Communications & Telecommunications
Phone systems, PABX deployment, multi-site network administration, carrier connectivity.
Resume & availability for hire
Michael Vale
20+ years across IP telecommunications, RF / microwave data engineering, and Linux systems administration — in paid roles, self-employment, and long-running open-source contribution. Currently open for hourly, project-based, or retainer engagements.
About
Hands-on engineering, from RF site builds to production Linux.
Michael has gained deep, practical skills and experience across paid and volunteer roles in IP telecommunications, RF engineering (microwave data communications), and Linux administration. He works well independently, embedded in a small team, or in short-burst collaboration — and is comfortable picking up a concrete technical problem and carrying it to a working result.
He is currently returning to work at a minimum of 8 hours per week, with room to scale up as engagements require, and is open to both short consulting jobs and longer ongoing arrangements.
$ whoami --skills
comms: telecommunications, VoIP/PABX, PPPoE/RADIUS billing
rf: microwave datacom, antenna build & design, WISP ops
linux: administration, containers, kernel/cross-compilation
arm: qualcomm snapdragon bring-up, device-tree (dts/dtb), alsa audio
Key Skills
Core capability areas.
IT Administration — Linux
Systems administration, containers, orchestration, reverse proxies, secrets management.
Web Design
Building and maintaining functional, fast, low-friction websites.
Customer Service
Portfolio of small-business clients, direct phone support, staff training and education.
Microwave Data Communications — RF Engineering
Secure microwave datacom sites, antenna build and design, long-range wireless links.
Qualcomm Snapdragon / ARM Enablement
Snapdragon laptop bring-up on Arch Linux ARM: kernel and device-tree (DTS/DTB) work, power states, display, audio, and firmware handoffs.
Experience
Work history.
2024 – Present
Volunteer Systems Administrator
Repair Lab- MikroTik deployment
- Container infrastructure (Docker and Kubernetes), including Jellyfin, Immich, and Frigate
- Caddy reverse proxy
- Vaultwarden password management
- Pi-hole
- NAS platforms: OpenMediaVault and TrueNAS
2022 – 2023
Systems Administration & Telecoms
Jools For Jim Hair and Skin- Maintained phone systems
- Multi-site network administration
2020 – 2022
Systems & Telecoms (Casual)
Bendigo PC Clinic- Setup and deployment of PABX systems for various clients utilising FusionPBX
- Educating and training staff
2015 – 2016
Technician (Part Time)
Bendigo Smart Phones- Repairs to mobile phones and tablets — mostly iPhones, iPads, and Samsung devices
- Internal repairs, screens, and phone faults
2008 – Present
Open-Source Contributor
Not-for-profit online bodies- FreeBSD source code contributor (voluntary) — develop and maintain cross-compilation support for FreeBSD Ports
- ZRouter.org developer (affiliated) — cross-compilation support and porting new devices for hardware support
- pfSense developer (affiliated) — honorary contributor via FreeBSD code forking
2004 – 2012
Founder
Bendimesh — Not for Profit, incorporated association- Connected enthusiasts, homes, businesses, and colleagues via microwave internet
- Secure microwave datacom sites; antenna build, design, and install
- PPPoE + RADIUS shared billing for internet
- Antenna and all-in-one SBC-based embedded radio concepts
- Network build and administration
2002 – 2012
Tech Support — Self Employed
IT Services- Provision of IT support and technical services to keep businesses running
- Grew and maintained a portfolio of small-business clients, with daily phone and on-site consulting
- Liaised with and referred clients to other local IT services
- Sub-contract installation of antennas and cabling for microwave internet connections
Tools & Platforms
Software worked with, hands-on.
Availability
Available now, for a fee.
Michael is open to paid work across Linux administration, VoIP/telecom systems, wireless and RF networking, and general IT support and automation. Rates depend on scope, location, and turnaround — get in touch with a short brief and a quote will follow quickly.
Hourly Consulting
Troubleshooting, one-off fixes, staff training, or advice billed by the hour. Good fit for a single concrete problem.
Fixed-Price Project
PABX/VoIP setup, network builds, RF/antenna installs, or Linux system deployments scoped and quoted up front.
Ongoing Support / Retainer
Regular part-time hours (8+/week) keeping systems, networks, or infrastructure maintained and running.
Personal note: Michael has been managing and improving some health issues, and is now looking to return to paid work at a minimum of 8 hours per week, with flexibility to take on more depending on the engagement.
Referees
References.
Contact details available on request.
Adrian Chadd
Meta (Facebook) — FreeBSD Supervisor
Oleksandr Rybalko
iX Systems / ZRouter — Supervisor
Summer White
Owner/Manager, Repair Lab
Contact / Hire
Have a job that needs doing?
Send a short brief — the systems involved, the problem or goal, and your timeframe — and Michael will reply with a quote or availability. Based in Bendigo, VIC; remote work and travel for on-site RF/network installs both considered.