How do you spend your time at work?
Commissioning voice and data radio systems. They’re all application-based so I work with clients to integrate alarms, building controls and voice over IP into existing onsite systems. This is over a multitude of sectors and locations including iconic buildings, large retail complexes and super-yachts!
What do you think has been your most unforgettable project so far?
Liverpool One – it was our first multi-site Linked Capacity Plus system with an extremely complex DAS system. It is the only site we and Motorola Solutions have done where there are four sites with full overlapping coverage.
What has been the most unusual thing that you have seen while working in the radio sector?
Being offered AK-47 machine guns in Saudi Arabia while installing a radio system for a prince, or seeing the solid gold bird cages that a prince kept his falcons in, in the holding part of a jumbo jet while putting in a radio system.
How has your role changed since you started working within the radio industry?
When I first started, all aligning and tuning was done manually – it’s all software-controlled now.
What advice would you give a young radio engineer who’s starting their first job?
Embrace the technology and find out what part of ‘radio’ you enjoy, whether that’s working at a bench or onsite with clients – find the right part for you, and get involved.
What do you do to relax?
I really enjoy DIY and I’m building a 4x10m summer house for my daughter. I also really enjoy films and music – I love all genres of music except for punk!
Bernie studied a radio communications course at Riversdale College, Liverpool, before doing an apprenticeship with PYE telecoms in Cambridge. He now has more than 30 years’ experience in voice and data comms, and prior to working for DCRS he worked on projects all over the world.
