Martin Parks

Martin Parks attended West Buckland School from 1967 to 1970, where he was selected to play the character Boy in Bathroom along side George Cole. He had the scripted line " Now! and we have had it. " following the request from Mr Newbold (George Cole) as to what time was Breakfast. Martin Parks was subsequently paid by the BBC for his part in the play. Martin Parks left West Buckland School with 2 'O' Levels and became a Radar Trainee Technician for Airwork Services Ltd. Four years later he joined the MoD at the Signals Research and Development Establishment at Christchurch Dorset. He resigned in 1977 to study for a Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at as was then Portsmouth Polytechnic (now University) passing out with an Upper Second Class Honours Degree. Following his degree he joined the Independent Broadcasting Authority from 1981 to 1992, installing and commissioning microwave link equipment across the country. He resigned to further his studies at the University of Surrey, studying for a PhD in Satellite Engineering. His Thesis Title; Wideband Propagation Channel Characterisation Applicable to Mobile Satellite Systems at L and S Bands. Some of his research work has been referenced in a Text Book Antennas and Propagation for Wireless Communication System, by Dr S.R. Saunders. Following his PhD he worked a couple of years as a Research Fellow at the University of Surrey and then went on to work for Matra-Marconi Space from 1997 to 2014 which the Company had several name changes to become Airbus Defence and Space. During his time there he developed the RF aspects to the Satellite Modem that is used by Skynet 5, he also designed the airborne version of this Satellite Modem. He retired in 2014 to spend more time with his wife on their smallholding in the New Forest.