Why "About Me"?. Isn't that being pretentious?

My working career started in the Post Office Telecomms as an apprentice. After the 3 years apprenticeship finished, I was placed in a job position that I found did not find fulfilling. A year later, I went back to college to do a Marine Radio course with a view to becoming an Radio Officer in the Merchant Navy. Whist at college I passed the Amateur Radio examinations and got the callsign G3ZON - which I still hold.

I did six years at sea working for the New Zealand Shipping Company, which was amalgamated into P and O (General Cargo Division) during that time.

After leaving the sea, I joined Redifon Ltd in the service department, in which I also did some production work, also onsite visits UK and Overseas. Whilst here I became interested in computers, and got hold of a Sinclair ZX81. The company moved and therefore made me redundant.

My interest in home computers got me my next employment, a shop dealing with the BBC computer, and I ran the workshop. Employment suddenly ceasing after having a "meaningful discussion" about having printer paper for the workshop printer, with the owners female partner.

After some months of unemployment, I joined Lucas Bradley Electronics, and apart from their core business of repair and calibration of test equipment, also made specialist aerials for the Royal Navy surface and underwater vessels.

I was poached back by Rediffusion Radio Systems, rejoining the same department, and imparting my knowledge to other members of staff. Whilst there it was becoming clearer that the future was in computers, not so much radio communications.

There was a job "open evening" Gatwick Airport, and after a second interview, was offered a new position in the Flight Information Computer Room. I feel that I got the postion because of my practical experience and being able to work on equipment down to component level. I never looked back from that day. I was initially part of a three man team, ending up as "one man operation".

I was there for 21 years, carrying out a multitude of roles. I will have to summerize these as follows:

Design. Small specialist data comms equipment. Computer based information systems. 

Installation. Installation of small and large systems, including interconnectivity. This included a computer room (still in everyday use).

Software. Working with my then Line Manager, who wrote software for the systems we developed. We would discuss the software with a view to making it very "user friendly", this would be followed by me trying to break it. I found that I had an ability to break software, which resulted in very robust software.

Administration. I also administered the flight information systems and check in systems servers. One of my tasks was the creation of check in desk logos from basic artwork submitted by the airlines. These are still in use.

Support. I was second line support for the systems I looked after, and in addition provided 24 hr 365 days support for the electronics technicians.

Project Management. I did some small project management, and consulted for technical input for projects by others.

So there we are, a potted history of myself.

Thank You for taking the time to read this.

To download my CV you will need a name and password. If you do not have  it. please click on "Contact Me" and I will provide it.