[ Written by Bucky WØSUN and Bud WØRMT ]
Aaron Steven Cathcart, 51 | N0WAR/SK
June 26, 1972 to June 5, 2024
Amateur Radio lost a very active ambassador recently. Aaron Cathcart N0WAR was a self titled Ham Radio Super Freak. He was also the originator of the Ham Radio Group called “SuperFreq”. He was one of the first Digital DMR Pioneers in Northern Colorado and DMR Talkgroup 310869 became the home of the Superfreq Group. The Superfreqs later were integrated into Colorado Digital Multiprotocol reflector XLX303 which introduced many more Ham Radio Operators onto the system. Gradually they found their way onto SuperFreq, Module F (For Freq)! Aaron was also responsible for establishing DMR Talkgroup 31084 which he named NOCO Mountain Skynet when he was living in Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. This Talkgroup was integrated and bridged into Reflector XLX303 Module B.
If there was a key up or a call out on 310869 SuperFreq, most likely it was Aaron returning the call. How could one describe Aaron? He was very unique with his low voice, his inflections, and the way he spaced out his words. “Ohhhh Myyy G—d! It’s greaat to taalk to youu! You Made My Daay!” You always felt good after talking to Aaron on the radio. He would talk about anything and everything and would not shy away about voicing his opinions and thoughts. He stood out. He was slightly edgy and sometimes misunderstood. But he was also charming, humble, and had a heart of gold.
He made many friends on the talk group and had many conversations sometimes telling stories about his father or the time he spent taking wedding photos.
One story was the time spent at the police academy in Greeley and also times spent on the driving track at Golden. Many conversations led to comments or reference to a movie scenes he had watched, or TV programs, he liked to watch Wheel of Fortune with Heidi. Heidi was also licensed in Amateur Radio when they made Estes Park their home. Heidi’s callsign was KC0VQF.
Aaron made his living mostly in photography. Aaron and Heidi moved to and joined the Cathcart family photo studio in Estes Park, Colorado. Not only was Aaron an expert third generation professional photographer, he created many interesting and entertaining videos as well. He was a “YouTuber” and called his YouTube channel, “Shutter Mafia Studios”, home of Cathcart Photography. He had eight thousand subscribers.
Link to Shutter Mafia
Aaron was a little reclusive. He sometimes declined invitations to join in at Hamfests, Radio Swap-Meets or even lunch. Although he didn’t meet others in person, he sure made up for it on the air waves. He was eager and happy to talk with anyone. He was a familiar voice for many years not only on digital radio, but HF radio as well. He operated from “The War Shack” as he used to call it. 
A couple of decades ago Aaron was a Net Controller for Army MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System), with another fondly remembered colorful character named O.J., KØOJ/SK. It must’ve been an entertaining and fun NET at times while providing a valuable service.
When Aaron found out that most NASA Astronauts were Ham Radio Operators and they also had a Ham Radio Setup on the Space Station, he made it his personal goal to operate and talk to an Astronaut. He talked not only once but many times with the Space Station.
Link to NØWAR talking to the International Space Station
Aaron and Heidi later moved to Loveland, Colorado, then most recently in 2023 they settled in Princeton, Illinois to be near Heidi’s Family.
Aaron was raised in Nebraska with his mother Beverly Powers. He later joined his Father Steve Cathcart with the family business in Colorado.
Aaron’s Brother Dave lives in Fort Collins, and he has a Twin Sister Lora Hamil in Pierce Colorado. He hung out with his furry rescue dog, Dundee, in the War Shack.
Aaron had just set up a new Photography Studio in Princeton, Illinois and was looking forward to many more years near the “Cornfields” with his loving partner Heidi. His mother was in the process of moving from Nebraska to be near Aaron and Heidi.
Aaron NØWAR had a huge impact on the team of Colorado Digital, XLX303, and the Ham Operators that called this reflector home. He will be sorely missed by Ham Operators in NOCO (Northern Colorado) as well as the Amateur Radio Operators around the world that called Aaron a friend. Aaron was extraordinary. He added color and spice to our hobby. He was unique. He was an original. He was the Original Super Freak. SUPERFREQ XLX303-F will not be the same without him.
Aaron’s Obituary | N0WAR QRZ Page | Shutter Mafia YouTube
Aaron’s Photo Gallery on Flicker | Tribute on QRZ (KW5USA)
73 to our friend
de Jimi N7VDR, Dave WDØHDR, Ivan W1VAN
Bud WØRMT, Bucky WØSUN
Colorado Digital Multiprotocol