After school I started working for the Philips company. We build machines for the production of parts for consumer electronics.
Color TV parts in particular. (Deflection-units and HV-transformers.)
Later I started as trouble shooter electronic maintenance on these production machines. And slowly I entered into the digital world.
Production machines got computerized and I studied 'computing & control' learning assembly languages.
I bought my first PC. A TRS-80 from Tandy. I soon started programming in assembly language. My first program was for RTTY reception and transmission. Split screen.
I was 27 when Philips gave me the opportunity to take a daytime IT/ICT course at TU Eindhoven.
After 8 months 'back to school' I took my exam and graduated. Philips offered me a job as an systems programmer, IBM mainframe computers, at the Philips computer center in Eindhoven. (VM/SP, VM/SP HPO, VM/MA, VM/XA & VM/ESA). Great time!
Unfortunately, after 10 years Philips found itself in dire straits and staff had to be cut back. I was also dismissed.
But after 4 months I was hired at Erricson as an IBM systems programmer.
Later, I moved to SAP-, Unix-and Java-programming and mainframe / Unix networking.
I remember the moment I got the first TCP/IP connection between our mainframe(IBM) and Unix up and running. Hi.:-)
Internet did not exist jet!
Great time, but I kept my interest in electronics and combined it with my software skills.
There is so much that I have build (and programmed) over the years.. a fraction of it on this web site.
See "Projects" above in the header.
My old 'shack/workshop'...till 2021 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > New shack / workshop...........
Update: Nov. 2024 My interest in building or repairing electronics has dropped to a very low level. In the meantime
I have 'collected' a large amount of new electronic components 'old stock', such as: ICs (analog and digital), transistors and diodes.
My grab stock. Also various measuring instruments, HAM equipment and audio components. All for sale.. cheap!
The electronic components are probably only of interest to audio- or HAM technicians and other electronics hobbyists.
I made some lists of parts that are looking for a new owner.
The lists are updated from time to time. Take a look and let me know if anything interests you.. :-)