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Science star Ulrich L. Rohde: Bavarian Order of Merit for genius!
Prof. Dr. Ulrich L. Rohde receives the Bavarian Order of Merit for outstanding achievements in high-frequency technology.
Science star Ulrich L. Rohde: Bavarian Order of Merit for genius!
On July 23, 2025, Prof. Dr. Ulrich L. Rohde, DJ2LR, the renowned *Bavarian Order of Merit*. The award was presented at a ceremonial ceremony in the Munich Residence, led by Prime Minister Dr. Markus Söder, presented. The Bavarian Order of Merit is awarded for outstanding scientific achievements and services to the Free State of Bavaria. Rohde, who is considered a pioneer in high-frequency and microwave technology, was recognized by Söder as a “universal genius” who has had a lasting impact on science as well as teaching and supporting young scientists.
Rohde, a German-American engineer, had a lasting influence on the development of modern communications technologies. The award of the order is recognition of his decades-long commitment to research and his extraordinary achievements in the field of high-frequency and microwave technology.
Scientific achievements
The 85-year-old has written over 300 peer-reviewed specialist articles and around 150 scientific and conference papers and has also published six textbooks. Particularly noteworthy is his development of *Software Defined Radio (SDR)* in 1982 at RCA, which is still used today in numerous modern radio and communication devices, including smartphones.
The state award also honors Rohde's commitment to academic institutions. Through his foundation he made the professorship for high frequency and microwave technology at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg possible in 2009. He is currently an honorary professor at the Faculty of Computer Science at the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich, where he serves as an honorary senator.
Supporting young talents
Prime Minister Söder emphasized not only Rohde's own scientific achievements, but also his important role as a mentor and supporter of the next generation of scientists. Rohde annually donates two prizes to the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich for outstanding research achievements in the areas of mathematics/natural sciences and humanities/social sciences.
He is also actively involved in the area of amateur radio. In October 2023 he was honored as an honorary member of DARC e.V. for his services to amateur radio in Germany. He gives lectures emphasizing the importance of an amateur radio license for students and technicians to promote practical experience in radio engineering.
In a speech in the library of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences, Rohde pointed to the globalization of markets and technologies. He advocated greater integration of technical knowledge into the training of future engineers and technicians.
The Bavarian Order of Merit is only awarded to a maximum of 2,000 living people, making this award one of the highest honors for services to the Free State of Bavaria. Rohde is viewed as an outstanding scientific ambassador for Bavaria and has therefore taken on an important place in the international research landscape.
Rohde expresses gratitude and respect for his achievements and emphasizes his deep connection to the Bavarian research world. The Prime Minister's recognition is seen as an acknowledgment of his extensive career and contributions to science and technology.