Dr. Rathke’s honor,” he said.
Shaun Dwyer’s new tower will stand as a testament to the connections fostered by amateur radio and the enduring legacy of Dr. David Rathke. “He was a ham’s ham,” Joyce concluded. “He always promoted the club and brought people together.”
About WCARG
The Walker County Amateur Radio Group (WCARG) exists to provide and improve a variety of amateur radio activities and interests in and around Huntsville, Texas.
WCARG is organized as Walker County Amateur Radio Group, Inc., a Texas non-profit corporation, and holds a 501(c)(3) tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service.
WCARG is an ARRL-affiliated club.
The group maintains and operates a VHF repeater in Huntsville and has access to ARES VHF and UHF repeaters.
Additionally, WCARG supports and is associated with Walker County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) during civil emergencies, including SKYWARN activations, as well as various community social activities.
For more information, visit WCARG.org.
