Danny Weil, VP2VB: Watchmaker, Pilot, Yachtsman

A Danny Weil

Danny Weil (*14.01.1918, London - †03.10.2003, San Antonio, TX) Weil was born in a London subrurb as a descended from many generations of watchmakers and was apprenticed in the trade of watchmaking. Later he earned a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Navigation. His father, Jack Weil, was killed during World War II in the London Blitz. Danny joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 17 and in the 10 years he served, he was stationed in Ceylon, India, Norway and Stalingrad. After returning to London, Danny took over the family's shop but found little satisfactiuon in selling and repairing watches and clocks.
When, in 1947, he came across, by mere chance, a book written by the Norwegian Thor Heyerdal who had crossed the Pacific with his float Kon Tiki. Danny was inspired, but lacked the money to buy a boat of his own. Stil following his forbears into the trade of watch-making, he could not help nurturing a dream of solo-circumnavigating the globe. Luck struck again: Danny found the wreck of a sunken yacht. He recovered the 40ft-sailboat boat and spent many hours making it seaworthy again.
Work was finished in 1954, and in August Danny left England on his "YASME" in order to travel the world alone, "just so". Needing a means of communication, he had taught himself Morse Code and radio theory before setting out and "helped himself" to the call sign G7DW, withouth obtaining a license - consequently there was no G7DW/MM QSL. He carried on board an old British WWII tank transmitter and a war-surplus BC-348 receiver. In just 3-weeks, he successfully crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Antigua, BWI. In nearby St. Thomas (U.S.V.I.), he looked up some hams for help with his problematic radio equipment and was fortunate to befriend Dick Spencely, KV4AA, who was to become an integral part of the Danny Weil/YASME story.

01, 02 - The Precision Watch Co., Watchmaker and Jeweller - Danny Weil's shop in London
03 - Kon-Tiki. Six Men Cross the Pacific on a Raft", by Thor Heyerdahl. 1st English edition, 1950
04, 05 - YASME I

Thanks to Dick Spenceley, Danny starts a new career

Thanks to Dick Spencerley [01], Dannny starts a new carreer
Richard C. ("Dick") Spenceley, KV4AA, (1927-1982), one of the legendary personalities of amateur radio, was (1952-1957) DX-Editor of the "CQ" magazine and, most of all, an outstanding operator in St. Thomas, US Virgin islands. (Photo: ca. 1956) Upon learning of Danny's sailing plans, Dick suggested that he become a ham and operate his radio at the many different islands that he would encounter along his travels, as this would be a good way to remain in close contact with friends as well as be of great enjoyment for the DX community. With Dick's guidance, Danny passed the ham license exam in Tortola, BVI and was issued the callsign VP2VB.Dick was also able to secure support and donations from US equipment vendors and hams, providing Danny with a pair of Multi-Eimac AF-67 transmitters, an Eimac PMR-6A receiver, and a Hammerlund HQ-129X receiver. Designed for mobile operation, the Eimac equipment was a good "fit" for the YASME. The plan was for Danny to sail through the Panama Canal and operate from the many (then rare) DXCC Pacific island entities, and in January 1955, Danny set out for Panama. The YASME adventure was to become a trilogy, lasting nine-years and setting up ham radio stations on remote islands and the expedition was monitored by over 100,000 amateur radio enthusiasts around the world. He is remembered by most hams as "the first DXpeditioner".From 1955 to 1963, Danny was to sail three and lose two vessels: YASME, YASME II, and finally, YASME III. During this time, Spencely, KV4AA handled QSLs and helped form the YASME Foundation to provide funding for the operations.

06 - K4AAN - Dick Spenceley, 1938
07 - KV4AA - Sample of the first YASME Foundation Sponsor Cards
08 - VP2VB - The first station
09-11 - Cover of #1-3, YASME News, September-December 1959
12 - Logo, YASME Foundation

