Many of the amateur radio clubs in Essex meet on-air for regular nets. On this page, you’ll find details of the various nets, and a schedule of when to listen to the various local amateur radio club nets.
For those new to the hobby, listening in to a local net is a great way of learning the ropes and getting a feel for what goes on in the area. Most nets are on the 2m band, so can be received with a basic £25 2m handheld.
Getting started on a net is a great way to get some experience and make new friends locally – that’s why we’ve been running our own net since 2011, with the aim of bringing new and experienced operators together, to share knowledge and ask questions. For more on our net, go to our Monday Night Net page.
Essex Amateur Radio Net Schedule
Here is a list of the various Essex nets that we’re aware of. Times and frequencies are subject to change – where a frequency or repeater is in use, alternative frequencies are often selected at short notice.
Club / Group Nets
| Club / Group | Day | Start Time |
Band | Notes |
| Essex Ham | Monday | 8pm | 2m | Essex Ham’s Monday Night Net is held weekly at 8pm on the GB3DA repeater – Listen on 145.725MHz. Streamed online for those out of the area. |
| Braintree & District ARS | Monday | 8pm | 2m / 70cm |
|
| BRATS | Thursday | 8:00pm | 2m | Technically, the BRATS club is in Kent, but we’re including them as they use the Essex-based GB3DA repeater – Listen on 145.725MHz |
| Chelmsford ARS | Tuesday | 8pm | 2m, 70cm, 80m, 160m |
|
| Colchester Radio Amateurs | Tuesdays | 7pm | 70cm | 433.425MHz (May include top band) |
| Wednesday | 7pm | 2m | Weekly 2m simplex club net on 145.350MHz | |
| Thursday | 7pm | 80m | Weekly 80m net on 3.685Mhz LSB, except third Thursday in month (club night) | |
| Essex CW Club (Morse nets) | Monday | 7:30pm | 80m |
|
| Tuesday | 7pm UTC | 17m / 20m |
|
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| Essex RAYNET | Tuesday | 8:30pm | Multiple | Held every Tuesday commencing at 2030hrs. Control Station – G0IJN in Althorne. 144.650MHz, followed by 433.700MHz, 70.400MHz & 51.650MHz |
| GB3CE (Colchester) Sunday Net | Sunday | 8:30pm | GB3CE | 30 minute net chaired by Kevin 2E0HJA |
| GB3CL (Clacton) Monday Net | Monday | 8:30pm | GB3CL | (Awaiting details) |
| Havering & District ARC | Monday | 8pm | 2m | Monday Natter Net on 145.525MHz simplex |
| Thursday | 8pm | 2m | Club Net on 145.525 MHz simplex | |
| Friday | 8pm | 2m | Friday Natter Net on 145.525 MHz simplex | |
| Saturday | 2pm | 160m | Top Band Afternoon Net, 160 Metres (1910kHz) LSB | |
| Loughton & Epping Forest ARS | Thursday | 8pm | 2m | Weekly net each Thursday at 8pm on 144.725MHz simplex |
| South Essex ARS | Weekdays | 3:30pm | 2m | Net every weekday from 3:30pm to 4pm on 145.325MHz simplex |
| Tuesday | 8pm | 2m | 4th Tuesday of the month, SEARS will be on GB3DA from 8pm | |
| Thames ARG | Friday | 8pm | 2m | Net runs most Fridays (unless there is a club night). Starts at 8pm on the GB3DA repeater – Listen on 145.725MHz |
| Friday | 7.30pm | 2m | CW Net normally runs on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Friday in the month. Slow Morse (QRS) for club members. Simplex frequency 144.250 USB | |
| Thurrock Acorns ARC | Friday | 7:00pm | 2m | Weekly net each Friday from 7:00pm simplex. Listen on 145.500MHz at 7:00pm for the frequency |
Independent Nets
| Net Name | Day | Start Time |
Band | Notes |
| Essex 4m Net | Wednesday | 8pm | 4m | Weekly net each Wednesday on 70.475MHz – Hosted by Selim M0XTA |
| Elms Net | Wednesday | 8pm | 70cm | The Elms Net, Wednesday 8pm on GB3ER. |
| Essex 4m Net | Wednesday | 8pm | 4m | Weekly net each Wednesday on 70.475MHz – Hosted by Selim M0XTA |
Times are UK local unless stated otherwise. List last updated: Oct 2023
If you know of (or run) a net that’s not mentioned here, or something’s wrong, please let us know so that we can update the list.
Thanks
Essex Ham would like to thank the Essex Repeater Group for allowing us to use the GB3DA repeater for Essex Ham’s Monday Night Net and the Essex YL Net. This repeater, together with GB3ER, GB3DB and GB7ZP are managed by volunteers. If you wish to support the repeaters, you can make a donation online, or become a member, at www.essexrepeatergroup.org.uk .
Related Links
- Using a repeater – Our guide on getting started with repeaters
- Information on the GB3DA Repeater
- Essex Ham’s Monday Night Net
- Essex Repeater Group
- Amateur Radio Nets in Essex
Hi All at Essex Hams (Hate the word Ham, we are British not North Americans).
I am a restarter and have been in amateur radio off and on since 1955, starting as a SWL with ex WD equipment bought with hard earned pocket money. Then a career at sea as an operator for 32 years RN and MN.
In late 2015 I joined Colchester Radio Amateurs Club and have been getting deeper into the hobby again. Recently at the start of this cooler weather looking around the net found Essex Hams, well done, so much useful information. I am currently running an FT757GX, to a G5RV and an FT290 mkII, to a Townsman (superb little home-brew ant), plus other bits and pieces. You can tell I don’t consider bells and whistles necessary to enjoy. CW and home-brew Aerials are my main interest. 73 G4EUW
Hello.. I’m from Essex originally, but living up North for most of the time, but looking for a town in Essex to relocate to.. i’m mostly a HF SSB net kind of Guy, but i do DMR and P25 digital too, so any suggestions for affordable towns which might be amenable for a single Amateur to relocate to would be welcomed, I fancy Colchester near my Mother (in Marks Tey) but may be too much $$.
Are there any towns where there is much activity ? up here it’s very quiet, lots of listeners, but the only regular QSOs you hear will be our local 10m SSB nets.
I’m looking to move back to my home after all these years :)