Edward Anthony (Ted) Ruddle ( - )

Ted Ruddle, photographed in September 2005

(Photo: Phil Vabre/CAHS Collection)

 

 


Ted Ruddle
started a life-time career in Radio in 1958 as a Royal Australian Air Force Radio Apprentice. After training, his first operational posting was to Townsville working on Crash Boats, the HF transmitting station and Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems.

In the early sixties Ted did a Darwin tour, working on the Early Warning Radar. After this came a course on Precision Approach Radar (GCA) at USAF Keesler, School of Radio, Biloxi Mississippi. On completion, Ted spent the next decade at RAAF Williamtown on ATC, PAR and navigation systems.

The time came in Ted's career to spend a period at HQ Support Command. Part of this job was two years at the Raytheon factory in Boston for the procurement of a new PAR. On return, Ted helped with maintenance planning and installation of the systems.

After 23 years of Air Force service it was time for a change. In 1981 Ted Ruddle sat and passed the Public Service Board eligibility exams and became a Radio Technical Officer.

Ted's first Australian Public Service (APS) appointment was with the Department of Quality Assurance - Air Force (DQA-AF) at the Government Aircraft Factory, Fisherman's Bend, for a few months. An opportunity then presented itself with the Department of Transport (DOT) as a Radio Technical Officer. From mid-1981 Ted spent time at the ATC Central Training College, Henty House, and working on the Melbourne radar. This association was to last until the end of 1985.

For the period 1986-1987 Ted transferred to Telecom, working in Material Inspections.

In 1988 Ted started nine years at James Cook University's Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, starting out as a Technician and finishing as the Workshop Manager. This period was a very satisfying and challenging period, Ted being deeply involved in support of research and experiments in satellite systems.

Finally, after 38 years in electronics at 55 years and 1 day old, Ted surrendered to voluntary redundancy.

Having moved back to Melbourne, in 2005 Ted discovered the Airways Museum and quickly became a regular volunteer, working mainly on the Museum's old radio and electronic equipment.


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