Bio Page
My name is Gary J. Melvin. I live outside the small north central Illinois town of Mount Morris (pop. 3,100).
I'm an Electrical Engineer (BSEE, 12/86, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign). I worked at Honeywell's Micro Switch Division in Freeport, IL from June '87 'til March 2000. In the last 11 years there, my role was an Automation Engineer. From March 2000 until October 2001 I worked for a small company in Rockford (IL) programming micro controllers to do fuel injection and spark control on industrial engines. As of October 2001, I've been doing independent software contracting under the business name of GarMel Technologies.
I hold an Advanced Class Amateur Radio License - N9AUW. I earned my ham license in the late '70s while in the USAF stationed at Zweibrücken AB, Germany. Until I returned to the US in August of '80, I held a German callsign - DA4ES. I'm a member of the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL).
While in the USAF at Keesler AFB, Biloxi MS, I earned my Private Pilots license in '77 at Keelser Aero Club. I'm presently active at Ogle County Airport (C55), keeping acftive in EAA Chapter 682 and Rock River Flyers. Until I started my family, I flew quite a bit for Rock River Valley Skydivers. I was a pilot for the Ogle County Sheriff until insurance industry greed forced the department to sell the airplane. I'm a member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc. (AOPA) and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).
I'm active in the Disciples United Methodist Church (Mount Morris) where I'm presently serving as the treasurer.
On many projects, I collaborate with a friend, Brian Mork - our projects range from aviation to home automation. He's an interesting guy - check out his web page.
Some of my other interests lie in the following areas:
Click here to email me about any of the above areas.