The following was submitted by Charlie - NN3V:
18 March 2013 marked a sad day for the IOOK. On that day, Luis Chartarifsky, XE1L, our first truly “International” and one of most energetic Vice Presidents died of a sudden heart attack.
Luis’ “assimilation” to the IOOK was colorful, and representative of the best camaraderie we try to practice.
It seems that starting in the early 1980s
our esteemed Hoss (WA5ZAI) made contact with Luis on the ham bands, and became
regular contacts. In 1985, while Hoss was preparing for Pentagon business
travel to
Luis asked Hoss to contact him when he
arrived in
The sumptuous home was beautiful, and Hoss had the pleasure of meeting Luis’ YL, as well as a group of Mexican hams who were also invited. Needless to say, operating the ham bands was a natural activity while there, and Hoss had the pleasure of doing so.
After several hours of enjoyable camaraderie and swapping of stories, both real as well as indicative of excellent lubricity, Hoss returned to his hotel and business duties, after mutual promises of continued contact.
Luis operated a 20 meter net on Sundays,
immediately after the IOOK early morning net on 14.215 MHz. Hoss
occasionally joined Luis’ net, and in doing so, invited Luis to visit when in
At the HamVention, we all had the
pleasure of meeting Luis. At that time, while he graced us with his
presence at the fabled
A man of exceptional humor and wonderful personality, Luis kept in continuous contact with IOOK VPs as he traveled the world. A phenomenal DXer, Luis was known all over the world. He encouraged ham operators to excel, have fun, and extend themselves in many pursuits.
In 1991 Luis met NN3V (Charlie) at the HamVention, and given Charlie’s South American background, they instantly established great camaraderie in their Spanish language. The IOOK Technology booth was well known as one of the HamVention booths where “se habla espanol” was well practiced.
In honor of their Latin roots, they threatened (promised?) to translate the IOOK song into Spanish, using the Latin process of “manana”. Well, it remains a project to be accomplished, and Charlie promises – in honor of Luis – that it will remain that way.
Over the years, Luis was an honored participant in the revelry and camaraderie of the HamVention booths.
One of the most appreciated things Luis
did was constantly check on the health status of ailing VPs, regardless of where
in the world he was located. Many is the IOOK VP who can remember Luis’
voice on a phone call saying something to the effect of “…I’m in
We’ve taken the liberty of compiling some information about Luis’ DX exploits from among the numerous memorials written for Luis by the worldwide ham and DX community. He was known the world over in popular as well as little known places.
In true DXer fashion, his last DXpedition
was to Clipperton
Island, operating as part of the TX5K DXpedition team. They departed by boat
from
Luis died doing what he liked best: participating in a fantastic DXpedition.
The IOOK will miss Luis. Truly a great Ham, a great man, and a great IOOK VP.
DE - ARRL
Noted
Contester and DXer Luis Chartarifsky, XE1L (SK)
03/22/2013
Noted
DXer Luis Chartarifsky, XE1L, of Mexico City, passed away Monday, March 18 after
a heart attack. An ARRL Life Member, Chartarifsky held Top of Honor Roll (Phone
and Mixed), with all 340 current entities confirmed. He also held DXCC for
Mixed, Phone, CW and RTTY, as well as 5-Band DXCC, and had a total of 354
entities, including deleted.
Chartarifsky
became interested in radio and listening to DX stations as a child. He was first
licensed in 1973 as XE0LCH and later as XE1LCH; in 1984, he became XE1L.
Chartarifsky was a member of the following major DXpeditions: TX5K (Clipperton
Island), Peter I (3Y0PI), Spratly (9M0M), Nepal (9N7MD), Western Sahara (S07L),
Mali (TZ6RM), Revillagigedo (XF4L), Easter Island (XR0Y), Juan Fernandez (XR0Z)
and Myanmar (XZ0A). He also operated in contests from various parts of Mexico,
the US (including the Dry Tortugas) and Venezuela. Chartarifsky, who loved to
travel, also operated from Ascension Island, Barbados, Jamaica, the Russian
Polar Station, Aruba and Israel, just to name a few.
Dave
Farnsworth, WJ2O, of McConnellsville, New York, was on the XR0Y and TX5K
DXpeditions with Chartarifsky. “I was very happy to learn that we would be
together again on Clipperton Island,” Farnsworth told the ARRL. “We were
chatting on the boat to the island just a few weeks ago about how he managed to
get the licenses from the Nepal government for the 9N7MD DXpedition. I said,
‘Luis, you have friends everywhere.’ He looked me in the eye and sternly
said, ‘No, I make friends!’ I knew at that time it was a quote that I’ll
remember for as long as I live.”
IARU
Region 2 Secretary Ramón Santoyo, XE1KK, remembered Chartarifsky fondly in an
online statement. “He was a Mexican ambassador of Amateur Radio, a good
friend, a radio amateur by heart who enjoyed the many corners of our great
hobby.”
“I
believe Luis was one of the most well-known and well-liked hams,” said ARRL
Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N. “He was a fine
operator and was active in most aspects of Amateur Radio. He has left us too
soon, but we have his QSLs on the wall to always remind us of his big laugh and
indomitable spirit.”
Chartarifsky
is survived by his wife Malvin and daughters Jackeline and Sharon. An online
condolence book has been established, and radio amateurs are
invited to post condolence messages that will be forwarded to Chartarifsky’s
family.
Many thanks to Charlie - NN3V for organizing his thoughts in Luis' memory.
R.I.P. Luis!
