Well-known contester and station builder Richard Strand, KL7RA, of Kenai, Alaska, died on November 20, after suffering a heart attack a couple of weeks ago. He was 69. A radio astronomer, Strand was an ARRL Life Member.

KL7RA was a regular in the ARRL November Sweepstakes, handing out the relatively rare Alaska Section multiplier, and he had hoped to recover in time for the 2015 ARRL November Sweepstakes events. He also was active in DX contests. Strand was a Volunteer Examiner with the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club VEC, and he had been a contributor to The ARRL Handbook.