SILENT KEY 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
CARL MATHIS Carl Johnson Mathis passed away on the evening of June 8, 2021.
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.
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.
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.
SPRING 2022 PROCEEDINGS
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
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