Scientist Radio Ham Named for Prestigious Award

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Ajay K. Poddar¸ AC2KG, of Elmwood, New Jersey, has been selected by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as the winner of the 2015 International Frequency Control Symposium W.G. Cady Award

Scientist_Ham_Ajay_Poddar_AC2KG

Poddar, a chief scientist at Synergy Microwave Corp and an academic, was cited for “the analysis, design and development of a host of frequency control products exhibiting state-of-the-art performance, including the development of extremely low noise crystal oscillator circuitry.”

The award marks the second honor for Synergy Microwave scientists this year, and the third in 3 years. Synergy Chairman Ulrich Rohde, N1UL (ex-KA2WEU), recently was named as the recipient of the IEEE’s I. I. Rabi Award for 2015, and last year he won the C.B. Sawyer Memorial Award.

Full ARRL Story - http://www.arrl.org/news/scientist-radio-amateur-named-to-receive-prestigious-award

80th ARRL Anniversary of North Dakota Radio Amateur

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Alex Muggli, W0ZTL, an amateur in North Dakota USA, was recently honored on the 80th anniversary of his ARRL membership, a very rare milestone. At the recent Bismarck Hamfest, Muggli, who still lives in his home town of Glen Ullin, was presented with an 80-year membership plaque and a framed commemorative cover of QST from 1935, the year Muggli joined the ARRL.

“Alex has been a ham since he was 17, and now is 97 years old. His wife had him quit climbing his tower a couple of years ago, but he seems like he could still do it today.”
— ARRL Dakota Division Vice Director Kent Olson, KA0LDG

Nelson said the presentation was a surprise to Alex and his wife, Alice. Their son Dave, N0JLY, and his wife Karen were on hand for the recognition.

Born in 1917, Muggli got interested in radio as a youngster and built a cat’s whisker “crystal set” as his first radio. He learned Morse code in the Boy Scouts — he became an Eagle Scout — and was first licensed as W9ZTL in 1937, a couple of years after he joined the League. He subsequently became W0ZTL, when the FCC reshuffled US call districts. Muggli served in the US Navy during World War II and was a radio and radar instructor. He later worked in his family’s business, managing a grain elevator until he retired.

Muggli remains active on the daily ARRL North Dakota traffic nets and still drives a car. “Many old hams and even the new ones remember Alex on 160 meters,” said Nelson. “He is always active on 160 meters in the winter months and sends out many QSLs. Although Alex is pretty reserved, he is in good health, has lots of stories to tell, and is a special person to visit with at hamfests or on the air,” he added.

5-year-old Passes Ham Radio Exam

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Colton Ragdale KE0CRD has successfully passed the US amateur radio exam at the age of 5

5-year-old Colton Ragdale, KE0CRD, Passes Ham Radio Exam

5-year-old Colton Ragdale, KE0CRD, Passes Ham Radio Exam

Colton got 93% of the questions in the Technician exam correct. The USA Technician exam is broadly equivalent to the UK Foundation although it doesn't have any practical assessments. A Tech licence permits the holder to run 200 watts output on four HF bands and 1,500 watts on the VHF, UHF and Microwave bands. Techs can operate Maritime Mobile, build their own equipment and run repeaters.

Colton's parents Debra K0KAI and Zeke K0XK are both radio hams and it was seeing his parents using radios and talking to one another that made him want to become involved. So he took the FCC test and passed.

Full Story (Video) - http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2015/01/23/5-year-old-passes-ham-radio-exam/22247015/