Ba-Ma-Tech, the maker of precision keys popular with CW ops around the world, has announced the sudden death of its owner Markus Baseler DL6YYM and the company's plan to close its doors. No details about his death have been immediately provided but there is a message posted on the business website saying that it is reviewing existing orders to determine whether they can be fulfilled.

Markus was known as an enthusiastic CW op, operating QRP in POTA. He had made plans to operate in Greenland in August but called off the trip, writing on his QRZ.com page [quote] "Due to unexpected illness, unfortunately I have had to cancel everything." [endquote]

The company website includes an earlier message posted by Markus himself, noting that DHL had temporarily halted its shipments to the US.