Leon Faber, W7EH

1898-1995

An Illinois native, Leon Faber had taken up the hobby of amateur radio in 1913, He was first licensed in 1917 as 9EH. He later held 9AMK and W9DAX (see "W9DAX, A Modern Station Specializing in 1750-kc Phone Operation," QST, Jan 1931). He attended the first ARRL National Convention in 1921.

He began to make crystal units in Sandwich, IL. His first customers were other hams. In 1932, Lee Faber formed Faberadio Electric Company, which supplied crystals.

When WW II broke out he formed a partnership with James Knights who owned and operated a battery shop in Sandwich. They supplied crystals for the military, and, after the war, to many amateur and commercial manufacturers. Their efforts produced the James Knights Company, which became one of the largest crystal manufacturers in the world. It continues today as the CTS-Knights Co.

He retired to Phoenix Arizona in the late 1950s. Leon was an active ARRL member for more than 70 years.

A radio pioneer and crystal manufacturer Lee Faber, W7EH, of Phoenix, Arizona, died July 8, 1995. He was 97.

Leon was one of my ham radio Elmer’s back in the 1970's.

Tom Fagan WB7NXH

If you know more about Leon, please let me know. WB7NXH @ arrl.net