G4VYX INTERNET VOICE GATEWAY.

Welcome to the G4VYX Internet Gateway information page's. The purpose of this web site is to impart as much information to anyone that wants to know about my gateway and its usage.

The G4VYX-L Internet gateway is situated in Ashington, Northumberland and operates on a frequency of 145.2875MHz in the two metre band.

The gateway normally runs with the Echolink software written by American amateur Jonathan Taylor (K1RFD). At times I also use the EQSO software written by British amateur Paul Davies (M0ZPD). EQSO operates in a slightly different fashion to Echolink in that it requires no tone signalling at all, to operate it users just call out for a contact as and when required. Stations in the listing are all in a common room with everyone hearing everyone else all of the time.

Users can discern which package is currently in use by listening to transmissions on the gateway frequency, if you hear a double pip end of transmission courtesy tone then EQSO is in operation. If a single pip tone is heard then Echolink is running.

Due to work, family and NOV required attended operation the gateway operates at varying times during the day and evening most days of the week. This is a simplex frequency system therefore no frequency shift or 1750Hz tone burst is required. It is worth mentioning at this point that due to the system being single frequency simplex, local radio users may not always hear other local radio users, but all radio users will be able to hear the link. This is because you hear the transmissions from other local radio users directly on two metres and not through the system (more information on this can be found on the coverage page). For complete control of the system DTMF tones are needed (a list of which can be found later on these pages). In order to answer calls no signalling at all is needed with any radio user responding and talking in the usual fashion as per any other amateur radio QSO.

In this area we also use the frequency of 433.575MHz (70CMs) for local area talk back whilst using the system. It proves very handy to have this facility as it negates blocking the link frequency with unwanted traffic.

The UK Notice Of Variation.

To run an Internet gateway in the UK a notice of variation to the existing licence is required. This is issued by the Radio Communications Agency to the station requesting it. This happens after the application has successfully passed through frequency co-ordination with the Data Communications Committee with whom the initial application is made. (To visit the DCC site for information or check out the current N.O.V. list CLICK HERE now.) For the purpose of the G4VYX Link the N.O.V. specifies the following:-

Licensee G4VYX.
Frequency of operation 145.2875MHz.
Maximum deviation +/- 2.5KHz.
Antenna-Omnidirectional. (Vertical)
Power Output 10dbw.

The Echolink System.

This system is quite ingenious offering various ways of contacting radio amateurs in all parts of the world. Users utilising the system may connect to a remote computer user (licensed amateur only) or connect to one of the many simplex or repeater linked stations that are currently on-line. I have personally sat here with my two metre hand held running 500 milliwatt's talking with mobiles in Sydney-Australia, all over the United States and many other countries globally.

Stations wanting to use the system can do so in a number of ways, the simplest being to monitor 145.2875MHz and reply to one of the many incoming calls from stations anywhere operating in the usual fashion. Alternatively users can actively control the system with the use of DTMF tones. We are aware that in the UK a lot of radio's do not have DTMF keypad's but we have discovered that mobile phones held next to the microphone with the radio on TX will suffice. Alternatively a visit to the local telephone shop will enable you to buy a pocket DTMF generator for around �5. The DTMF control tones are as follows:-

  *  - For system information and instruction's
00 - For a random call to any station
01 - For a random call to any link or repeater station
02 - For a random call to any conference server station
08 - To find out who is currently connected
09 - Is a last number redial
  # - To return the system to standby when finished

Users may also initiate direct calls to anywhere via radio with DTMF if they have the four or five digit index number of the station they are wanting to connect to. (For a list of who is currently active on the system please CLICK HERE now.)

This page has been created specifically for use with PDA or mobile equipment where bandwidth is at a premium.

If I can be of any further assistance please email me by clicking the link below.

73 de Bill G4VYX / W4VYX

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