Author Archives: Tappy

Upcoming Mills on the Air weekend

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th May

The HFDXARC will be taking part in this prestegious event on the 13th/14th May at the Club Mill House, and we welcome everyone to come and join us. Club members can operate every mode available during the weekend.

Weather permitting we may have a BBQ but more info on this will be comunicated  throughout the week.

Members can bring down family and guests to the club, however we would apreciate in advance a confirmation of attendance and numbers please.

So why not come and join us ? Maybe work the radios with your chosen mode, or simply enjoy the day out at the mill.

Please email the club in advance

Related Images:

Kings Coronation Weekend GB0KCC

 

WOW, WOW, and WOW

First of all, a massive thank you to the thousands of stations that called in and supported us on this momentous occasion. The response from the Ham Radio community was absolutely amazing and left the Club operators feeling very humbled. Thank you all.

The weekend started on Friday, with many projects still being built and new dipoles being erected. The whole of the antenna paddock ( as we call it ) was changed in ways to help reduce noise ( splatter from the 40m station ) and support wires were added to the long runs of coax. It doesn’t sound like much of a job when you say it fast, but it was a huge job for the members to take on.
The club has built a brand new 40M vertical phased array with a switching network that provides directional TX/RX at the flick of a switch. This latest addition to the club’s antenna array will give us that extra punch required for special events and contesting.
A massive thanks to all involved in the project, as this again was a huge job to undertake.

The “not so secret” project of building the beast was also continued, with Sue M6URG finishing off the painting of the trailer which she made a Superb job of.

Earlier in the week saw some new club members visiting the club, and indeed helping out where required. We also gained a new member from the visiting group, which is awesome for the club.

The event itself saw the members operating all of the stations available, which was a very pleasing site given the huge effort and work carried out in refurbing the shack room. They made light work of the stations calling in to support us, however, this soon turned into what can only be described as amazing. Each of the stations had the biggest pile-ups you can imagine and this continued throughout the full weekend. The show of support was staggering and overwhelming at times, but the team of operators handled it like true professionals working every station calling in.

This was by far my most memorable weekend of Radio so far in my short time licensed and I am sure other operators feel the same.
M0KVK Kevin has only just recovered from the Isle of Muck Dxpedition, but worked the stations relentlessly throughout the early hours, racking up many JA VK and stateside stations.

I won’t list the call signs involved in the weekend and its build-up, but I will say a MASSIVE thank you to each and every one of them for their commitment. However, I will mention Andy G7LRR who has worked himself to the bone for the Club and continues to do so.

Many many thanks to ALL the members, you are all truly appreciated, as you make the club. One special thanks to Mike Wood our host as he shows such passion toward the club and also works none stop helping us all out. Cheers Mike

If you are not a club member reading this and it appears to be a club you want to be part of, please look at joining us. You could be part of this very special group of people and have just as much fun. You are all welcome.

Related Images:

Isle of Muck Dxpedition GB0SIM

GB0SIM

The Isle of Muck is part of the Scottish Small Islands group along with Rhum, Eigg and Canna called the Inner Hebrides situated off the West Coast of Scotland and has a population of around 38 only.

Two of our Club members are taking part in the Isle of Muck Dxpedition starting 15th April for around 7 days. The planning for this Dxpedition has been maticulous, as the Island has no facilities for the team to buy anything, including food. Everything they need has to be taken with them on the journey, including all the ham gear.

The team is made up from Marcin-M0GLV, Kevin-M0KVK(m), Lyns-G0AZE, Nick-G0VQO, Steve-2E0NSQ, Steve-M0EBJ(m).

They plan operating on SSB, CW, and Digital FT8 throughout the week and will be using a whole different range of antenna for this including 40m phased verticals, dipoles for all bands and a vertical for 10m. They hope to work as many stations globally as possible whilst also introducing the hobby to the Islands children from a local school, and giving an incite into alternative communications for them.

Please listen out for the team from April 15th, and help support them by calling into them on every band and mode possible. Dont forget this is a seriously collectable call sign for any ham operator as there are no hams currently on the Island of Muck.

You can find all the information relating to the Dxpedition through QRZ.com GB0SIM QRZ or FaceBook page FaceBook Page

More information regarding the Island can be found here The Isle of Muck

Related Images:

Lattice Tower Mast maintenance day

The list of maintenance and repairs at the Club has been growing and growing of late, but on Saturday 18 march a team of club members took on the lattice tower mast maintenance. This included a full inspection and greasing of the steel ropes, winch system and tower rails.

It was another great opportunity for “on the job training”, as Sean M0SLY brought along his two sons Josh and Oley who took on the task of greasing etc. Given the size and weight of this tower, a full rigid H&S risk assesment had been completed, which then gave the clearance for undertaking the “Dirty” Job under full supervision.

Boys being boys, decided the best way to determine who was best suited to getting their hands in the tub of sticky black treacle, played a best of 3 Rock Paper Scissors. Josh lost and had to wear the marigolds which brought a bit of humour to the job.

It was no easy or quick task, as the Lofting wire rope thimble had to be swapped for a new one which the two lads and Sean also made light work of. The full job took around 6 hours, but is an essential part of the station which demands maintenance and attention.

Other Club members were also busy through out the day working on a secret project for the club, which will be a massive asset long term. Welders, grinders, big hammers all played a part in this huge job and once fully completed the video of the build will be up on our YouTube channel.

The maintenace and repairs cost money which the club is in need of, and without the membership funds and donations it would not be possible. Many thanks to Sean, Josh, Oley for a superb effort on the Tower, and for the enthusiasm the two lads showed throughout the day.

 

 

Related Images:

« Older Entries Recent Entries »