EI2PMD - New Digital Gateway on 2m in Dublin

Update 14th March 2021: The new digital gateway in Dublin can now cater for DMR and D-Star modes.

IRTS News... New Multi-mode Digital Gateway, EI2PMD, Portmarnock, North Dublin

Ger, EI4HOB is pleased to report that the new Multi-Mode Digital Gateway, EI2PMD, located in Portmarnock, North Dublin, is now fully operational. The Gateway operates DMR, C4FM and D-Star on 144.825 MHz with a wide coverage of Dublin from the Northside down to the Tallaght and Dún Laoghaire areas. The DMR operates on Time Slot 2 and Colour Code 2. DMR Defaults to TG 2724, C4FM to IE-YSF-Ireland and D-Star to DCS 049 I. The Gateway operates 25 watts of power into a vertical colinear antenna. This gateway will provide a much needed digital service for the Dublin area. Good coverage reports have been received to date as borne out by the coverage maps.

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Original post 22nd Jan 2021...In the last few days, a new Yaesu C4FM Digital Gateway for the Dublin area went on air.

Steve EI5DD writes..."A new C4FM Wires-X Gateway, EI2PMD, located in Portmarnock, Dublin, became active today (19th Jan 2021). The Gateway is operating on 144.825MHz and is linked to the CQ-IRELAND Room along with systems from Galway, Limerick, and Northern Ireland. YSF-Ireland, DMR TG 2724, and the Peanut App. We congratulate Ger EI4HOB for placing the first Digital system on air in the Dublin area."

As amateur radio digital repeaters and gateways have popped up around Ireland over the last few years, the one obvious omission was a digital repeater/gateway near the capital Dublin. This is in marked contrast to what usually happens with any new technology in that it usually starts near the capital or main city of a country and then spread outwards.

The new digital gateway is located in Portmarnock in the north side of Dublin City and it uses the 2m frequency of 144.825 MHz.

The approximate coverage is shown below...

From what I understand, the RF part of the gateway is confined to those using YAESU C4FM digital radios at present. It is hoped that in time, it will become a multimode gateway allowing DMR operation.

The gateway runs 20 watts into a Diamond omni-directional antenna.

Well done to EI4HOB and the North Dublin Radio Club for getting project up and running.