How do you spend your time at work?
I work in the development team and provide product support to our internal and external sales. Customer technical support is another important part of my role.
What’s the one gadget that you can’t live without?
Predictably, I guess, my smartphone, which allows me to keep up to date while out of the office.
Describe your most unforgettable project.
An antenna retuning exercise on locomotives at Carnforth rail depot for the Scotrail West Highland and Far North RETB radio token system.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen in the sector?
Some of the poor-quality vehicle installations, which is why FCS runs the FITAS scheme (installer training and accreditation) to improve standards.
What advice would you give to anyone starting in the industry?
Be curious, find out more about what you might be working on to get a better understanding of the application or whole system. Make use of colleagues’ knowledge and experience, and remember – every day is a learning day.
How has your role changed since you started working?
Customers expect me to have good overall knowledge of the wireless technology they employ as antenna requirements get more complex.
What do you do in your free time to relax?
Time with my family and sailing. I am Rear Commodore at Rickmansworth Sailing Club, which is in a lovely location and a great place to spend time, on or off the water. I am also controller of North London RAYNET, which is part of the RAYNET-UK emergency radio network, which provides radio comms support in crisis situations or safety cover for community events.
John has been with Panorama Antennas for more than 22 years and non-executive director at FCS for 10 years. Previously he was technical services manager at Talkland International. He started work as an apprentice with Post Office Telephones.
