The Armstrong Medal
In 1935, the Radio Club of America established a tradition of publicly recognizing outstanding achievements in the arts and sciences of radio and wireless communications. RCA’s first award was presented to Major Edward H. Armstrong for his invention of circuits that make AM and FM radio possible, and for Major Armstrong’s lifetime of championing work that established the foundation for modern radio technology. The award, now known as the Armstrong Medal, is only awarded when an individual has demonstrated excellence and made lasting contributions to radio arts and sciences.
Armstrong Medal Recipients
Dr. Ulrich L. Rohde Award for Innovation in Applied Radio Science and Engineering
New in 2024 - full details and criteria are coming soon!
Dr. Arno A. Penzias Award for Contributions to Basic Research in the Radio Sciences
New in 2024 - full details and criteria are coming soon!
The Sarnoff Citation
David Sarnoff was a pioneer in American radio and television. A protégé of radio inventor Guglielmo Marconi, Sarnoff was president of the powerful Radio Corporation of America and established the National Broadcasting Co.(NBC), America’s first commercial radio network. The Radio Corporation of America was a leader in radio and television manufacturing and instrumental in ushering in the age of broadcast radio and television. The Sarnoff Citation, established in 1973, recognizes exceptional contributions of a technical or non-technical nature to the advancement of electronic communications.
Sarnoff Citation Recipients
The Allen B. DuMont Citation
Allen B. Dumont, inventor and entrepreneur, founded Allen B. Dumont Laboratories and developed the modern oscilloscope for the measurement and study of wave forms. He made significant contributions to the development of the cathode ray tube used in television receivers and manufactured and sold the first practical television set to the public. The Allen B. Dumont Citation was established in 1979 to recognize outstanding work in the field of television electronics.
Allen B. DuMont Citation Recipients
The Henri Busignies Memorial Award
Henri Busignies, an electronics and communications expert, was responsible for over 140 inventions in aerial navigation and direction finding to guide aircraft. One of his inventions, the “Huff-Duff” high-frequency direction finder, is credited with helping to thwart German submarine wolfpacks during WWII. The award, established in 1981, primarily recognizes achievements in the field of communications equipment and is granted to any person who has contributed substantially to the advancement of electronics for the benefit of humanity.
Henry Busignies Memorial Award Recipients
The Jay Kitchen Leadership Award
Jay Kitchen served in government, led two of the wireless industry's premier trade associations and was also a long time RCA board member and supporter. His career was characterized by a leadership style that incorporated energetic advocacy, devotion to the spirit of cooperation, an avid interest in technology, respect for all and distinctive humor. This award recognized an individual who embodies these characteristics and has achieved a high level of success leading a wireless association, government agency or commercial enterprise.
Jay Kitchen Leadership Award Recipients
The Lee de Forest Award
Lee de Forest is credited with inventing the Audion, a vacuum tube that enabled signal amplification in radio circuits. He held over 180 patents, pioneered motion picture sound, and popularized the word “radio” in the U.S. instead of the European term “wireless.” The Lee de Forest Award, originated in 1983, is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of radio communications.
Lee de Forest Award Recipients
Wireless Innovation Award *new award in 2022
This Award is available to an individual or a small group of individuals (5 or less). This Award is not intended to be a corporate Award. The recipients are to be recognized for creating a new concept or product to be used in the wireless industry. A patent, patent pending, or a registered trademark is desired, but not necessary. Evidence of the product being used in the industry is required.
Wireless Innovation Award Recipients
The Fred M. Link Award
Fred Link founded Link Radio Corp, known from 1931-1950 as a leading manufacturer of two-way radio equipment used by police departments around the world. He was also known for his enthusiastic and long-standing support of the Radio Club of America. The Fred M. Link award recognizes notable achievements in land mobile radio communications.
Fred M. Link Award
The Jack Poppele Award
Jack Poppele launched radio broadcasting in New Jersey. He was a director of the Voice of America. He developed the first directional radio signal and the first portable radio and made stereo available on AM radio. In recognition of his long and varied career, this award, first given in 1989, recognizes individuals who have made important and long-term contributions to the field of radio broadcasting.
Jack Poppele Award Recipients
The Barry Goldwater Amateur Radio Award
Barry Goldwater was not only a Presidential candidate in 1964 and a distinguished five-term U.S. Senator from the State of Arizona, he was also an avid amateur radio enthusiast. Established in 1994, the Barry Goldwater Amateur Radio Award is given in recognition of unique contributions to the field of amateur radio.
Barry Goldwater Amateur Radio Award Recipients
The Alfred H. Grebe Award
Alfred H. Grebe obtained a commercial radio license at age 15 and founded the Grebe Radio Company in 1914. The company later became the Grebe Radio and Television Company, which also operated several radio stations, including WCBS that is still broadcasting in New York City. Established in 1994, the Alfred H. Grebe Award recognizes significant achievements of excellence in the engineering and manufacturing of radio equipment.
Alfred H. Grebe Award Recipients
The Frank A. Gunther Award
Frank A. Gunther is credited with building the first two-way mobile police radio system and installed the first two-way radio system on an airplane. He built the first FM mobile transmitter for the U.S. military, and he designed and manufactured LORAN transmitters used by the Allies in WWII. Established in 1996, this award recognizes an individual for their dedication to the field of military communications.
Frank A. Gunther Award Recipients
The Jerry B. Minter Award
Jerry B. Minter, engineer and entrepreneur, founded Measurements Corporation. He later formed Components Corporation, which produced electrical connectors and power supplies used by NASA in satellites. He developed surgical-suite closed-circuit television for New York City hospitals and held numerous patents for airplane pilot warning systems. This award, established in 1996, recognizes innovative work in instrumentation, avionics and electronics.
Jerry B. Minter Award Recipients
NPSTC’s Richard DeMello Award
The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) developed this award in 2006 to honor the achievements of Richard DeMello, a member of the Radio Club of America who was instrumental in bringing radio spectrum frequency coordinators together to form NPSTC. This NPSTC award recognizes an individual in public safety communications who has demonstrated the highest levels of personal and professional conduct and performance in local, state and national public safety communications. NPSTC presents this award at the RCA Awards Banquet each year it is bestowed.
NPSTC's Richard DeMello Award Recipients
U.S. Navy Captain George P. McGinnis Memorial Award
The USN Award recognized service and dedication to the advancement and preservation of U.S. Naval Cryptology, as nominated by the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association (NCVA).
USN Captain George P McGinnis Award Recipients
The RCA Young Achiever Award
The RCA Young Achiever Award is presented to students in high school, or younger, who have demonstrated excellence and creativity in wireless communications and who have given a presentation at the annual RCA Technical Symposium.
RCA Young Achiever Award Recipients
The Vivian A. Carr Award
Vivian A. Carr was a senior executive at Bell Labs and is a Senior Lifetime Member of IEEE. She was the first female member of the Radio Club of America and president of the organization from 2011-2012. The Vivian A. Carr Award, established in 2014, recognizes outstanding women for their achievements in the wireless industry.
Vivian Carr Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
Established in 2015, RCA’s Board of Directors recognizes very significant achievements and a major body of work accomplished over a lifetime that has advanced the art and science of wireless technology.
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients