MB6IGK: Simplex Fusion Gateway on 434.0375MHz

The application for the Notice of Variation (NoV) on my amateur radio licence has been submitted to the RSGB coordinating committee for a simplex frequency for the Fusion Gateway.

The application is for the Gateway callsign MB6IGK, operating on 434.0375MHz, at the locator JO01GJ.

This application is for a low powered digital (only) internet gateway frequency that is only operational while I'm in attendance. Transmitter output power will be about 1W into a basic 1/4 wave UHF antenna. Due to height restrictions and terrain limitations, I'm expecting a coverage area of about 3km, This will be centered roughly on the Royal Engineers and Greenwich University campus in Gillingham. It should see coverage down to St. Mary's Island and along the riverside.

One disappointing thing though, I was informed that although Yaesu Fusion is designed as a dual mode system, allowing users to operate their radio's in analogue or digital, with the radios and Gateways just switching automatically between modes, the NoV has to be specified as either Digital or Analogue. As the Fusion Gateway system is little more than Echolink while locked in analogue mode, I've had to select a DV only Gateway.