Parks, AZ

Ted was born in Battle Creek, Michigan to Donald and Ruth Hartson. He spent his youth in Michigan which is where his love of all things radio was developed, and he became WA8ULG (the Ugly Little Germ).

He began his career at Wolverine Cable in his hometown and ascended quickly into the corporate ranks which took him all over the World. However, it never took him away from the radio scene and every house was anchored with a radio lab where his passions were played out.

At the apex of his corporate career, he left to open Scottsdale Television Labs. During this tenure, he developed En Camera Sciences Corporation and successfully patented several concepts which were later sold to Disney Corporation. More projects ensued and upon retirement he oftentimes still provided expert witness testimony to Corporations as a broadcasting/cable expert. He converted his garage (and every garage) into a lab and continued to tinker daily with his 'toys' and every morning joined the radio chat with his fellow hams while still working his radio magic. Throughout life he also pursued his love of the Prairie, Irish Setters and being adopted by every cat within the vicinity.

Ted is survived by his wife, Deborah; children Sarah (husband Monte) and Jim (wife Sandy) and grandchildren Emily and Nicholas.

I meet Ted not long after his move to Scottsdale, AZ in 1985. Ted and Ingo WA7KUM were good pals and Cable Company (Post Newsweek) mates even before Ted’s arrival in Arizona. I spent a great deal of time with Ted at various Swap Meets across the US. We had great times at Fort Tuthill (Flagstaff, AZ), Dayton, Grayslake (near Chicago) and Maryland (Gaithersburg). We had a lot of fun and found some great buys on test equipment.

He was an expert negotiator. I learned a great deal about managing the negotiation process and how to pack and ship the loot back to home base.

Doug May
W7IXA