https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • Product Guides
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • IWCE
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Premier Partners
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookie Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • TU-Auto
  • In the field
    • Back
    • In the field
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Internet of Things
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Call Center/Command
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Network Tech
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Operations
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Regulations
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • Organizations
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
Urgent Communications
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Omdia Crit Comms Circle Podcast
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • Product Guides
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
    • Sponsored content
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Why Attend
    • Exhibitor Listing
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Join the Event Mailing List
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • TU-Auto
  • newsletter
  • In the field
    • Back
    • Internet of Things
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Cybersecurity
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
acc.com

Urgent Matters


Commentary

RCA’s Perry truly is a one-of-a-kind treasure

RCA’s Perry truly is a one-of-a-kind treasure

This year's Radio Club of America's annual technical symposium and awards banquet is a special treat, because one of my favorite people, Carole Perry, is being honored with the prestigious "President's Award."
  • Written by
  • 15th November 2012

As I write this column, I am 37,000 feet above terra firma, winging my way toward New York City, one of my favorite cities, to attend when of my favorite events — the Radio Club of America's annual technical symposium and awards banquet. This year's event is a special treat, because one of my favorite people, Carole Perry, is being honored with the prestigious "President's Award.

I spoke with Perry yesterday morning. It had been awhile since we last spoke — far too long — but she was the same as ever. If someone could bottle her energy, enthusiasm, attitude, dedication and loyalty, that person would become a gazillionaire. Perry truly is one of a kind.

The first question I asked concerned what the award meant to her. Typically, and modestly, she replied that what she found most pleasing and gratifying was that Vivian Carr, RCA's current president, would be presenting the award to her. Carr is a longtime stalwart of the RCA, and Perry told me at some length about the considerable amount of support the Carr has given her over the years. This is particularly true regarding the grassroots educational programs designed to introduce the science of wireless communications to America's youth, in the hopes that they will grow up to become tomorrow's innovators. It is an initiative to which the indefatigable Perry has dedicated herself during the past couple of years.

Perry started by targeting schools, which is the logical place to start, but now she wants to expand the program to museums. At first glance, this might not seem intuitive, but after hearing Perry's rationale, this too makes perfect sense. First, museums are the ideal place to showcase antique radios, which always grab the attention of the kids. Second, hundreds of kids pass through museums on a daily basis.

"It's the ripple effect," she said. "If you get [the attention of] even one really enthusiastic person, more will come."

Perry made sure to mention that the grassroots programs she establishes in schools go far beyond amateur radio and encompass many aspects of wireless communications. There is a practical reason for this: teachers would have to be licensed amateur radio operators, or be willing to obtain one, in order to teach the curriculum. "That's a limiting factor," she said.

The second — and more important — factor is that wireless communications today are incredibly multifaceted, and the industry is going to need succeeding generations of innovators. So, Perry's program is designed to reflect the industry. The theory is that one never knows what will spark the interest and imagination of a child, so why not expose them to as many aspects as possible? "The ham (radio) part is just the cherry on the cake," Perry said.

Perry told me that she's most proud of convincing the RCA leadership to let young innovators present at the technical symposium. Last year, 17-year-old Austin Schaller blew everybody away with his presentation on fractal antennas. Nathan "Chip" Cohen, who holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Boston University and is one of the leading experts on fractal antenna technology, was so impressed that he not only has taken Schaller under his wing, he has become an RCA member and will be presenting at tomorrow's symposium, Perry said.

"There's the ripple effect I was talking about," she said.

Also tomorrow, Erin King, a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will offer a presentation entitled, "Radios in the Stratosphere: High-Altitude Ballooning," which will examine weather balloons equipped with payloads capable of taking stunning photographs while simultaneously collecting scientific data.

I have no idea whether King also will blow everyone away, but I suspect that she might. But this I do know: Carole Perry blows me away. Next week, America celebrates Thanksgiving. I think I can speak for all RCA members when I say that we are thankful for her and all that she does.

Tags: Wide Area Commentary Training Wireless Networks Urgent Matters Commentary

Most Recent


  • Public-safety coalition renews efforts to secure federal NG911 funding
    A coalition of public-safety associations today reiterated its support for federal legislation that would provide the funding needed to pay for 911 centers to migrate from legacy technologies to an IP-based next-generation 911 (NG911) platform that is designed to support multimedia communications, as well as traditional voice calls. Representatives of the Public Safety Next Generation […]
  • The shine begins to wear off 5G private wireless
    Verizon had high hopes for private wireless networking. The company had predicted that by now it would be well on its way to making billions of dollars from the sale of custom 4G and 5G networks dedicated exclusively to its enterprise customers. Indeed, during 2021 Verizon execs pegged the total addressable market for private wireless at around […]
  • Phishers trick Microsoft into granting them 'verified' Cloud Partner status
    Late last year, a group of threat actors managed to obtain “verified publisher” status through the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (MCPP). This allowed them to surpass levels of brand impersonation ordinarily seen in phishing campaigns, as they distributed malicious applications bolstered by a verified blue badge only ever given to trusted vendors and service providers in […]
  • NATE: Todd Schlekeway highlights organization's safety, legislative initiatives
    Todd Schlekeway, executive director of NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, discusses many of NATE’s planned activities for 2023, including a legislative visit to Capitol Hill in May, safety/training initiatives, and a broader release of the Vertical Freedom documentary that focuses on the lives of tower climbers in the communication arena.  

Related Content

Commentary


How 5G is making cities safer, smarter, and more efficient

26th January 2023

3GPP moves Release 18 freeze date to March 2024

18th January 2023

Do smart cities make safer cities?

  • 1
6th January 2023
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


UrgentComm

Public-safety coalition renews efforts to secure federal NG911 funding dlvr.it/ShwGfn

4th February 2023
UrgentComm

Newscan: Cyberattacks on DoE national labs draw lawmaker scrutiny dlvr.it/Shvpw3

3rd February 2023
UrgentComm

The shine begins to wear off 5G private wireless dlvr.it/Shth0P

3rd February 2023
UrgentComm

Phishers trick Microsoft into granting them ‘verified’ Cloud Partner status dlvr.it/Shqngn

2nd February 2023
UrgentComm

Shapeshifting robot can morph from a liquid to a solid dlvr.it/Shqk9K

2nd February 2023
UrgentComm

Automakers against stampede to BEV dominance dlvr.it/ShpX08

2nd February 2023
UrgentComm

FCC nominee Gigi Sohn headed for third Senate hearing dlvr.it/ShpDcZ

1st February 2023
UrgentComm

Sign up to learn how to successfully manage your Motorola ASTRO® 25 System: spr.ly/60143j8fp https://t.co/XcxiUwzN27

1st February 2023

Newsletter

Sign up for UrgentComm’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about Communications and Technology.

Expert Commentary

Learn from experts about the latest technology in automation, machine-learning, big data and cybersecurity.

Business Media

Find the latest videos and media from the market leaders.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital and print audiences? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • TU-Auto

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Careers

FOLLOW Urgent Comms ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.