James Breakall, professor of electrical engineering in the Penn State College of Engineering’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, stands beside the antenna test range that was named after him. The range is located at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs and is operated by Penn State's Applied Research Lab. Provided by James Breakall
Electrical engineering professor named Radio Club of America fellow
December 1, 2022
By Mariah R. Lucas
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — James Breakall, professor of electrical engineering in the Penn State College of Engineering’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, was named a fellow of the Radio Club of America (RCA), a society of wireless communications professionals founded in 1909.
The distinction is made by invitation to members who are in good standing for at least five years, “in recognition of their contributions to the art and science of radio communications, broadcast or to RCA,” according to the society.
“I am very honored to receive the status of a 2022 RCA fellow,” Breakall said. “There are only a small number of RCA members who receive this recognition each year. It is great to have my efforts and work for some 50 years in my career celebrated with such an honor from the oldest wireless society in the world.”
Breakall has been a member of RCA since 2015. Since 2016, Breakall has served on RCA’s Board of Directors and was recently elected for a third term, which ends in 2025. He also serves as chair of the RCA Technical Symposium and on the RCA Education and Scholarship Committee.
Breakall was previously honored as one of RCA’s Wireless Pioneers, which recognizes “giants in the industry” and their accomplishments. Breakall, whose area of specialization is in antenna modeling and design, was honored by RCA for designing and building the HAARP ionosphere modification facilities in Alaska and the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, as well as for developing and patenting the 3D frequency independent phased array antenna.
Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Evan Pugh University Professor and Charles G. Binder Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics in the Penn State College of Engineering, was also honored by RCA this year. He received the 2022 RCA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Breakall and Lakhtakia were honored at the RCA Awards Banquet on Nov. 19 in Atlanta.
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