O. ERNEST (ERNIE) BROWN – VA3OEB  QCWA # 29090

 

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Education / Employment History

1941 - Graduated from Canadian Electronics Institute, Toronto, with 2nd Class Certificate of Proficiency in Radio.

1941 - Radio operator on SS MAASDAM of Holland America Line. This ship torpedoed and sunk June 26, 1941.  Assigned to MV TUVA, also of Dutch registry. This ship also torpedoed and sunk Oct. 2, 1941. Time for a career change.

1942 - Employed by Department of Transport as Radio Operator at Ottawa Monitoring Station, intercepting German wireless traffic.

1943 – Transferred to Edmonton Region.  Assigned to Aishihik, Y.T. Radio Range Stn. Duties included CW communications with other stations. 

1944 – Transferred to Winnipeg Region. Assigned to Dafoe, SK, Radio Range Station.

1948 - Promoted to Officer in Charge, Fort Churchill, MB, Radio Range Station. Duties included CW communications with The Pas, MB.

1953 - Promoted to Officer in Charge, Regina, SK, Radio Range Station.

1955 - Promoted to Radio Technician in Winnipeg Regional Office. Duties included maintenance of station equipment at Radio Range stations in the Region, and installing new equipment when required.

1958 – Selected for Radar training to maintain radar systems to be installed at major airports in the Region, (5 sites).

1960 – Promoted to Technician, Electronic, in Ottawa Headquarters of DOT T&E Section, to deal with maintenance of radar systems at airports across Canada.

1966 – Promoted to Chief Instructor, Telecommunications & Electronics, in the Air Services Training School, Ottawa, ON. 

1974 – Assigned to Special Projects in the Telcom Bureau of DOT.

1975 - Named Senior Advisor, Manpower Development in the Telecom Bureau of DOT.

1976 – Retired at end of year after 35 years service with DOT.

 

Amateur Radio History

1948 - First licensed as VE5AM in Dafoe, Saskatchewan. Assigned VE4CP at Fort Churchill, MB.

1960 – Assigned VE3ICP on moving to Ottawa, ON.

1994 - Obtained “initials” call sign VA3OEB

Member of RAC and was a member of CARF.

1977 - Joined OARC. Served as Director in 2003-4.

1997  - Joined QCWA and SOWP.

In retirement, portable operations from a motor home became a major interest from 1978 to 2003. Current activity is on 2M only.

Also a member of QCWA and Chapter 70. Served as Secretary for the 2004 QCWA International Convention Organizing Committee and as a Chapter 70 Director (2003-2006). Presentation “Merchant Navy Sparks” was given at the Chapter 70 May 2005 dinner meeting and presentation “Radio Waves Across The North” was given at the Chapter 70 May 2007 dinner meeting. QCWA “60 Year Licensed” Golden Certificate and lapel pin and QCWA Century Certificate were presented at the Chapter 70 May 2010 dinner meeting.

 

Biography prepared by VE3XK with assistance from VA3OEB                                                                                                                                         2010-11-20