My time as a
Radio operator
by Robert English
(Scroll down for photos)
I began my career at Radio
Electronics Center – King Edward High School - Room 19 and obtained a
Second-Class Radio Operators certificate in December 1962 along with an
Advanced Amateur Certificate with call letters VE7ACP.
I was hired by The Department of Transport and sent to Air Services Training
School in Ottawa in June of 1966. Class RO41.
Returning to British Columbia, my first station was Williams Lake Aeradio, I
met “Flying Phil”. I was in the Operators pool and did not stay long. Next
was Kimberley Aeradio. We handled Cranbrook Airport.
As VE7ACP I was in contact with a lot of northern stations, so it was only
fitting that I apply for a northern posting.
That came about with a transfer to JAWS Isachsen in April 1967. (RCAF
Hercules number 19). Namao, Mould Bay, Isachsen. Thirteen months later, a
flight on PWA’s Hercules (CF-PWO) to Resolute Bay. Then an interesting
flight from Resolute to Montreal via Frobisher Bay, on a Lockheed Super
Constellation. Trans Canada Airlines to Vancouver a five-thousand-mile
flight, and never left Canada. There were two seasons, Snow or Mud.
Princeton Aeradio was next for fourteen months. Big Moths on the window
screens at night. Then I wanted to try the Weather Ships. So, CCGS Quadra at
the end of 1969. The Pacific Ocean has a lot of water.
Vancouver Marine/Aeradio 1970, then transferred to Nanaimo Aeradio for four
months, the summer of 1970, I really liked Nanaimo. I drove a 1970 Mustang
Boss302 with a ICOM IC20 on 2-meters.
Tofino Coast Guard/Radio was next (1970-1978), I wrote the Level three exam
and had my license endorsed and I finally had a permanent station. A very
satisfying station, we saved a lot of people over the years. I rolled the
Boss in 1975 being a bad boy.
Eight years later, I needed a change and was offered Kamloops Flight
Service. After Tofino, which was a working station, going to Kamloops was an
eye opener, many days I ate lunch in the car going home after work.
Yes, Kamloops for the next sixteen years 1978-1996. I retired at age 55.
Pulled up stakes in 1998 and moved to Prince Edward Island, and presently I
live in Riverview NB. I now have Amateur Radio call-sign VE9CBR.
Robert English
7 October 2024