I have been using D-Star since December 2014 when I started using it from the car. I started with the Icom IC-E2820 and then purchased an ID-51E for portable use. After a number of years mobile I wanted a better display and purchased an ID-5100E for the car and moved the IC-E2820 in to the shack. When mobile I now have to use a portable hotspot and for nearer home I use MB6KW or G1KEA C on 2m which gives good coverage either mobile or hand portable.

The 2m gateway uses the following equipment:

Modes enabled are D-Star only

Frequency 144.8875 MHz

Settings for D-Star are Repeater Callsign G1KEA  C and Gateway Call Sign G1KEA  G

 

How to program the GM-340 and Pi-star can be found here. I started using DMR in January 2019 with a TYT MD-uv380 but had no access on to the network as I could not work either of the two nearest repeaters. I also have a DV-MEGA Pi shield on a Raspberry Pi 2 for use at home and when away. I upgraded the firmware of the DV-MEGA and changed from Maryland DStar to Pi-Star which then gave me a D-Star / DMR hotspot.

 

In 2019 I decided to close the Echolink gateway for public use as no one was using it and requested a D-Star and DMR gateway license. An NoV was issued for an attended  internet gateway MB6IKW to be operational on 431.0875 MHz, with an e.r.p. of 3.7dBw. With the change to UK amateur licensing the RSGB ETCC changed the callsign to MB6KW and restrictions lifted. The gateway can now run 7dBw and run unattended although operational hours are 07:30 to 23:30 to save energy.

Excellent coverage for hand held and mobiles around Kenilworth and good coverage for fixed stations in Leamington Spa and parts of Warwick is expected. Coverage for mobiles is variable as the output power is not as high as I had requested.

This gateway is ideal for those local amateurs wanting to access D-Star and DMR without having to purchase a hotspot. It is also ideal for visitors to the Abbey Fields, Kenilworth Castle and the beautiful local countryside where the coverage extends to the south to Hatton. Visitors to Warwick Univeristy willl also be able to access the gateway from some areas of the campus.

 

The gateway uses the following equipment:

  • Motorla GM-340
  • Comet CX-725 Tri-band antenna 8m a.g.l.
  • Zum Radio MMDVM Pi Board
  • Raspberry Pi 3 B+ running Pi-Star

Modes enabled are D-Star and DMR

Frequency 431.0875 MHz

Settings for D-Star are Repeater Callsign MB6KW  B and Gateway Call Sign MB6KW  G

DMR is on TS2 colour code 5.

The gateway is usually connected to the D-Star reflector REF035C. This may be changed to any of your choice but please unlink when finished. DMR does not use static talkgroups so the gateway is not constantly transmitting DMR and blocking D-Star users.

For example if DMR is connected to Talkgroup 2350 UK-Wide you will constantly get stations clicking in and some chatting away on there. This will keep the gateway on DMR and stations generally do not allow a 20s gap between overs allowing the gateway to listen for local D-Star transmissions.

The same can be said for having D-Star connected to REF001C the "Mega Reflector", it can lock DMR out for quite a while. 

CX725

Please remember whenever using any digital mode to leave a reasonable pause to allow users on other gateways to disconnect from the group or reflector you are using.

 

Predicted coverage for the gateway has been mapped using Radio Mobile on-line by VE2DBE. Click on the map for a larger image.

434MHz Echolink coverage for mobiles
MB6KW gateway predicted coverage for mobiles

 

Last updated 17/12/2024