My days as a Communications Technician in Newfoundland

J had quite a busy and diverse role as a radio technician covering a vast area in Newfoundland. I started in Corner Brook September 16, 1963. MY responsibilities included maintaining and servicing radio telegraph (C/W) and radio telephone (R/T) sets across a large geographical region.

Here's a summary of my tasks and experiences:

• Geographical Coverage: My area of responsibility extended from Sandy Point on the Port Au Port Peninsula up around the Great Northern Peninsula and down to Hampton in the bottom of White Bay. This required extensive travel and management of radio equipment spread across remote locations.
• Battery Replacement: Since all of the radio sets were battery-operated, I had to change the batteries at least twice a year. This involved planning and logistics to ensure you had replacement batteries available for the various locations you serviced.
• Equipment Maintenance and Relocation: In addition to battery replacements, I was responsible for maintaining and relocating radio sets as needed. This included moving equipment between different locations, such as Country Cove and Pollards Point, and installing new antennas to ensure optimal performance.
• Diverse Installation Locations: The radio sets were installed in various settings, including private homes, shops, and even post offices. This required working in different environments and adapting installations to fit the available space, whether it was in kitchens, living rooms, porches, or bedrooms.
• Travel and Logistics: Given the extensive geographical area I covered, I often had to rent a car to travel to remote locations and carry equipment and replacement parts with me. This required careful planning and organization to ensure I could efficiently complete my tasks.

Overall, my role as a radio technician in Corner Brook involved a combination of technical expertise, logistical planning, and hands-on maintenance to ensure reliable communication infrastructure across a wide-ranging territory. My experiences highlight the challenges and importance of maintaining vital communication networks in remote and rural areas during that time period.