Leo Meyerson of World Radio Labs Fame Celebrating 100th Birthday

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

Was wondering recently how Leo was doing since there's been no mention of him for a few years, now. Apparently he's doing just fine. Forwarded from the AMRadio email list:


Hi Everybody,

On Feb 24th QCWA Chapter 154 in West Palm Springs is celebrating Leo's 100th birthday.  For those that don't remember Leo owned and operated World Radio Laboratories in Council Bluffs, IA for many years.

So here's the plan, take a QSL card, write 'Happy 100th Birthday Leo' on it and send it to:

Leo Meyerson, W0GFQ
19 Park Lane
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Gene Pentecost, President of Chapter 154 will make sure they get to the party so everyone that attends can enjoy them.

One last thing, tell every ham you know to do the same thing, QCWA member or not.  Spread the word, at every radio club meeting you attend, at every net you check into.

I want Leo to get hundreds, maybe even thousands of cards.

tnx es 73,
Bob Roske, NØUF
QCWA President

[WBear2GCR]

Wow! I thought you were joking/talking about him SK!!

GO LEO!!!

Wonder if he has his marbles or not...

George Burns did...

                    _-_-bear

[KD0HUX]

LEO IS A TRUE  RADIO PIONEER  MY GLOBE KING 500 IS THE FLAG SHIP OF STUDIO A

[KC2ZFA]

Instead of QSL cards it may be a better idea to send him pics of his rigs in
operation today !

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

Wow! I thought you were joking/talking about him SK!!

Clearly you have me confused with someone or something else, Randall. I've known that Leo was alive and well for years, merely wondering one day while working on a piece of gear what he was up to or if he was still active.

Didn't anyone ever tell you that sniffing glue isn't good for you?   

Instead of QSL cards it may be a better idea to send him pics of his rigs in
operation today !

I figure they're probably asking for QSLs for ease of handling and reading, as well as keeping a tally of where folks write from.

Of all the big boatanchor manufacturers out there, he must be one of the last, if not the last still with us.

[W1UJR]

Instead of QSL cards it may be a better idea to send him pics of his rigs in
operation today !

It is pretty amazing how much of his gear has survived, or been brought back from the dead. Sure he'd get a kick out of photos and letters as well.

I read the announcement on the As The World Turns website earlier today, thought what a splendid idea. Art is gone, Edgar is gone, Jerry Gross, Millen and others...Leo may indeed be the last one standing!


Just for a sense of time,  QSL card from Leo dated 1938, sent to G5RV!



Photo from 1943

[ke7trp]

I was told he was SK in 2003.  Its on the web that he is SK.  The address on that post and his call is different. I am going to send him some photos of the GK

C

[K9PNP]

Leo is still on the QCWA roster and not listed in the QCWA SK list.  Hope he is doing well.  Got out-bid for one of his xmtrs about 15 years ago; wish I had had more money to keep bidding.

[Pete, WA2CWA]

I met Leo for the first time back in the late 90's or early 2000(s) at Dayton. I was at my tables and the Dayton folks were riding him around in one of their golf-carts. They stopped at my tables, he got out of the cart, and introduced himself. We chatted for a few minutes and then he was on his way. Maybe he thought I owned him money, or I had a kind face, or I just looked lonely. 

[KE5YTV]

Go Leo !!!! Happy Birthday  Love my GK 400B

Mike

[W9GT]

I also had the pleasure of meeting Leo at Dayton several years ago.  A fine gentleman and he has truly made his mark on amateur radio.  Lots of those WRL Globe radios still around.  Happy Birthday Leo and may you have many more!

73,  Jack, W9GT

[W3GMS]

I will never forget my WRL wall map with Leo's smile on the map!  I was a novice at the time and it was proudly displayed on my shack wall.  Between WRL and Burstein and Applebee (B&A) what more could a novice want!

I am glad Leo is still around and hopefully he is still enjoying life.  

Does anyone know what happened to the museum that he tried to start maybe 15 or so years ago?  I believe it was to be in Lincoln, Nebraska.  When Martha and I were doing a cross county road trip we stopped but the curator said that the displays were rotated in the museum and at the time we were that we only saw lots of trains. I know Leo was requesting gear for the museum and I am assuming he got lots of donations.  

Regards,
Joe, W3GMS

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

I know Leo was requesting gear for the museum and I am assuming he got lots of donations.  

He was, Joe. And he got quite a bit. But it ended badly, as the display was temporary and the gear ended up being sold off via ebay a couple years later. Seems the museum administration changed, Leo had no say in it. He apparently tried to find a new home for it all but it didn't work out. There were more than a few folks ticked off to see their 1930 Collins transmitter or pristine WRL equipment that they had donated  to a museum being re-sold on ebay!

I think if you dig around a bit online you can still find some information preserved about the whole event. I give Leo credit for a job well done in building the collection, it's just too bad things went the way they did afterward.

[W3GMS]

Hi Todd,
That is very sad indeed.  I know a lot of people including Leo himself put a lot of gear into the museum pool.  Its a darn shame that the museum became the owners of the gear.  I guess one has to be watchful of such things.
Regards,
Joe, W3GMS 

[Pete, WA2CWA]

I will never forget my WRL wall map with Leo's smile on the map!  I was a novice at the time and it was proudly displayed on my shack wall.  Between WRL and Burstein and Applebee (B&A) what more could a novice want!

Regards,
Joe, W3GMS

I found several of these WRL wall maps rolled up in one of my basement cleanups several months ago. Don't believe I ever hung any of them. Probably will take them to Dayton this year.

[K1JJ]

Leo and LeeLoo

[Mike/W8BAC]

Ahhh... Milla Jovovich and a picture from Fifth Element. What made you think of that JJ?

[K1JJ]

Mike, I figgered she's the perfect poster-girl for WRL!   Ya know, hi-tech and sassy. Leo woulda loved having her around...

T

[W2VW]

I met Leo for the first time back in the late 90's or early 2000(s) at Dayton. I was at my tables and the Dayton folks were riding him around in one of their golf-carts. They stopped at my tables, he got out of the cart, and introduced himself. We chatted for a few minutes and then he was on his way. Maybe he thought I owned him money, or I had a kind face, or I just looked lonely. 

Pete,

   You emit sunshine when selling at a fest. I've seen it myself.

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

Much of it through that massive grin. When I saw Pete at Dayton a few years back, he was grinning ear-to-ear. Later that day, same thing. Next day, same thing.

He's one happy guy.