Radio Rally 2026
HFDXARC Radio Rally Saturday 11th July
All indoor tables sold out now however we still have hardstanding space outside ( Bring your own table) Email 
for information
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Mens Mental Health Awareness
Building Steve M9NSQ’s Tilt-Over Mast From Scrap Steel | Amateur Radio at its Best
Club Project
Steve M9NSQ’s Tilt-Over Mast Project
Steve, M9NSQ, built a simple mast support about a year ago using two pieces of 50 by 50 angle iron concreted into the ground, with a scaffold pole bolted between them to carry his six-metre mast.
Original mast support
The Problem
The original setup worked, but it was not ideal. Raising and lowering the mast safely on his own was becoming harder, and servicing the antenna system was not as easy as it could be.
Then Mike Wood and Andy, G7LRR, came round for a look.
Within minutes, they had a better idea: why not build a proper tilt-over system, allowing Steve to raise, lower and service the mast completely by himself?
The challenge was on.
From Spare Steel to Proper Engineering
Club chairman Pat, M0PKE, was involved from the early stages, helping with the welding and fabrication work.
Using steel already lying around Mike’s workshop, an old hand winch, and parts saved from previous projects, the fabrication began.
Soon Andy was producing showers of sparks, Mike was grinding and assembling parts, Pat was welding and fabricating, and before long the new tilt-over frame was taking shape.
Fabrication and build work
The Finished Setup
The only new parts bought for the whole project were the pulleys and the winches.
The finished structure carries Steve’s six-metre wind-up mast with a twenty-foot extension pole above it. It will eventually support a Cobweb antenna for HF and an X300 vertical for VHF and UHF.
Steve can now safely wind the mast up, lower it down, and tilt the entire assembly over whenever maintenance is needed.
The mast taking shape
Built from scrap
Designed by friends
Raised safely
Operated by one man
Designed by friends
Raised safely
Operated by one man
Four radio amateurs, a pile of spare steel, a few good ideas, and one very happy Steve.
That is amateur radio at its very best.
73 from Steve M9NSQ
Update: It’s Up
The mast system is now up and taking shape. More photos will be added once everything is fully completed and in the air.
More photos will be added once the final antenna setup is completed.
Returning to our roots for one special day – Humber Fortress DX ARC at Fort Paull
Armed Forces Festival Activation
Saturday 13th June 2026
The Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club returned to Fort Paull for the first time since 2019 to activate the special event callsign GB0FP during the Fort Paull Armed Forces Festival.
For many members, this was much more than a day of radio operation. It was a return to the place where the club first established its roots and where many of its earliest activities took place.
The club was based in a former military communications cabin situated within the historic fort. With the station established and antennas erected, GB0FP was soon on the air once again from a location that holds a special place in the club’s history.
Returning to Where It All Began
From 2010 until the fort’s closure in 2019, Fort Paull served as the original home of the Humber Fortress DX ARC. Numerous club nights, special event stations, contests, and social gatherings took place within its walls.
The return to the fort brought back many memories for long-standing members while giving newer members an opportunity to experience the location that helped shape the club we know today.
The activation was made even more meaningful by the attendance of founding members, whose commitment and enthusiasm helped establish the club during its earliest years.
GB0FP Back on the Air
Operating throughout the day under the GB0FP callsign, club members demonstrated amateur radio to festival visitors using HF and VHF equipment.
Visitors were able to watch live contacts being made and learn about the many aspects of amateur radio, including international communications, technical experimentation, contesting, emergency communications, and portable operation.
The station attracted a steady stream of visitors throughout the day, many of whom were fascinated by the equipment and keen to learn more about the hobby.
Antennas and Equipment
Despite the limited operating space available inside the cabin, the club successfully established a fully operational station for the event.
A portable HF antenna system was erected adjacent to the operating position, providing reliable coverage and allowing contacts to be made throughout the day.
Supporting the Armed Forces Festival
The Armed Forces Festival brought together military history displays, emergency services organisations, family attractions, veterans groups, and historical exhibits.
The amateur radio station provided an opportunity to demonstrate modern communications alongside the rich military history that Fort Paull represents.
The combination of radio, history, engineering, and public engagement created a successful day for both the club and the festival organisers.
Looking Back – And Forward
While the club now operates from its Millhouse HQ in Patrington, Fort Paull remains an important part of our history and identity.
The successful reactivation of GB0FP demonstrated that the connection between the Humber Fortress DX ARC and Fort Paull remains as strong as ever.
For one special day, the club returned home.
We would like to thank the Fort Paull team for their hospitality and support, together with all club members who helped set up, operate, and dismantle the station.
We hope that this will not be the last time that the callsign GB0FP is heard once again from Fort Paull.
Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club
Established 2010
Club Callsigns: MX0HFC M0HFC M6C
“Returning to our roots for one special day.”
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