Frank Mitchell

Frank spent most of his working career with BT in the transmission of all types of signals, including analogue and digital signals over copper wire, coaxial cables, radio and fibre optic cables.  All signals degrade over length and have to be amplified or regenerated to ensure they reach their destination at an intelligible level, all this meant maintaining the equipment whether it was underground or overhead, which meant occasionally going down manholes, up poles or radio masts or long treks in tunnels to fix or maintain the equipment.   Most of his time though was spent in the various transmission stations fixing electronic equipment, equalising circuit signals for local radio and TV stations for smooth and clear transmission. A good number of years were spent working on 24 hour rotational shifts and being called out at a moments notice to attend some minor to catastrophic failures particularly in the dead of night.  As technology moved on he took to self learning computers and the various tools that allowed remote testing culminating in helping manage a team in a central control unit that ultimately monitored almost half of the UK.  Such was his expertise senior management relied on him to manage some very difficult escalation tasks on their behalf.  Moving on Frank became more involved in various project work and helping to evolve restructuring of the network and tools to assist with maintenance efficiency. Sadly ill health forced him to retire from his beloved career.  After several years recuperating he looked at other ways of keeping occupied and through this stumbled upon ECFM.  Having a 'technical mind' he joined the technical team in 2014 just when the station was in the evolving stage of installing their new equipment.  Whilst he knew nothing about how a radio station actually worked he quickly learned the hard way, after being forced into the 'deep end' when the then technical team left to pursue a new career/job.  From door knobs to computing and everything technical and a Trustee, Frank soldiers on with the help of the team and maintaining the weekly system schedule and training of new volunteers as well as helping out with broadcasting! Hobbies include, computing, photography, and video which he pursued professionally, electronics, gardening and relaxing if he gets the chance!