Thames Valley Repeater Group

On Thursday 9th October 2025, the planned swap of sites between GB7BK and GB3RU took place and both are now operational again. Please look at the pages for RU and BK to get more details.

In order to stir up activity and increase usage, TVRG have taken the decision to swap the sites of GB7BK and GB7RU. So, GB7BK will be located at Tilehurst and GB3RU on the Berkshire Downs. More information for the time being can be found here.

We’re pleased to tell you that GB3RU, the UHF analogue repeater located in Tilehurst, west Reading has returned to operation. This is due to the efforts of Denis, G4KWT and Ian, G8NXJ. They visited the site and found the repeater was not transmitting. The repeater was taken away and Denis investigated and found that pins on the VCO pdb had become tarnished. These were cleaned and the repeater was soak tested on continuous transmit for 24 hours. The transmitter was also found to be slightly off frequency and this has been adjusted. Ian took the repeater back to site on the morning of Sunday 7th September and all seems to be well.

All the repeater now needs is more activity!

P.S. The accompanying picture shows the view from Tilehurst, but GB3RU is not located on the mast shown (unfortunately).

Fairly recently we updated the channel list for the KM3000 and KM4000 radios for 2025. The list was posted on this website under “downloads”. However, we have been notified that there were errors, which have now been corrected. They do not affect the radios in any way, simply that the channel number and repeater callsigns were not aligned correctly. So, if you have downloaded the channel plan since the McMichael Rally until the 20th July 2025, it would be best to download the updated one today.

We’re pleased to announce that we now have a substantial number of KM3000 and (later) KM4000 radios to sell. It took us longer than expected to get the radios but they have been with us since May. We were working to have them ready for the Newbury Rally, but unfortunately this was cancelled. Luckily, the following week (this coming Sunday, 13th July) sees the McMichael Rally which this year is being held near Bracknell. See mcmichaelrally.org.uk for details.

Our stand at the Rally will be amongst the Club Stands to the north of the site. The radios for sale will all be KM3000s with a new updated channel plan. We hope to see some of you then.