Former ARRL and Yaesu employee, World Radiosport Team Championship competitor, and award-winning radio amateur Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, has become a Silent Key. Motschenbacher passed away on 9 January 2025, after a long illness.

Motschenbacher was first licensed at the age of 13. According to his obituary, “His Amateur Radio activities took him to 35 countries and his ham radio call sign, K7BV, was recognized all over the world. He competed on the U.S. team in the World Radiosport Team Championship in 2000 in Slovenia and in his lifetime, won many national and international awards for his ham radio achievements.”

Motschenbacher was well known within the amateur radio community. He was a prolific ham radio author and from 1998 – 2002 served as editor of the National Contest Journal (NCJ). He served on ARRL staff as the Sales and Marketing Manager from 2002 – 2006, when he joined Yaesu as their Executive Vice President of the Amateur Radio Sales Division. He retired from that role in 2019.

If you are a member of an RSGB-affiliated club or society, the RSGB is encouraging you to check that your organisation’s details are up to date on Club Finder.

The RSGB Club Finder allows people to search for local amateur radio groups. Those people could want to join your group, find out more about amateur radio before taking their Foundation licence exam or perhaps need support for British Science Week activities.

If you are an RSGB member, have excellent leadership skills and would like to contribute to the amateur radio community, how about becoming an RSGB Board Director?

Nominations are now open for applicants to stand for two Elected? Board Director roles. The existing Board is looking for Directors who have specific skills to replace outgoing Directors. It would love to see applications from those who have expertise in spectrum matters and with building positive relationships with other organisations.

The Board is also looking for people who are passionate about continuing its important outreach activities, as well as its ongoing work in developing practical skills amongst the amateur radio community.