Presentation of President’s Award to Fred M. Link

By Gaetano (Tom) Amascato

I have the distinct honor and the greatest pride and pleasure of my life to present the President's Award to a dynamo of a man, Fred Link. "Dynamo" is the name I gave Fred when I joined the Fred Link Corp. in 1940.

The forerunner president emeritus for the Radio Club of America and past president for close to one quarter of a century, from 1968 to 1992, Fred has had an impressive list of credentials over the years, including assistant engineer, De Forest Radio Co., 1927-28; founder of Link Radio Co., 1931-1950; and director of the Allen B. DuMont Mobile Radio Division. Related activities include director of public safety, 1940-41; mayor, 1942-1952, borough of Westwood, New Jersey; IEEE Fellow, 1973; board of Governors, 1980; IEEE/VTS charter member; APCO honorary life member; QCWA life member; Society of Wireless Pioneers; Old-Timers Club; IEEE Centennial Medal, 1984; and the list goes on and on.

Fred, it goes without saying, has inspired more people in all walks of life and was mostly responsible for the growth of over 70% of our Radio Club membership with the most distinguished professional individuals in all aspects of wireless communications, broadcasting and technical publications. Many of the pioneers have had several patents, which add to our standards and technology as we know them today.

President Emeritus Fred M. Link (LF) holds the President's Award certificate as his wife, Mildred, looks on.

It is no wonder, Fred, being at the helm of the Radio Club of America, the course that was set through uncharted tomorrows has brought us into the most explosive changes in wireless. The fax machines, high usage, the birth of the Internet and email, to name a few, have truly diminished the size of the world from what it was when the Club began.

Fred, I speak for the entire Radio Club membership, who have known you personally and through business entities over the years and because of these occurrences, they have become better human beings due to your thoughtfulness and concerns as a friend and a colleague.

From the entire Radio Club of America and all your friends throughout the world, we wish you Godspeed and the best always down life's road. We need your dynamic drive.

I will present this award to you, Fred. The President's Award citation reads as follows:

"In recognition of his pioneering achievements in FM land mobile radio, manufacturing and for his energetic leadership of the Radio Club of America, serving as its president from 1968 to 1992."

Fred, congratulations; we salute you.