Good morning, all:

Thank you for your interest in reading this bio.

I first learned the code at age nine while at Coney Island, a YMCA day camp, in Salem, MA harbor. My dad, Albert Rene Sirois was Camp Director, and operated on a Pass Card System (PCS) used to measure the training and achievements of the campers on the island. One of the Programs the PCS taught was Communications. We had a Pass Card for Semiphore (a two flag system)and one for Wig-Wag (a one flag system). While facing the person you were sending to, you would hold the (large) single flag in the vertical position which would indicate the stop or end of word position. Dropping the flag to the senders right constituted a "DOT". Dropping the flag to the senders left constituted a "DASH". I learned the MORSE CODE by learning, "WIG-WAG".

I graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1955. While there I learned the Flashing Light communication system at 8 WPM, passed the Coast Guard Exam and received my Third Mates Licence (any tonnage any waters). This proved valuable when hailing the Pilot Boats going in and out of rivers on foreign shore while Mate on the various ships owned by The United States Line Company and United Fruit Company (1955-1957). I also served aboard the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14)as Radio, Crypto and Division Officer in the Operations Department. The balance of over 20 years service was spent in NROS as instructor and student.

It was not until I was employed as Chief Instrument Engineer on the generator project at Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant that I began my interest in getting my Amateur Radio License. I had an uncle, W1AZE- Renald Sirois, now deceased, with whom I visited and discussed my interest. He said we would be able to communicate with him as well as being able to talk with my sons and daughters if they became HAMS. So I pushed on. Now my son Ray is N1RY and brother is N1OPF and we have in the past kept a weekly schedule supporting each other in this hobby.

Although I am currently Maine Public Service Net Manager which meets on 3940 KHZ Sunday morning at 0900 local time; I have been very active in traffic handling for several years 1/st region & eastern area CW nets, while being the primary care provider for my wife, Agnes (deceased in 1998). Other activities in ham radio include: Fists #1272; MARS nnn0wna; NC NEWN.US 3905khz; NC interconnet.org 14.300mhz; Soc.of Wireless Pioneers #5577-M; ARES Cord.Lincoln Cty.Maine; ARC's Lincoln County & Merrymeeting Bay member, www.ks1r.net/mpsn; NC WWCW 7047 khz; Homeland Security ICS-400-A.

I thought I would keep this BIO within the communications sector of Amateur Radio interests. Should anyone wish further knowledge, you may visit my personal WEB cite at "www.linekin.com", and "click" "personal".

I hope you have found this interesting; send me an E-Mail to "N1MHC@arrl.net" should you need additional information or if I can be of help.

Sincerely,

Al Sirois

P.O. Box 2

East Boothbay, ME 04544

207-633-5363