World Radio Labs - Happy Birthday Leo!

Leo, W0GFQ (center) at the Party with Pat, WA6MHZ (left), and Steve, NF6V. Photo courtesy NF6V On March 16th, there was a wonderful 95th birthday party for Leo Meyerson W0GFQ- founder of the famous World Radio Labs held in a really nice park gazebo in Palm Desert, California, probably 75 or more attended. The event was sponsored by QCWA Chapter 154 and hosted by Chapter President Gene Pentecost W4IMT. Many other chapter members were there to help with the cooking and hospitality. Numerous celebrities arrived and many Hams came from a long ways away. One guy said he came in all the way from Michigan! The American Radio Relay League was represented by Southwestern (continued)

Division Director Dick Norton N6AA and myself (WA6MHZ) San Diego Section Manager. Dick spoke fondly of his Globe King and presented Leo with a commendation from ARRL Headquarters for his lifetime of dedicated service to Amateur Radio. Seen in the crowd were renowned film producer Dave Bell W6AQ, and many more. The special event station, Callsign W0GFQ, was on the air, using a Yaesu FT-847, LDG Antenna tuner and a dipole up in the trees. Many contacts were made around the country to many who wanted to wish Leo a Happy Birthday. Also contacted was a station at the Leo Meyerson museum back in the Midwest. Hot off the grill were tasty hotdogs and hamburgers with all the trimmings. I called in sick and made the trip in just a couple hours, taking the scenic route through the windy Southern California mountains. This spoke well of my Lincoln Town Car, a long ways from a Sports car! Arriving early, I was able to sit down with Leo and have a nice chat with him. I told him about this wonderful World Radio Labs website and he was very honored that this site exists... Very Thanks to Bill N4BKT!! Leo was very humble and appreciative of all the love that the Ham Radio community has for him. I told him of my WRL Mania, buying up everything WRL I can find, and he was very touched. I also told him about the special Galaxy/Globe/WRL wing of the Crest Radio Museum I have dedicated to him. Leo was so excited to see my copy of the 1957 20th edtion WRL catalog. We perused through it and looked at the Globe line of radios inside. Leo then autographed the catalog for me, an item to indeed treasure forever. After a round of HAPPY BIRTHDAY and a great Carrot cake, I had to bail, as I had to make it back to San Diego for a few hours of work The Police would have loved to seen the Town Car doing over 90 down the freeway! It was a delightful day. Wish you all could have been here, I gave Leo best wishes from all the WRL Enthusiasts! Maybe we can do it all again when he turns 96! 73,
Pat WA6MHZ
Curator,
Crest Radio Museum