Local resident and long-time radio amateur Bob Beebe has been elected as the 77th President of the Radio Society of Great Britain.
Bob (pictured) is the first person from the Channel Islands to hold this prestigious national position.
Bob has been a member of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) for over 50 years and has volunteered with the organisation for more than three decades.
Bob said: “It is both an honour and a privilege to lead and serve the Society, which represents licensed radio amateurs across Great Britain. With over 450 volunteers and a small but dedicated team at RSGB headquarters, the next two years promise to be both busy and exciting.”
In one of his first duties as RSGB President, Bob attended the centenary celebrations of the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), held in Paris.
Bob continued: “In the last 100 years the progress of wireless communication has been extraordinary, but now we must look forward. We need to safeguard the radio spectrum and ensure the next generation of innovators have every opportunity to flourish and shape the future of communication technology. Our growing Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach programme, educational initiatives and partnerships are a vital part of our strategy to do this.”
Bob, who holds the radio call sign GU4YOX, will serve a two-year term as President. He is also permitted to use the special call sign GB4RS during his presidency, which is expected to attract global interest from the amateur radio community when ‘on the air’.
Prior to taking on the role of RSGB President, Bob had a 48-year career in the energy industry. However, retiring in January has meant he is able to focus fully on his position with the RSGB. He has also been deeply involved in local community work, serving as Chairman of The Friends of Guernsey Music Centre and The Bridge Project for a combined 20 years, supporting young people in music and personal development.
Bob added: “Radio has been a foundation throughout my life. It’s incredibly rewarding now to help others in a new way, especially young people who wish to discover the excitement of becoming a licensed radio amateur and unlocking the world of STEM.”
