Amateur radio operators typically communicate with others in their local area using the 2 metre band (144 to 146MHz)- either from a home shack, a mobile, or a handheld. If you’re able to access a local repeater, you could be able to get your signal out to a wider area, due to the location of the repeater and the output power used.
The primary amateur radio repeater for Essex is based at Danbury, near Chelmsford, with the callsign of GB3DA
About GB3DA
The Danbury 2 metre repeater started operations in 1980, and is sited at the Danbury Church Green transmitter site. The site is also home to local radio station Chelmsford Radio, and DAB transmissions for central Essex.
Licensed Amateur Radio operators are permitted to use the GB3DA voice repeater to talk to other Amateurs. The repeater offers great coverage over a sizable part of Essex and the surrounding area.
| Update- March 2013: The GB3DA repeater is currently not operating correctly. Please see: Status of the GB3DA Danbury Repeater (April 2013) |
GB3DA Repeater Settings
The settings needed are as follows:
- Output Frequency: 145.725MHz
- Input Frequency: 145.125MHz
- CTCSS Tone: 110.9Hz
- Transmitter Power: 25W erp
- Narrow Band / 12.5kHz
Note that GB3DA has a timeout of approx 90 seconds.
Danbury Church Green Site, home to GB3DA
Supporting GB3DA
The DA repeater is available to all licensed amateur radio operators, and is operated by the Essex Repeater Group.
The Essex Repeater Group relies on donations and membership subscriptions. If you use GB3DA, please show your support and contribute to ERG. Become a member of ERG, or make a donation. Support the Essex Repeater Group.
The owner of this site is proud to be a member of the Essex Repeater Group.
Where is GB3DA?
The GB3DA repeater is in Danbury, Essex at the Church Road site. Grid Reference is TL779050. The following map shows the position of GB3DA:
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