Mason P. Southworth, ex-W1VLH, SK; Headed ARRL IGY Propagation Project

Former ARRL staffer Mason Southworth, ex-W1VLH, of Montara, California, died August 28 from complications related to a traumatic brain injury 2 years ago. He was 81. A graduate of Trinity College in Hartford and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he began work in 1956 at ARRL Headquarters, where he met his wife, Freddie.

While at ARRL, he was chosen to head the ARRL International Geophysical Year (IGY) Propagation Research Project (PRP). Conducted under a US Air Force contract, the PRP enlisted 600 Amateur Radio operators from around the world to help improve the understanding of VHF propagation. Data from the experiment, sorted and recorded on 300,000 computer punch cards, provided a global footprint of VHF propagation phenomena.

Southworth subsequently directed a PRP follow-on project under O.G. Villard, W6QYT, at Stanford University, researching transequatorial scatter propagation. He later returned to the East Coast to join IBM, where he spent 25 years and became known for his ability to make complex technological concepts accessible to non-scientists.

During his League tenure, Southworth authored numerous articles on the PRP as well as on VHF-related topics, including construction projects.

Source:ARRL

Recent Posts

Federal Judge Okays Retrieval of Titanic Marconi Wireless Equipment

May 22, 2020 No comments

A US federal judge in Virginia has given permission to retrieve the ill-fated RMS Titanic’s Marconi wireless gear, which transmitted distress calls fr... Read more

Luiton LT-598UV – 75 watts dual band FM mobile [ Video ]

July 10, 2017 No comments

Product description Specification： General  1. Frequency Range:VHF:136-174MHz UHF:400-480MHz  2. Number of Channel:200  3.Channel Spacing:25KHz 20K 12... Read more

PSØ6J – Brazilian Scouts

January 08, 2015 No comments

“From this Sunday, 11, to the January 16, Melbourn, on Christmas Metropolitan Region (RN), you receive 4215 participants in the largest Boy Scou... Read more

RadFxSat (Fox-1B) Launch Delayed; AMSAT Asks for Patience During Commissioning

November 07, 2017 No comments

The launch of the Delta II vehicle carrying RadFxSat (Fox-1B) and other payloads has been delayed, due to a faulty battery on the booster, United Laun... Read more

Retevis RT6 Dual Band Analog HT Unboxing

July 14, 2020 No comments

Retevis RT6 Review of the Dual Band Analog HT. Unboxing the radio and taking a look at the menus. Read more

HamCation – MFJ Display [Video]

February 10, 2017 No comments

“HamCation® 2017 is just around the corner. Time is flying, before you know it the 71st edition of the second largest show in the United States... Read more

Search Continues for STMSat-1 Radio Signal

May 26, 2016 No comments

Morehead State University’s 21 meter dish is helping in the search for STMSat-1’s 70 centimeter signal. Youngsters at St Thomas More Cathe... Read more

Radio Direction Finder DF2020T

October 23, 2019 No comments

DF2020T Radio Direction Finder kit requires minimum assembly for 10~15 Minutes The Stealth DDF2020T/GPS is an economical but very sophisticated Dopple... Read more

Your First HF Transceiver, Advice from Jim Heath W6LG

December 10, 2018 No comments

Jim Heath W6LG discusses buying your first HF transceiver if you are new to amateur radio. This is broad, general advice for someone buying a first HF... Read more