GEORGE
KEITH BEDAL VE3GFI QCWA # 23753 (SK)
Education /
Employment History
Keith started as
a technician working in a Radio-TV service shop in Belleville, Ontario.
1948 - 1988 Keith began a forty-year career at the
Defence Research Board Communications Laboratory at Shirley’s Bay in Ottawa
(later to be Department of Communications). He became a Technical Officer and
worked in the fields of radio propagation studies and computers in Ottawa, at
the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan laboratory and research stations in the high
Arctic. While at CRC, Keith took evening classes at Carleton University and
graduated with a BSc in Mathematics and Physics.
Amateur Radio History
While in high school, Keith was already building
short-wave radios.
1947 - He was first licensed as VE3BPQ. His initial
station was partly home-brewed and partly converted war surplus equipment.
1960-1965 – He operated as VE5KE in Prince Albert.
1965 - On return to Ottawa was assigned the call
sign VE3GFI.
Keith participated in Field Days, provided
communications for various rallies, and the Canadian Ski Marathon. He built a
very effective full-wave 40M loop around his back yard that was effective in
working the Snowbirds in Florida on SSB during the winters. He also was a
regular on the Chapter 70 2M FM Net and ran an automatic packet station
Keith was a member of Ottawa Amateur Radio Club and
served as a Director. He was also a Life Member of QCWA and gave an impressive
1992 presentation showing his colour slides on the High Arctic. Keith also
often attended QCWA Chapter 73 meetings to join his brother Carl - VE3DZB of
Gravenhurst, a member of that chapter.
Keith served as Chapter 70 Secretary-Treasurer in
1994-1997, Director in 1998-1999, and Treasurer in 2001-2004. Keith also
created our first Chapter 70 web site and served as the Chapter 70 Web Master.
During that period Keith was at most QCWA events with camera in hand taking
event photos for the web site. He even attended a number of the QCWA
conventions and became well-known among the international attendees. He was
presented with his “60 Year Licensed” Golden Certificate and lapel pin at the
May 2007 dinner meeting and the Century Certificate at the May 2008 dinner
meeting.
Keith was also an accomplished pianist. His
sing-songs were very popular among residents at the local retirement homes and
his home-baked cookies and butter tarts were very popular at a number the
Chapter 70 Executive meetings held at his home.
Keith passed away on December 9, 2009 at age 83
years.