B Danny Weil on the high seas

First activities: Panama Canal Zone, KZ5, to Galapagos
"After three months in St. Thomas, Danny left on 1 August 1955, headed for the Panama Canal and points west. ... No log book exists for the trip from St. Thomas to the Canal Zone and it isn't clear if one was kept, but Danny said he made about 150 contacts. ... Docking in the harbour at Cristobal, Panama, in September, he was greeted by three Hams, KZ5EM, KZ5MN, and KZ5LB. ... Danny was the guest of Captain Dick Moran [err. i.e. Mann, Ed], KZ5MN. He was granted the call sign KZ5WD [sic! - Ed.], and while logs for this call do not exist, a number of DXers worked KZ5WD and received QSLs from Spenceley. Danny left the Canal Zone 8 October 1955."[02]
"Thanks to KZ5MN, Captain Dick Mann, my stay in the Canal Zone was made a happy one inasmuch as his car and home were made available to me twentyfour hours a day. ... Departure was made at noon, October 8th. with a favourable tide but with the wind dead against me. KZ5MN and KZ5EM were there in a friend's yacht to pilot me out through the channel.[03] - A QSL from KZ5MN for a QSO with G3GGO on 1st September 1955 ... was mailed from Fort Amador on 2nd September, and arrival stamped in the U.K. on 22nd September ... Round the edge of the card he had written: "Tried to tell you about Danny Weil of Bournemouth who is sailing round the world and staying with us til he gets ready to push on into the Pacific." [04]. - A VP2VB/PQSL, with the famous Bill Orr, W6SAI, from a position at sea South-West of the Galapagos, confirms a contact dated 7 November, 1955. Danny had just left the Canal Zone, and if a card from KZ5WD ever turns up, it could well be on a similar syle card.[05] -- On a card from October 1955 (?) Dick Spenceley writes to Robbie, VQ4ERR in Kenya: "Danny arrived Port Moresby Sreptember 16th. Nearly had disaster Sept 8 - LOST MAILSAIL & JIB - but OK now-! ... Pse concentrate on license for NICOBARS/VU5 he can get CoMORRO LKICENSE ON STRENGTH OF FO8AN ticket I guess." Abb 16

20 - Repairing the beam
21 - Docking at the Balboa Yacht Club, Panama Canal Zone
22 - In Gibraltar. Members of Captain Jaques-Ives Cousteau's crew repair the YASME prop, Danny repairs Couseau's chronometer

D Love, Marriage and Retirement

In July 1963, after 9 years, 3 boats and travels to the Atlantic, the Carribean and the Pacific Islands, Danny had indeed completed his around the world voyage. He sailed YASME III into Freeport, TX to complete his dream-journey. He "retired" from the sea and, with his wife, Naomi, a nurse whom he had met en route - "sailing back around half the world just to court and marry her - three things nobody else had done before." Yes, Danny was known as an adventurer who had a dry sense of humor which was characteristic to the British but his heart was warm and his loyalty as a friend was unparalleled.He was preceded in death by his wife, Naomi Weil and his mother, Christine Eckels. Danny is survived by his close knit extended family of friends, Dan and Barbara Mclhany of Fair Oaks; Bonnie and Billy Henderson of San Antonio and all of the employees at Towne North Animal Hospital.Danny Weil of San Antonio, TX was born January 14, 1918 in a suburb of London England, and died October 3, 2003, at age 85. He had suffered a stroke and had been living in an extended-care facility in San Antonio, Texas.

24 - YASME II
25 - YASME III
26, 27 - Marriage with Naomi Kay, Panama Canal Zone, 21 June, 1960
29 - Danny Weil, February 1988
30-32 - San Antonio, Texas, 1998, with his poodle Spunky and on his Hammond organ
33. 34 - Dannys Shop in San Antonio, Texas, "London Watch & Clock Co", situation 2020

Danny's Farewell Letter [06]
"...All of you have been very generous in your thoughts and faith in me. I will not betray this faith by making the wrong decisions at this time and I feel it is time to stop now. I know that you do not require my reasons for this decision but it makes me feel better to give my personal thoughts along this line. It is an impossible situation for me to carry on without Naomi; we have been a team in more ways than one and to carry on with the job feeling as I do is pointless and will only cause much unhappiness to us both. To proceed to the remaining rare spots left in the Pacific would be too costly to be covered by contributions we have been receiving. The distances involved, plus the risk, just don't make the effort worth it. YASME cannot be sold here nor would she bring even a fair price in Australia where prices are lower than in the USA. Therefore to realize enough to cover Foundation debts, eventual USA sale is the best bet. ... Hal's (K5LQ) offer of employment has been a factor in reaching my decision. I would be a liar to state differently. This is just one factor among many, but I have to consider the future of both Naomi and myself upon my return stateside.
Finally, while I hate the thought of giving up this life, facts have been facts and fooling oneself won't help one bit. It is a great pity that it has taken the fraternity so long to appreciate the Foundation's work and support it to the degree they are doing presently. I feel that it is right to quit now even if I didn't quite accomplish what I set out to do. There is a time when we all have to give up even though it hurts me far more than many can realize. Over the years we have all seen varying sets of circumstances which have basically changed my life. It was fine while it lasted, and I know that without your help none of it could ever have happened. My inadequate 'Thank you for everything' for your help and support."

