Don - VE3KII

Don has been around Amateur Radio for most of my life but did not obtain a call (VE3KII) until 1978. Upgraded to Advance and 15 WPM cw in 1980. (Dad was VE3AJH (SK) licenced in 1938). My career always involved electronics and radio. First year out of school, work included tv and radio repair and maintaining Ontario Provincial Police base and mobile radios. Joined Bell Telephone Company of Canada in 1956 and spent the next 40 years progressing from mobile telephones to maintaining 4 Ghz. microwave equipment on the Trans Canada Microwave. Many assignments over the years involved backbone microwave systems in the 2 to 10 Ghz. Also did installation and acceptance work for the communications equipment used on the Pine Tree Radar Warning Network and SAGE Systems. A year in Labrador introduced me to 10 KW tropospheric scatter systems used primarily for military traffic. Returning to civilization my responsibilities included accepting backbone heavy route microwave systems after their installations were completed. Provided a similar function on the first digital microwave equipment being placed in service by Bell. As time progressed, I became associated with the engineering layouts and installation of data transmission equipment in Bell Central offices throughout Ontario and Quebec. Last project before retirement in 1995 I was responsible for the update of communications equipment to eight remote First Nations villages in North-Western Ontario. Lots of fun as I moved from tubes to transistors to IC’s.     After retirement set in, I volunteered for three years as V.P Industrial Liaison for the Radio Amateurs of Canada and was the R.A.C’s  delegate to the Radio Advisory Board of Canada. Management of R.F spectrum allocation in Canada for all services was determined by this group. My association with the Comsont net, now the Canadian-American Net started in 1996 as an occasional check-in and occasionally acting as a net controller. In July of 2003 I became the NetManager until April 2021. During my time as the manager, I was a net controller which I continue to do. The station consists of a Kenwood 590S, TS50S, MJF tuner and a G5RV antenna. Got back into CW several years ago and enjoy using the original digital mode. One of the best hobbies ever. Other interests are photography and fishing but that’s another story.    A very important part of my life are my wife of sixty three years, and our fantastic three children, their spouses, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.  (Ed. Note)  Don is one of the most dedicated to our net and brings a wealth of support to us. It is very much appreciated.