6 Jan 2025 – GB2RS, the RSGB’s news service, celebrating 70 years, by some of the team
The presentation
This presentation is all about the RSGB’s news service ‘GB2RS’ that is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025. Over 100 volunteers broadcast the RSGB news every Sunday, across the amateur bands using a variety of modes.
There’s a look back at the pioneering days of the early broadcasts before coming right up to date with how today’s news is prepared and broadcast every week. The presentation will explain how the script is compiled and Pete, G0PNM gives his perspective as a Newsreader.
There will be a look at plans for the 70th anniversary and how you can get involved. RSGB Awards Manager Lindsay Pennell, GI3KME introduces a series of special GB2RS awards for you to chase. To wrap up, the team considers GB2RS in the modern media environment and how new technologies in amateur radio are being embraced.
About the presenters
Steve Richards, G4HPE
Steve is a lifelong member of the RSGB and was appointed GB2RS News Manager in December 2020.
He graduated with an honours degree in Electronic Communications and worked at the BBC for 40 years, firstly as a sound engineer then for most of his career in Outside Broadcasts as a sound supervisor and on-site Engineering Manager.
Steve has been a GB2RS Newsreader since the early 1990s and has been a RAYNET-UK controller as well as working in the field of international amateur radio disaster relief.
Now recently retired, Steve shares his time between his RSGB responsibilities and a range of musical commitments. He is on the air daily and particularly enjoys the higher level datamodes, as well as HF in general and taking part in Worked All Britain (WAB) activities.
Lindsay Pennell, G8PMA
Lindsay has been licensed since 1978, originally as G8PMA but since early 2024 as GI3KME (using his late father’s call).
He is the Society’s Operating Awards Manager and is also Bureau sub-manager for G1, G2 and G3G-L.
His operating interests are mainly on HF using digimodes and SSB, aerial experimenting, and of course awards-chasing.
Pete Sobye, GØPNM
Pete was first licensed in 1990. Having taken the Morse test before the RAE, Pete quickly developed a passion for CW and this passion remains today. He joined the RSGB early on. Pete is a past President of the First Class CW Operators’ Club (FOC). He is also a collector of Begali keys and has about 15 in his collection. Until very recently Pete was a Morse Assessor for the RSGB, a role he had to give up due to the lack of time.
GB2RS in Cornwall were looking for new newsreaders a few years ago and Pete joined the team! With only three newsreaders in Cornwall, he reads on average once every three weeks. The broadcasts go out on the local repeater, GB3NC, at 0930 every Sunday.
His other amateur radio interests include his popular YouTube channel where he has reviewed pretty much all the Begali key range, and he has a particular interest in 1970s and 1980s Kenwood & Trio radios. Due to work and family commitments, Pete isn’t on air as much as he would like. When he is on, you’ll likely find him at the lower end of the band getting some heat into the 6146s and pounding a Begali Key.
Watch live
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