The MB6OK Wires-X Gateway is located in Ormskirk and funded, operated and managed by myself.
The gateway has been assessed by the RSGB Emerging Technology Co-ordination Committee (ETCC) and been awarded a Frequency Assignment Certificate.
MB6OK was previously assign the callsign MB6IOK, but was changed under the new licences introduced in 2024. Previously, the gateway only operated when there was somebody on-site, but now the station is available for you to use 24/7 as unattended operation is now permitted.
Details of station
| Date station assessed | 28/05/2024 |
| Date of next assessment | 27/11/2027 |
| Station Location | Ormskirk, L39 4TF |
| Grid Reference | SD40400719, IO83NN |
| Type of Transmission | Digital Gateway |
| Bandwidth of Channel | 12.5 KHz |
| Transmit Frequency | 431.125 MHz |
| Receive Frequency | 431.125 MHz |
| Maximum Permitted Power | 5 W erp (7dBW) |
| Antenna Height (Transmit) | 7 MAGL (Metres above ground level) |
| Polarisation | Vertical |
| Azimuth | Omni-directional |
| Power-off Method | Power socket controlled by mobile phone app |
| Transceiver | Yaesu FTM100D |
| Interface | Yaesu HRI-200 |
| Computer | Dell SFF with Windows 10 |
How Wires-X Works
Unlike other digital voice modes, there is no need to register with a managing authority to access the Wires-X network. Compatible transceivers can access the Wires-X network out of the box – no codes required.
Yaesu manages the Wires-X server. All Wires-X gateways connect to this server and all communication in and out of a gateway passes through it.
When you connect to the MB6OK gateway, you select the destination gateway. This is the gateway that your transmissions in to MB6OK will come out and be retransmitted over the air. This destination gateway could be anywhere in the world – you choose.
Alternatively, you can connect to a room; a space on the Wires-X network where users of many different Wires-X gateways can gather together for a chat. Some rooms are just general purpose chat groups, whilst others are set up for special interests.
Operation
Yaesu produce two types of digital voice transceiver; System Fusion and Wires-X. Whilst they are compatible with each other and can be used to talk directly with each other, only Wires-X transceivers can use gateways, such as MB6OK, to access the Wires-X network. So do make sure that you have a Wires-X transceiver to access MB6OK.
Once in range of the MB6OK gateway tune your transceiver to the gateway frequency (431.125 MHz). Press and hold the [DX] button on your Wires-X capable transceiver and it will broadcast a signal which MB6OK will receive. MB6OK will respond and create a link between your transceiver and the gateway. MB6OK will be displayed on your transceiver’s screen. You’re now connected.
Once connected you can search the Active ID List on the gateway. MB6OK will send your transceiver a list of gateways and rooms that you can connect to. Select required gateway and connection will be made for you by the Wires-X server – once complete you will see the destination gateway’s callsign appear on your screen. That’s it, everything you transmit now will be broadcast by the destination gateway and you can have a contact with other Wires-X users with range of it. There are more details on Yaesu’s website on how to use the Wires-X network.
We hope you find the gateway useful and we welcome any feedback you might have.