Radio Experimenters Society Formed in Mississippi

Recently, a group of five amateur radio operators licensed by the Federal Communications Commission formed the Radio Experimenter’s Society of Mississippi. “This state has a significant amount of innovation using radio for various purposes,” said Martin F. Jue, President of MFJ Enterprises in Starkville. MFJ is one of the largest amateur radio manufacturers in the world, all developed in the college town of Starkville, home of Mississippi State University. “One of the best known icons of Mississippi radio technical innovation is Peavey Electronics in Meridian,” said George Thomas, a broadcast engineer, software developer, and recording engineer. Thomas is Vice President of Research & Development, Pristine Systems Inc., in Ridgeland, a long time vendor of broadcast automation software in the U.S and abroad. “Hartley Peavey is a licensed amateur radio operator and founder of Peavey Electronics, one of the largest music equipment manufacturers in the world. Peavey develops a complete range of products including wireless systems to outfit musical groups for concerts, studio recording, and at-home use.”

There has been no organization in existence whose mission is to identify and honor radio experimentation in the state. Frank Howell, a former broadcaster and news reporter, and a local field staff for the American Radio Relay League said, “The Society will work with InnovateMS, a group in Ridgeland, MS, led by Tony Jeff, whose organization is a catalyst of broader innovation work in Mississippi.” Howell said that the non-profit Society will hold an annual induction ceremony for new members whose career achievements merit recognition. These events will be open to the news media and the public. Don Wilbanks of Clear Channel Radio in New Orleans who lives in Picayune commented that “this organization will also sponsor events recognizing or contributing to radio experimentation involving the state. Most of them will be open to the public and advertised through the media to facilitate attendance.”
“The profile of hobbyists and entrepreneurs alike will be raised through the efforts of this Society,” added Mike McKay, an attorney in Flowood and active amateur radio operator in the Jackson MS volunteer communications networks sponsored by the American Radio Relay League.


For more information about this topic, please contact Don Wilbanks by calling 601-798-4653, or e-mail don.wilbanks@charter.net. The group's website is www.radioexperimenters.org.