Graham Farrell - G8PYD

G8PYD at Kelvedon Park Fire HQ

 Graham G8PYD was a member of Essex RAYNET for over 40 years and overall, 45 years of RAYNET or (RAEN as it was previously known).
Sadly, G8PYD passed away peacefully at home in November 2023, with his funeral service held at Maldon Methodist Church in December 2023.
We have setup this webpage to pay tribute to Graham, who was a instrumental member of the organisation in Kent and Essex Groups.

G8PYD being presented with the Memorial Shield

G8PYD at the Midnight Walk in 2012

G8PYD joined RAEN (Radio Amateurs Emergency Network), which would later be known as RAYNET, in 1978 he became the Group Controller of the North West Kent Group.
Moving to Essex in 1983, he joined what was Essex Main RAYNET, becoming the District Controller for Maldon. G8PYD later became Group Controller when G4JUW moved out of County.

G8PYD, M3JDS, 2E0XLS at Midnight Walk

In 1993, RAEN took over operations from the RSGB, at a meeting in April that year, the majority of those present, voted to form Essex RAYNET, which would be affiliated to the RSGB only and independent from RAEN. Essex RAYNET would later become reaffiliated with RAEN/RAYNET in 2017 following unified agreement between the RSGB and RAEN/RAYNET.

Group Photo - G8PYD, G0UIB, G8UDD, G8YPK, 2E0TCY, M0RMT, M0NAS, 2E0PSN

Bringing with him, the experience he had in telecommunications from his time with the GPO, Graham went on to work for Essex Fire and Rescue Service as a Radio Communications Engineer for a career spanning 23 years, retiring in 2011.

He was able to use his transferable skills from ECFRS, with one of his many hobbies, which included amateur radio, RAYNET, steam locomotives and electronics.

G8PYD at East Anglian Railway Museum

He spent many happy hours volunteering his time for the East Anglian Railway Museum at Wakes Colne, when he wasn’t busy working, supporting Essex RAYNET or spending time with his family.

He was sreasurer & secretary for Essex RAYNET between 1993 & 2006, then served an additional 16 years as treasurer only.

The constitution & manual, to which Essex RAYNET uses today, was written by G8PYD and was used as a ‘template’ for other groups to base theirs upon, including our overseeing organisation - RAYNET-UK, quite the legacy!

G8PYD assisting with Trailer Mast upkeep

Graham kept himself very busy during his 45 year tenure with the organisation, building repeater enclosures for our Burnham, Southend and Chelmsford Crossband Repeater Sites, which are still in use today.

His expertise with electronics and radio networks, was a fantastic asset for Essex RAYNET as a resilient communications organisation, which was always at the forefront of every installation performed by G8PYD.

G8PYD at County Hall

Graham took part in regular testing of our radio sites across Essex, including Fire HQ at Kelvedon Park, Chelmsford, East Hall Farm, Maldon, Burnham Clock Tower and Southend On Sea.

He also helped Essex RAYNET secure the use of meeting facilities on a regular basis, for management meetings, at Maldon Fire Station for a number of years, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Graham unfortunately suffered a severe stroke during the early part of 2022, shortly after Storm Eunice which was his last deployment. However, he maintained a keen interest in group activities during his recovery, joining our monthly cascade nets via our Maldon Repeater and attending our AGM with his wife Sue, in April 2023 at Danbury Hall.

Graham was recently awarded his 45 year Long Service Award by RAYNET-UK and was awarded one of our Honorary Memberships.

In honour of G8PYD Graham, the members of Essex RAYNET made a donation of £215 each, to Farleigh Hospice & East Anglian Railway Museum, to support the good works of two organisations he was very passionate about.

Trailer Mast

We will also be adding a plaque to the trailer mast and memorial shield, which will be awarded to members who have gone 'Above and Beyond' during the previous 12 months.

If you have some additional history or information about G8PYD and RAYNET, please get in touch via the Contact Form.