Bernie Godfrey G4AOG. Amateur Radio Exchange 1926-2023 RIP

My dear friend and Guvnor for almost 50 years has finally passed after reaching the age of 96. He is survived by his wife and business partner Brenda Godfrey G4VXL. 

A sad time for Amateur Radio, but looking back, if you were into the Hobby in the seventies and eighties, then chances are you'd bought something from Amateur Radio Exchange or A.R.E as they became. 

Bernie and Brenda were the mavericks and market disruptors in the retail section of the industry and that's where I learned a lot joining them full time in 1980.  They helped to smash the price fixing cartels that was so prevalent at the time and became the leading Amateur Radio suppliers for licenced operators in the UK. 

I'll miss Bernie for all his advice and sense of humour. His body may have finally given up on him, but his brain was a shining laser guided light right up until the very end. 

RIP my friend and mentor.

Martin Lynch G4HKS

-

Watch the video Martin recorded in June 2020 looking back through old pictures from the 70s and 80s at Bernie and Brendas.

Some Pictures:

Martin and his brother Gary working at Bernie & Brenda's circa 1970:

First Amateur Radio Shop in Northfields Avenue Ealing, circa 1976:

The largest Ham Radio Store in the eighties with B&B's triple-fronted showroom in Acton:

Bernie, Brenda and the team circa 1980:

Bernie & Brenda next to the FRG-7 in 2020:

Last photo with Bernie and Martin at the ML&S Open Day December 2022: