Laurie McIllree has advised the following:
I received a phone call from Christopher Beaumont tonight (17 May 2021) sadly informing me that Ross Beaumont passed away last night or early this morning at his home.
Details of the funeral service for Ross will be communicated once we are advised.
Ross’s professional expertise, with his vast knowledge of radio engineering science, was what all of us who worked with him will remember. Whenever we had a technical problem that seemed too difficult for us to resolve, it was time to call for Ross’s help.
Below is a MS&RS work photo of Ross Beaumont taken in 1998 wearing his Telstra pager
Also another of Ross pointing out a cave he first discovered as a boy, on the Lane Cove River, after spotting it from his canoe. It was part of our Great North Walks. This cave was believed to be lived in during the Great Depression. The groove was cut to collect water & Ross said it was originally sealed with bitumen.
6 Comments
Very sad to hear of Ross’ death.
We worked together in MS & RS for quite a few years.
He was a brilliant RF Engineer. I don’t think there was anything Ross didn’t know about Antenna design.
Vale Ross.
Mick Quinlan
Ross was the best RF Engineer I ever worked with. And a nice guy too.
Cheers
Graham Hansen
I was shocked to hear of Ross’ passing!
I spent most of my professional career working with Ross. First in OTC Maritime, and then in all its subsequent successions into Telstra Managed Radio until finally Ross retired.
After Ross retired, I would still catch up with him every two months, as I would pick him up from his home and we would travel out to the amateur radio “Trash and Treasure” sale at Dural. Both to purchase some “treasures”, but also marvel at the old radio-related curiosities (where Ross was fascinatingly invaluable in explaining the uses, history, advantages and disadvantages, and design of the said pieces!).
Unfortunately Covid brought a temporary halt to these “Trash and Treasure” outings, and we subsequently would communicate with each other by telephone.
May He Rest In Peace
Tim Jensen
The only thing I can say about Ross is that he was a brilliant engineer and technically just the same.
His time spent getting the SEACOM power feed equipment at Cairns, Madang and Guam to work on very ordinary 400hz motor – generators I will never forget.
May He Rest In Peace
Laurie McIlree
I can’t begin to describe how sad I am to hear of Ross’ passing.
I had the pleasure of working with him briefly on several occasions when OTC Maritime had to ‘bring in the big guns’ from Sydney. He taught me so much practical RF (the dark art!) that I can hardly begin to describe.
We also had lengthy discussions over the efficiency of some genuine high tech audio speaker designs. Ross was just such an amazing guru with all things technical and in his own words, “well I have nothing more than a mere High-School education but it serves me well.” I somehow doubt that but am awe-inspired by his modesty.
A tragic loss to many entire communities and a reminder to me that I must get in touch with ‘the old Suths’ on Bribie. Noel and BP have an “always” place in my heart as did Ross.
I’m in Bris now, so should make the time to catch-up with them. No excuses. Best I get on to that soon, as time is always running out. I’d like to meet you too.
Cam Kennett
A quote from Ross supplied by Cam Kennett:
“ahh, yes, that feedhorn is exhibiting all the characteristics of breathing”. R Beaumont, C.1994-5