[D.J.J. Ring, Jr.]

Halifax Coast Guard Radio (VCS)

1,2 photos: the Halifax Coast Guard Radio operations building and Transmitter Site Pennant in Ketch Harbour, Nova Scotia from 1988 until 1996.

Photo 3,4. November 19th, 1996. Vernon Hillier was the longest serving radio operator on the station’s staff and for that reason was given the opportunity to make the last and final transmission. He was an excellent choice and the only other I would have considered, besides Vern, would have been Richard Falvey. Rick, his father Ernie, his uncle, Pat, and his aunt, Marjorie, had all worked at the station at one time or another. They were the most from the one family. The last officer in charge, and they had gone back to that label was Bruce Warren. Bruce had started his career as a naval radioman. He was stationed on the West Coast and had sailed in HMCS MACKENZIE with call sign CGYZ. While Vern was making this final transmission some Coast Guard employees were boarding up the outside of the windows with plywood. They had with them a large lock and key for the two gates down by the road, although the technicians remained in the building for some months cleaning up and cleaning out. 

 The final message was: 

 CQ CQ CQ DE VCS VCS VCS = FINAL BROADCAST ON 500 KHZ. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE OVER THE YEARS. THE RADIO OPERATORS OF VCS WISH YOU A SAFE VOYAGE. 73 DE VCS + 

from the book MARITIME MEMORIES by Spurgeon G."Spud" Roscoe VE1BCI

[Michael Zbrozek]

Hello Former Radio Officers -

I am surprised that nobody has dropped a message concerning all those hundreds of ships awaiting to pass

thru the straights of Hormuz.?Some ships are empty and others have cargo whether they are tankers or

bulk cargo ships. You guys have not said anything at all? I am happy that I dont sail anymore because

I would not want to sit there while the ship is running out of food and fresh water. My career ended in 1996 and I am

happy to be home. No more bad food, bad wx, or nasty anti-Radio Officer Captains. 

This Iran War has turned out to be more difficult than Trump could have imagined. The Iranians do not give up easily.

Comments welcome from all.....

73

Mike K8XF

Redirecting to Google Groups

Redirecting to Google Groups

[msta...@comcast.net]

Trump plats poker, Iran plays chess...

Mike N2MS

> On 05/14/2026 5:42 PM EDT 'Michael Zbrozek' via Radio Officers <radio-o...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
>
> > Hello Former Radio Officers -
> >
> > I am surprised that nobody has dropped a message concerning all those hundreds of ships awaiting to pass
> > thru the straights of Hormuz.?Some ships are empty and others have cargo whether they are tankers or
> > bulk cargo ships. You guys have not said anything at all? I am happy that I dont sail anymore because
> > I would not want to sit there while the ship is running out of food and fresh water. My career ended in 1996 and I am
> > happy to be home. No more bad food, bad wx, or nasty anti-Radio Officer Captains.
>
> This Iran War has turned out to be more difficult than Trump could have imagined. The Iranians do not give up easily.
> Comments welcome from all.....
> >
> >
> > 73
> > Mike K8XF
> >
> >
> >
> >

> > Redirecting to Google Groups (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/radio-officers)
> >
> >
> >
> > Redirecting to Google Groups (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!contactowner/radio-officers)
> >
> >
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