D4ADZ 1946 Deutschland

The operator was Roland A. "Rollie" Desjardins, D4ADZ, later W1PSK, Silent Key (1926-2012).

Rolands' high school graduation was delayed when, at 17, he was drafted into WWII. He trained with Company “B” Seventh Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Wheeler, Georgia where he qualified as an “Expert” Rifleman. He served overseas as radio repairman and Army tank operator on the European front in Germany. His decorations and citations include: European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

Once the War ended, Roland returned to Auburn, Maine to complete his last year of high school. Upon completion of High School, Roland furthered his education in Broadcast Engineering at both Devries University in Chicago, then at RCA Institute in New York. He then returned overseas to Germany to work as a technical representative for the Philco Corporation and then served two years with the signal corps in Europe. He returned to the States to work as an engineer at WCSH TV, Channel 6 in Portland, Maine. Roland returned to his home in Auburn, Maine when he acquired the position of Chief Engineer for WCBB TV.

In 1991 Roland was recognized for his work in pioneering descriptive video service when the television station received an Emmy award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in engineering development.

Roland stayed with the company for 31 years, until his retirement in 1992, as Vice President and Director of Engineering. He continued as a consultant for many years after his retirement.

During his entire life, Roland enjoyed his hobby of ham radio operator. His early WWII call was D4ADZ.  Most of his Ham friends remember him as W1PSK – “Peter, Sugar, King,” or “Pappa, Sierra, Kilo.”

QSL W6YA Collection
Info courtesy of W5KNE