John (Jack) Skelton Belrose

   

 

A Canadian Scientist in Radiocommunication.

Un scientifique canadien de la radiocommunication.

 

Celebrating a Career in Radio Science

 

jackawd.jpg (14050 bytes)On January 28, 1999 Deputy Minister Kevin Lynch presented an award to a remarkable individual for an astonishing 42 years of service. Since 1956, CRC’s Jack Belrose has served his country with devotion and distinction in the field of radio science.

 

Jack received his PhD in the late 1950s from the University of Cambridge in England. As a student he joined the Radio Group at the university’s Cavendish Laboratories, specializing in VLF/LF propagation –– the transmission of low and very low-frequency signals. As part of his thesis studies, Jack was lucky to chart the first-ever solar proton event to be observed scientifically. After his graduation, Jack came to the Defence Research Board and very quickly became one of the leaders in the Radio Physics Lab in Canada. He devoted himself to the field of ionospheric studies and became a world-renowned expert.

 

In his more than forty years in the radio sciences, Jack has been involved with countless research projects and has had his findings published widely. In the early 60's, he was closely involved in the Defence Research Telecommunications Establishment’s development of the Alouette 1 satellite, contributing his knowledge on radio transmissions to the design of the transmission antenna. He helped explore the problems involving high voltage power transmission lines, and in the late 70's developed the Inuit trail radio system, giving hunters a communications link to their northern communities when out on the land.

 

jackoh.jpg (14228 bytes)Outside of work, Jack’s other great enthusiasm is amateur radio. He has been a licenced ham radio operator since 1947 and is the principal operator behind VE3DRC (now VY9DRC) since its establishment at Shirley’s Bay, Ontario, in 1956. The amateur radio club at CRC often brought members into the woods behind the campus where Jack was always the first to volunteer for the high-wire act. Nimble as an acrobat, Jack was known to climb a 250 foot radio tower and to clamber to the top of the highest tree to set up radio wires.

 

Jack’s love for early Canadian radio history allowed him to raise awareness for Reginald Aubrey Fessenden’s experiments and achievements, including the first successful two-way transatlantic radio telegraphy transmission. Among other things, Jack created the Industry Canada Fessenden Postgraduate scholarships to commemorate this radio pioneer and encourage young engineers to continue their radio science studies.

 

Jack has successfully evolved into the Information Society, sporting as many as three computers in his office at any given time and exploiting their computational capabilities to the maximum. He also put his article on Fessenden’s work on the Internet in the very early days of the World Wide Web.

 

Forty-two years of service spans an era of enormous change in the world of scientific research. It is a remarkable achievement that Jack was able to continue his research so intensely while providing a leadership management role at DRTE and CRC for almost the entire period of his service, retiring as Director of Radio Sciences only a year ago. He is a tireless advocate of radio science both at CRC and throughout the international community.

 

Obituary - Avis de décès

John (Jack) Skelton Belrose

1926 - 2024

jackawd.jpg (14050 bytes)Passed away peacefully at The Glebe Centre, on September 19, 2024. Jack, in his 98th year, beloved husband of Denise Belrose (née Fénal) for 68 years. Loving father of Katherine (Rawi Zayadi), John, and Patrick (Wendi Belrose). He will be warmly remembered by his grandchildren - Alexa, Josh, and Jesse - and his family in the United States and France for his gentle demeanor, sense of humor, and love of the outdoors. He was predeceased by sister, Ruth (Belrose, Robinson) Kelso.

Born in Warner, Alberta, Jack developed a passion for radio communications during his teen years and became a licensed radio amateur in 1947 (VE7QH, then VE3BLW and until recently, VE2CV/VE3CVV). He enjoyed the company of his amateur radio colleagues and regularly tuned in for midnight "skeds" and volunteered for Field Days.

After completing his BASc in Electrical Engineering and MASc at the University of British Columbia, Jack joined the Defense Research Board's Radio Propagation Laboratory (RPL) in Ottawa. He was awarded an Athlone Fellowship in 1953 and was accepted as a PhD candidate by St. John's College, Cambridge University, to study with the late J.A. Ratcliffe, then Head of the Radio Group, Cavendish Laboratories.

Jack received his PhD from the University of Cambridge (PhD Cantab) in Radio Physics in 1958. He returned to Ottawa where he continued a lifelong career in Radio Science with the Communications Research Centre, Shirley's Bay. When he retired, he was Director of the Radio Sciences Branch.

Throughout his years at CRC, Jack greatly appreciated the help of his team of scientists and technologists as they pursued all sorts of research relating to radio propagation, solar eclipse activity, and Canada's early satellite program. Projects dear to his heart included the development of trail radio in Canada's North and later, in retirement, recreating the experiments of Reginald Aubrey Fessenden, a Canadian-American radio pioneer.

Jack served as Deputy Chairman and then Chairman of the AGARD Electromagnetic Propagation Panel from 1979-83. He was a Fellow Member of the Radio Club of America, a Life Member of the Antique Wireless Association and the Quarter Century Wireless Association, and a Life Senior Member of the IEEE (Antennas and Propagation Society). At the 98th annual meeting of the Radio Club of America, in November 2007, he was awarded The Armstrong Medal for his contributions to radio art and science.

A celebration of Jack's life will take place with family and friends in November. The family wishes to thank The Glebe Centre and its staff for the exceptional care he received for the past three years. For those who wish, contributions in Jack's memory may be directed to The Glebe Centre or a charity of your choice.

 

Links   -   Liens