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
Tag Archives: PATTRINGTON
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.
GB0MMH – Raising Awareness for Men’s Mental Health
# STRONG SIGNALS — STRONGER MINDS
## Men’s Mental Health Awareness Through Amateur Radio
The Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club is proud to support Men’s Mental Health Awareness through the worldwide reach and community spirit of amateur radio.
Across two special event weekends during 2026, amateur radio operators from around the United Kingdom will come together on the airwaves using dedicated GB#MMH special event callsigns to help promote awareness, encourage conversation, and support those affected by mental health struggles.
Mental health affects countless men every day. Too often, many suffer in silence. Through this event we hope to encourage people to speak openly, check in on one another, and remind everyone that support is available and nobody has to face things alone.
—
# GB0MMH — Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club
Our primary event station, GB0MMH, will be operating from the Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club headquarters located at:
## The Mill House
Patrington Haven
Near Hull
HU12 0PS
## Operating Weekends
### 23rd – 24th May 2026
### 26th – 27th June 2026
Operations will take place across the HF amateur bands using:
– SSB
– FT8
– FT4
Operators will be active throughout the weekends making contacts around the UK, Europe, and worldwide while helping spread this important message across the amateur radio community.
—
# Supporting Operators Across The UK
We are incredibly grateful to the many operators and supporters who are generously volunteering their time to take part in this event.
Participating stations currently include:
| Special Event Callsign | Operator | Callsign |
|—|—|—|
| GB0MMH | Humber Fortress DX ARC | MX0HFC |
| GB1MMH | Darren | M0DCX |
| GB5MMH | James | M0GQC |
| GB8MMH | Troy | G7LHK |
| GB9MMH | Bob | M0RWL |
| GB19MMH | Clint | M0OPV |
| GB20MMH | Dave (MLS) | M0TFP |
| GB26MMH | Stu | G5STU |
| GB88MMH | Calum | M0XXT |
Additional operators and stations may also join throughout the event weekends.
—
# Visit The Mill House
We warmly welcome visitors to join us at The Mill House during the event weekends.
Whether you are:
– A licensed radio amateur
– Studying for your licence
– Returning to the hobby
– Interested in radio technology
– Supporting the mental health campaign
– Or simply curious about amateur radio
—you will be made very welcome.
Visitors will be able to:
– Watch live HF operating across multiple bands
– See contest-style amateur radio stations in operation
– Meet operators from around the UK
– Learn more about amateur radio and special event stations
– Experience FT8, FT4, and SSB operation live
– Enjoy a friendly and relaxed atmosphere with refreshments available throughout the day
This event is not just about radio contacts. It is about community, conversation, support, and awareness.
—
# Mental Health Awareness
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is simply start a conversation.
This event aims to help encourage people to talk openly and support one another.
> “It’s okay to talk.”
> “Strong men ask for help.”
> “You are not alone.”
> “Silence isn’t strength. Speaking up is.”
> “Even the strongest need support.”
If you or somebody you know is struggling, please remember there are people and organisations ready to help.
—
# Support Organisations
## Andy’s Man Club
A free peer-to-peer support group for men.
## Mind
Providing advice and support for anyone experiencing mental health problems.
—
# LET’S BREAK THE SILENCE — ONE TRANSMISSION AT A TIME
Tune in for awareness.
Speak out for strength.
Join us on air to support Men’s Mental Health Awareness.
We look forward to welcoming operators, visitors, supporters, and members of the public to The Mill House for what we hope will be a meaningful and successful event for everyone involved.
MB5HF Repeater Back On Air!
MB5HF Repeater Back On Air!
The Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club is pleased to announce that our UHF repeater MB5HF on the 70cm band (RB06) is now back on air and fully operational. After essential maintenance and upgrades carried out by Charles M7PNP, the system is performing well and ready for use by the amateur radio community .
Repeater Information
- Callsign: MB5HF
- Band: 70cm (RB06)
- Output Frequency: 433.1500 MHz
- RX Frequency: 434.7500 MHz
- Modes: Analogue Voice
- CTCSS: 82.5 Hz
- Locator: IO93XQ (Near Hull)
- Latitude/Longitude: 53.68 / -0.02
- TX Antenna Height: 5m AGL
- ERP: 10 dBW
Technical Setup
- Output Power: 10W PEP
- Controller: Powered by OpenRepeater, a versatile software platform designed for amateur radio repeaters. Running on a Raspberry Pi 4, OpenRepeater provides a modern, flexible, and reliable controller solution.
- Power System:
- 2.4kWh 24V battery bank
- 350W solar panel for renewable charging
This combination of renewable power and modern controller software gives MB5HF excellent reliability and ensures long-term sustainable service.
We’d like to thank everyone for their patience during the downtime and look forward to hearing you on MB5HF!
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