Herbie Yeldham, G6XOU – 7 April 2025

Herbie passed away peacefully on the 7th of April, just a few days shy of his 90th birthday. His was a life filled with curiosity, generosity, and quiet brilliance – a legacy that resonates deeply across the amateur radio community and far beyond.

Though he wore many hats throughout his life, it was his lifelong passion for radio that defined him for so many. That journey began on the family farm in Burnham, Essex, a place he would one day take over from his father and manage with pride. As a child during the war years, Herbie was captivated by mysterious crackles and signals coming from a nearby military outpost, where soldiers were stationed to guard the estuary from potential invasion. One fateful day, he was invited into one of the huts – an experience that would change the course of his life.

Inside, he found himself surrounded by an astonishing array of radio receivers, transmitters, and glowing equipment. The soldiers, amused and touched by the boy’s fascination, showed him how the gear worked and even let him try it for himself. From that moment, Herbie was hooked. He returned to the hut often, learning more each time, and when the war ended, some of the soldiers installed equipment in his bedroom – a gift beyond imagination for a young boy with a spark of wonder in his heart.

That spark never dimmed. From CB radio to earning his full amateur licence, Herbie’s love of radio became both vocation and community. His call sign, G6XOU, would go on to be recognised and respected across the world. He was a long-standing and proud member of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), Colchester Radio Amateurs (CRA), and Short-Wave Listeners (SWL) groups.

Herbie served with dedication on the committee of CRA, always ready to offer advice, mentorship, and encouragement. He ran numerous nets, participated in global HF contests, and was a constant voice of warmth and knowledge on the airwaves. Newcomers found a welcoming guide in Herbie; seasoned operators found a wise and dependable peer.

His signal, though now silent, lingers in the ether. The strength of his character, the depth of his knowledge, and the kindness he extended to all – these will continue to echo through the bands he loved so dearly.

Rest in peace, Herbie G6XOU. May your signal travel on, ever strong, into the infinite skies.

A life measured in megahertz and marked by inspiration.

Richard Naden

G0NAD

Colchester Radio Amateur Club Chairman

Category: Silent Keys