Bob Lamb (1923-1996)

Bob Lamb

Year Born: 

1923

Year Died: 

1996

Year of Induction: 

1993

Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame

Lamb, Bob (1923-1996)

Career Broadcast Engineer Entrepreneur

At 13, Bob Lamb was the youngest ham operator in Canada.

In 1937, he became a professional when, while still in high school, Dick Rice hired him part-time at 35 cents an hour to mind CFRN’s transmitter outside Edmonton.

Bob joined the RCAF in 1941 and worked under legendary pilot “Wop” May as an instructor for the Air Observers school, as well as being responsible for radio maintenance for aircraft.

In 1944, he joined CFCN Calgary as Chief Engineer. He built a new transmitter in 1947.

The first TV licence in Calgary was awarded to the owners of the three Calgary radio stations – CFCN, CFAC and CKXL. Bob built CHCT’s studios and transmitter. It was an engineering project he would never forget. He served as Chief Engineer until 1962 when CFCN was awarded its own licence. Again, Bob built the studios and handled the transmitter site. CFCN became a founding member of the CTV Television Network and gained a reputation for the skill of its mobile crew on football broadcasts for the fledgling CTV. When Maclean-Hunter purchased the television and radio stations in 1966, Bob stayed on as Chief Engineer and also became a director. At the same time, he started his own cable company.

In 1985, Bob and a group of investors bought CKST (Radio) in the Edmonton suburb of St. Albert, changed the call letters to CHMG and made it a major player in the market.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, Bob was always on the leading edge of technology. With his knowledge, generosity and kindness, he helped many broadcasters achieve lifelong goals.

A member of the CAB’s Half-Century Club, Bob Lamb was inducted into the CAB’s Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1993.

Bon Lamb died in 1993.

Written by J. Lyman Potts – December, 1996