THE RADIO OPERATOR < SK>

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

THE RADIO OPERATOR

Invisible voice, heart of the ship

was quiet comfort.

Once upon a time, in a small cabin filled with strange and constant sounds, a solitary man watched over the fate of the ship. He was the Radio Operator.

In that narrow space, surrounded by machines whispering in Morse code, he lived between two worlds: the ship around him and the vast silence beyond the waves. The soft murmur of the sea blended with the steady pulse of the telegraph. Lights flashed. Signals came and went. He was always there listening.

No voyage could begin without him. No journey felt safe unless his headphones were on, his fingers dancing over the key. With dots and dashes, he gave voice to the invisible-sending messages to ports, to distant lands, to those waiting ashore. In those short signals lived orders, hopes, emergencies, and hellos.

On the 500 kHz frequency, he didn't just hear the sea-he heard voices lost in the dark. He was the keeper of SOS calls, always ready, always alert. Always alone.

But he offered more than skill. He

Human presence. When voice radio arrived in the '60s, he became a lifeline between families-carrying trembling words, imagined smiles. He stayed in the background, a silent witness, holding every word like a sacred trust.

Then came progress. And with it, silence.

On December 31, 1997, Morse code fell quiet. And with it, the Radio Operator vanished.

Submitted by Dr Jim Kennedy, K2PHD.

DR. JAMES KENNEDY IS A RECIPIENT OF THE PRESIDENT'S 2023 "VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD "in recognition and appreciation for his committment to strengthen our nation and communities through volunteer service."

He is co-author of four books: "Security in a Web 2.0 World - a Standards Based Approach" by Wiley Publishing (2009), the "Black book of Corporate Security" by Larstan Publishing(2005) and of "Disaster Recovery Planning - a primer" (2004), and author of the e-book "Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery - Conquering the Catastrophic," and published over 100 articles on cyber security and computer/telecommunications during

emergencies and disasters.

He has been an author, professor, and consultant who has been involved with all forms of communication (RF, satellite, digital, telecommunications, and etc.) for over 55 years. He is an industry recognized expert in the field of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery and information/cyber security and a retired professor of the adjunct faculty at County College of Morris' Engineering and Technology Department where he taught for 17 years many diverse computer, networking, infosec, and communications related courses. He is a retired Diplomate of American Board for Certification in Homeland Security and a retired cyber security, critical infrastructure threat analyst, and information security professor for the American College of

Forensic Examiners.

He is a NARTE MASTER Certified Telecommunications Engineer; Master Certified Recovery Planner; CISCO Certified Design Associate; Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, and CRISC certified security & risk management professional; and is certified in Homeland Security at level CHS-IV and is a

Certified Technical Project Manager.

He holds FCC GMDSS Operator License, 2nd Class Commercial Radiotelegraph License and the General Radiotelephone Operator License with Radar endorsement.He was a military (USCG) and commercial radiotelegraph and signals intercept operator circa during the "Cold War."

He is focusing specifically on QRP CW and he hopes to become much more active in his retirement. Hemwas first licensed in 1960 (WV2SVX) later as KA2GTY, and now as K2PHD.

He is the ARRL HUDSON Division, NNJ ARES Section Emergency Coordinator, the AUXCOMM USA Region II RECVC, and he is a member of the Splitrock Amateur Radio Club, USCG Amateur Radio Club, Straight Key Century Club (#5669T), North American QRP CW Club (#9194), FISTS (#18988), MORSE #45, 4SQRP (#1522), Rag Chewers Club, Quarter Century Wireless Assoc. (# 21341), Old Old Timers Club (#4697), Flying Pigs (#3958), Life Member of the Long Island CW Club (#4632), QRP, ARES- DEC, RACES Deputy RO, SKYWARN, AUXCOMM USA REGION II RECVC and can be reached by e-mail at K2...@arrl.net

A ham for over 65 years in 2025!