David Pickering
I’m a Senior Telecoms and IT Specialist for a global employer
I have been an international radio, electronics and IT specialist since 1986 and have worked for organisations worldwide on projects from very high power electrical control systems, specialist and bespoke radio systems, electronics design and secure IT systems. Currently, I work professionally with Radio communications equipment, designing and installing digital VHF networks amongst other modes and frequencies. I design and maintain very large bespoke wireless networks and Point to Point links as well as the mundane day to day server based IT of domains, servers and clients.
What I can say to those who are interested is that to keep at the forefront of all technologies is extremely difficult. Specialise in say, new IT Firewall technologies for a a few months and you find the telecoms world has changed with the introduction of new emerging technologies. So its always a game of catching up.
The nature of my varied job means I have to spend very long periods away from home and family and I don’t get to take my hobby with me for obvious reasons. I can’t exactly turn-up with large aerials and radio equipment in a foreign country claiming just to listen to Radio Amateurs on Short Wave. Eyebrows will be raised and I am sure if I was in their position, I would be suspicious too.
Still, there is always the internet and one of my (many) projects is my own web radio server so I can still remotely tune around to radio signals picked up in the North West UK.
Here I am at work in Mali, West Africa setting up TRBOnet Computer Aided Dispatch system on a MotoTRBO Capacity Plus Multi-site DMR system. July 2017
Here’s another of a Cyber Café in East Niger that I built. Besides the connectivity, it is totally off-grid powered by solar.
Demonstrating the accessibility inside a Motorola DR3000 repeater accessing the RF connectors at a VHF Repeater site in Bangladesh.
Sometimes I get to really remote places. This is Wawa on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua after a Tsunami hit
Then I am asked to present to the world’s media. One thing I love doing is audience interaction, forget just reading a script, I come down off the stage and walk amongst the audience. It encourages people listen rather than stare at their phone.
Where were you during Covid? I was trapped in quarantine in Manilla. This was my only view of the Philippines. So its not glamourous at all doing this travelling lark especially when you’re the only guest left in a massive deserted hotel.
Then when you do get to go out, visit a live volcano near Managua.
Installing a point to point link and local access point to an emergency shelter on Union Island in the The Grenadines, Caribbean 2024.