In 1992 I took the Basic Amateur Radio Operating Test and passed. I had become a licensed Amateur Radio Operator and choice the call sign VE3FMC. I choice that call as I worked for Ford Motor Company and thought it would be an easy call to remember and others would remember it too.

I started off as a No Code Basic and slowly worked my way up to the highest license class in Canada, 12 WPM Advanced.

I have my ARRL WAS 75 M endorsement, not an easy task with a low antenna, 100 watts and plenty of local noise. 

          My current station consists of a new Icom 718 HF Radio, along with an LDG AT-7000 automatic antenna tuner. An Astron RS20 power supply powers the radio. I use a homemade multi band G5RV antenna for HF. I had the pleasure of having a CW QSO with Louis Varney, G5RV. It was nice to be able to have that QSO with him.

 I am married, my wife and I celebrated our 25th anniversary in May 2007. We were blessed with two beautiful and intelligent girls, who are now 23 and 19. We live in St Thomas Ontario, which is located 12 miles north of Lake Erie shoreline and approximately half way between Detroit MI and Toronto Ontario.

I worked for Ford Motor Company for 28 years. In May 2007 I was offered a buyout, along with 800 other employees. Our assembly plant, which builds all the Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria’s was going to one shift. So Ford offered the senior employees the cash buyout along with a cash incentive to buy a new Ford vehicle. Plus our pensions and benefits of course. Out the door I went!

I now work part time at a private golf course. I am the Back Shop Manager, in charge of the storage of clubs, golf carts etc. This is the perfect job for me as I love to play golf. I average over 100 rounds a season, which is pretty good considering the length of the golf season here in Southern Ontario.

If you hear me check into The Chew please give me a call if you can copy and we can have a QSO down the band. Or you can check my personal website at http://home.golden.net/~ve3fmc/. Please drop me an email if you stop by and visit my website, I’d love to hear your comments.