Biography

My interest in radio, like many others, dates back to Citizen Band radio. 
I was active at a very young age (AM,SSB) and progressed onto 27Mhz FM in 1981 when UK CB was legalised.
Considered studying for RAE as far back as early 1990 and even enrolled on a course but then work committments took me away so the course attendance and the hopes fizzled out.
Maintained an interest in CB for a while then took a break of over 20 years.
When I came back into CB, my interest for getting into Amateur Radio was rekindled although it took me a while to actually find the time to do something about it.
December 2013, contacted Halifax And District Amateur Radio Society to enquire about courses. Attended Foundation Course and passed exam 08/07/14. Callsign M6SHT gained 18/7/14 after awaiting arrival of pass certificate.
My thanks to Martin (M0GQB) who was my tutor and also John (M0JPA) who stood in when Martin was otherwise engaged for all of their tuition which enabled me to pass the Foundation and also the Intermediate.
Special mention for John (G7ELX) for his invigilation during both exams.
Sat Intermediate Exam 22/12/15. Callsign 2E0SHT gained 6th January 2016.
​I was fortunate to have taken the Intermediate Exam when I did as the Church that our club meets at was very severely flooded just days later. Major damage was caused to the building so tuition for the Advanced Exam was put on hold and after repairs were completed.
​The Advanced Course has started and my thanks to Anthony G0WFG for being the one that has taken on the task of trying to crowbar more information into my head.
I enjoy HF and enjoy meeting new people over the air. I prefer to have a chat, rather than just exchange signal readings and move on but the quick contacts do at least give me the chance to reach into another country.
​I also enjoy the odd hour or so with data modes, (PSK) although I prefer phone to keyboard tapping.
​Not really into contesting although I do take part in the RSGB CC Phone/Data contests and I am always happy to give contesting stations an extra contact for their log book when I hear them calling for other contests worldwide.

I am a member of Calderdale RAYNET..

​More often than not, when Home or Mobile, I can be found monitoring GB3HD (my favourite analogue and Fusion repeater) and 145.400 which is the frequency many locals monitor and rag chew on. I can also be found monitoringTG860(North East Roaming) on DMR. Look up the Northern DMR Cluster which is connected via DMARC as well as local linking. My nearest repeater on DMR is GB7HX, whic is co-sited with GB3HD.
​Information about my local repeaters GB3HD/GB7HX can be found at: http://www.gb7hxgb3hd.co.uk/

If you are passing the area, give me a call.
When not playing radio I am usually training or competing with dogs within the sport of Competitive Obedience.
73 to all
Dave

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Current Radios: Yaesu FTM400DE (Mobile),Yaesu FT1900(Home QTH), Yaesu FT8800(Home QTH), Yaesu FT8900(HomeQTH), Yaesu FT225RD (Home QTH), Motorola DM4600 (Mobile), 2 x Motorola DM4401 (DMR- 1xHome & 1xMobile),Yaesu FT450D (Home QTH) Icom IC756 Pro(Home QTH).
Handhelds: Yaesu FT1D (Fusion),Yaesu FT60, Motorola DP3600 (DMR). Icom ID51E Plus (Dstar). Baofeng UV5R, Baofeng BF888s
As you may have noticed, I do have rather a fondness for Yaesu radios!!!!
​DV4Mini recently arrived for Dstar access from home.
Home Antenna's 
2m/70 cms : Diamond X50N mounted on a pole running through the middle of a tree.(approx 23 feet to base of antenna)
DMR Homebrew 2m/70cm Dipole, (Vertically polarised and stood in a plant pot for DMR access to GB7HX/GB7TD)
HF: Homebrew OCF Wire Dipole. (Approx 95 feet total length. Balun at the 65/30 feet mark. Approx 9/10 feet from the ground.)
​HF: 65 foot wire fed through balun. (Approx 20 feet from the ground. Feedpoint just beneath the X50)
Mobile Antenna's
​2m/70cm Dual Band Mini Mag for handhelds.
​2m/70cm Dual Band Rubber Duck on gutter mount for DMR
2m/70cm Dual Band or a 2m/70cm/6m/10m Diamond CR8900 on door mount on rear of van.