Graduate of the Transport Canada Training Inistitute (TCTI) Ottawa, class of 76-7, and trained as a dual Aeradio/Marine DOT radio operator (1977-86). Licensed as a Ham in 1994, with Morse code and advanced endorsements.

Coast guard radio officer (1986 to present) at Thunder Bay/VBA MCTS (Marine Communications & Traffic Services Centre). Canadian Coast Guard Radio Stations (CGRS) & Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) amalgamated in the mid 90's. A lot of technology (1980's to 21st century) is crammed into a very small space, with enough flashing lights, buttons, switches, computers and monitors to impress visitors!

The photo is of my "shack" at work. There are 3 identical communication consoles. We normally work single stand in the winter, have 2 ROs on about 9 months of the year and run with 3 ROs during our summer season peak with about 400 distress/urgency and other cases in a "good" year. In the picture, I was sending the station's last ever Morse code transmission (4 November 1998). That handkey now belongs to my coworker Lori, VE3VAI.

In November 2010, Canadian coast guard radio station VBA Thunder Bay (VE3VBA) celebrated 100 years of continuous radio service, using special event callsign CG3MUG. We had a blast working many coast guard and auxiliary stations as well as active and retired RO's. It was a great way to cap off my 35-year career as I'm retiring in 2012. In the next few years, all the knobs, buttons, dials and switches will disappear and everything will be run through totally computerized systems, with touch-screen interfaces.

QSL via email (va3rom@rac.ca) or FISTS buro, eQSL.cc, or snail mail.

For more information:: http://my.tbaytel.net/va3rom.

73.