4 minute read
Silent Keys
Silent key is a term of respect for a deceased amateur radio operator. The key in the term refers to a telegraph key, the instrument that all early amateur radio operators, as well as many contemporary amateur radio operators, used to send Morse code. The term SK is used in telegraphy to indicate an end of transmission. Today, the term is commonly used within the radio community as a sign of respect and condolence, regardless of whether the deceased was an amateur radio operator.
ARCHIBALD COLVILLE DOTY JR.
March 28, 1920 -January 27, 2021. Former RCA Board Member, and RCA Fellow In the Fall of 1939, Arch brought radio to Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with his tiny homemade AM transmitter broadcasting under the self-assigned call letters WES. Over 80 Years later, WESU FM remains one of the oldest and the longest continually operating student radio stations in the country. Arch had many interests. He was a life-long IEEE member and had numerous patents, the latest was in his 90’s. He was an intrepid world traveler. He always had a garden. He loved to learn and loved his well-trained dogs.
CARL MATHIS
Carl Johnson Mathis passed away on the evening of June 8, 2021. In recognition of his importance to the field Carl was recognized by the Radio Club of America as a Fellow in 2001. He also served as the Chairman, President and Director of Manufacturer’s Representatives Educational Research Association and the Institute for Professional Advancement. One of Carl’s favorite things to do was travel, whether in the United States or internationally. One of the items on his bucket list was to travel to all seven continents. He had successfully visited all of them minus Antarctica. Despite his travels abroad, he always looked forward to returning to the United States, the country he loved and exclaimed was the greatest place in the world. Before he passed, Carl was content and accepting of what was to come. He expressed to his family that he had no regrets and had a fantastic 76 years. His influence, personality and enthusiasm will long be remembered by all he touched. One of the things closest to Carl’s heart was the University of North Alabama and during the last year of his life he worked diligently to create a scholarship to honor the students who attended UNA during the 1960s. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to this scholarship fund. When you go to the site below, please enter the Spirit of the 60s Scholarship Fund (under the choice of other) and say your donation is in memory of Carl Mathis. You can go to https://www.una.edu/give/give-now.html.
ROBERT J. STRICKLAND
Robert J. Strickland of Littleton, CO, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2021. An RCA member since 2016, in 2019 he was bestowed with The Frank A. Gunther Award for major contributions to the advancement of military electronic communications systems. An Airforceman “Spookie” seen with his SR-71 was capable of flying at speeds over Mach 3.2 and at a height of 85,000 feet. His last tour. He was also a marksman with the Army. Passed at 80, he was still working until his last weeks with DOI/DOA/APHIS as the National Radio Program Manager.
MARK DAVID PALLANS.
January 24, 1943 - October 18, 2021
Mark David PALLANS, age 78, of North Las Vegas, Nevada passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021. Mark was born January 24, 1943 in Astoria, NY.
Silent key is a term of respect for a deceased amateur radio operator. The key in the term refers to a telegraph key, the instrument that all early amateur radio operators, as well as many contemporary amateur radio operators, used to send Morse code. The term SK is used in telegraphy to indicate an end of transmission. Today, the term is commonly used within the radio community as a sign of respect and condolence, regardless of whether the deceased was an amateur radio operator.
RAYMOND TROTT
TROTT, Raymond Clark Born on February 28, 1934 in Boston, Massachusetts, Raymond Clark Trott passed away on August 27, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. A pioneer and industry leader, he was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2010, served as a past president, director, and frequent master of ceremonies for Radio Club of America, and was a Life Senior Member of IEEE. Ray had a wonderful sense of humor and loved his travels with Eleanor, including a flight on the Concord, riding the Orient Express and their favorite destination, Hawaii. Ray had a deep compassion for animals; his beloved family pets were Countess, Hans, Wiley, Oscar, Bonnie and Chloe.
DONALD TAYLOR VAUGHAN, JR.
Donald Taylor Vaughan, Jr., a resident of Oceanport, NJ, died September 10, 2021. Don was born September 25, 1949 in Neptune, NJ but lived most of his life in Oceanport, NJ. He went to Shore Regional High School. Don attended Drexel University where he received a BS in Humanities and Social Science. In 2003, he achieved his MBA from University of Phoenix. He worked as a project manager, most recently for the MTA, designing radio systems. He was also a Fellow in the Radio Club of America. Don was very proud of the work that he did to make sure that our law enforcement officers could communicate effectively for the safety of all. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dallas SPCA.