36 - St. Thomas, Virgin Isl., 1956. Danny took part in the production of "The Proud and the Profane"
37 - With Dick Spenceley and actresss Deborah Kerr.
38 -With actor William Holden (l) and Dick Spenceley (r)
39 - Guest appearance at Groucho Marx's radio and TV Show
40-42 - Danny Weil with Brad A Beard, W5ADZ, June 1959
43,44 - Fotos with dedication to Brad A. Beard, W5ADZ, June1959
45 - Danny was RAF pilot, and flying was his great passion besides sailing. Here he is piloting a plane for the last time, during his U.S. promotion tour

Danny's self-biography
Pages 1-31 not yet available for publication
First chapter of a book project
Both published for the first time. © No reproduction without special permission

Typoscript of the biography, written by Danny Weil (in english) [PDF , 50.72 MB]

"The Cruise of the YASME", Fragment of a book project [PDF , 8.5 MB]

A rare document: Danny Weil, VP2VB, at 80 - his only interview
Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC, talked with Danny Weil, January 22, 1998; a recording made for Radio Austria International's weekly media broadcast "Intermedia"
© DokuFunk. No reproduction without special permission

Danny Weil at 80 [MP3 , 2.87 MB]

"YASME II to Aves Island" - in: QST, December 1958

"YASME II to Aves Island", QST Magazine, December 1958. [PDF , 1.1 MB]

YASME - The Danny Weil and Colvins Radio Expeditions by James D. Cain
Publisher: YASME Founation/ARRL, 2003, 203 pages - Bestellung/Order ARRL Shop

F VP2VB Danny Weil Memorial Expedition, March 2020

Anegada Island is the northern most of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a group of islands that form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. It lies approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of Virgin Gorda. Anegada is the only inhabited British Virgin Island formed from coral and limestone. While the other islands are mountainous, Anegada is flat and low. Its highest point is only about 28 feet (8.5 m) above sea level, earning it its name, which is the Spanish term for the flooded land, "tierra anegada". - Anegada Island NOT separate DXCC entity - it count as VP2V, and NOT separate IOTA - counts as British Virgin Islands Group - NA023
Meeting Danny Weil, VP2VB, was a rich experience
Digging into the past of the first multi-hopping DXpeditioner Danny Weil, VP2VB was another rich piece of history. Spending time in his home; Road Town of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, gave us a blend of history in its original setting. - Together with Austrian DocuFunk archives, headed by Paulina, OE1YPP and Wolf, OE1WHC, and meeting with Kenneth, VP2VK and George, VP2VQ and the local telecom authorities placed us straight back where it all once began. We have now collected most of the material. - After making almost 18K QSOs in the spirit of the original VP2VB callsign of the famous DXpeditioner Danny Weil and honoring his Yasme boat which originally sailed out of the British Virgin Islands, our group returned home yesterday happy and healthy from their temporary outpost of the Anegada Island, in spite of the troubled world of today.- The highlights were definitely meeting two of the (few) local hams in VP2V: Kenneth, VP2VK and George, VP2VQ. Out of almost 300 residents of Anegada our host on the island accidentally identified himself as 86- year old VP2VK. When the group blew up one of their 12VDC powers supplies, they found one at VP2VK, rusty and not used for decades but yet supplying the proper voltage. And to our total surprise we also discovered in his garage his more recent equipment, in the form of a brand new, still unused Stepper 3EL beam.
In Tortola, BVI our group had met George, VP2VQ working hard to rebuild his house and the great famous station which were both destroyed in 2017 by the hurricane Irma.. Due to the corona virus risk our meeting was held on both sides of the heavy gates of his property. The VP2VB team prayed for strength for George to restore his station but also to make a full recovery on his recent surgery. Signs of recovery are promising as we saw a new Cushcraft R9 antenna already standing as a landmark at his location. - A totally magical event was experienced in Puerto Rico when the non-USA members of the VP2VB DXpedition were to enter USA in their way home to Europe, with their cancelled visas due to the recent presidential decree. The immigration staff were working hard to obtain an exemption from very high up and finally they were able to obtain one. Some people are critical of US immigration but we will love them forever and ever. To make sure we reached the NYC flight, the immigration officers did the heavy lifting both literally and figuratively by taking all our (heavy) antenna and equipment bags and bypassing the security gates and accompanied the team to the departing gate. Thank you to those great people whom we will remember forever! - As of today the team members have found their own passage home: Adrian, KO8SCA to New York, Sandro, VE7NY to BC of Canada and Martti, OH2BH and Niko, OH2GEK are expecting their national airline Finnair to pick up them up later today on Finnair’s very last flight out of the USA prior to closing their airspace.[07]

41-43 - QSL-card-folder VP2VB
44,45 - Map and regional map Anegada Island
46 - Receiving the license at the British Virgin Islands Telecommunications Authority, (f.l.: KO8SCA, Telecommunicationds Officer, OH2BH), 6. March 2020
47 - The License
48 - The team: Adrian C. Ciuperca, KO8SCA; Martti Laine, OH2BH; Niko Halminen, OH2GREK; Sandro Nitoi, VE7NY

Sources / Footnotes

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