Note: I have been informed that my information on GB3ZI is out of date. I will update this post once I know more.
Since I passed my Amateur Radio Foundation Exam a couple of months ago – mainly thanks to the excellent course run by Essex Ham (yes, I am aware that I live quite a way from Essex, but that does not matter) – I’ve been using the two local repeaters:
Callsign | Tx | Rx | CTCSS |
GB3SV | 145.6125 | 145.0125 | 94.8 |
GB3ZI | 430.9750 | 438.5750 | 103.5 |
As you can see from this map, I’m about half way between them:

Elevation Profile from GB3SV to my place:

GB3SV is mounted on a telecoms mast, so the height needs to be adjusted by something like 30 metres (confirmed), and my mast (when up fully) is 8 metres tall (usually it is just collapsed to 2 metres). So in theory, I’m very close to having a line-of-sight.
Similarly, GB3ZI to me:

Now GB3ZI is atop a 4 storey building that I used to work in. Back in the day I installed a 2-axis rotatable satellite dish up there. I know that despite the apparent lump of Kingston Hill (the big bit on the left), I could see my current house from there.
I have no problem accessing either Repeater from my tawdry little shed, using my Baofeng UV-5R connected to my home-made Antenna.
But if you hear M7TXB on either, that is me..
Tony if you think GB3ZI is on the Beacon building on what was Staffordshire University it moved from there about 5 years ago. It’s now near the hospital.
Ah, thanks. I’m just going stuff I found on t’internet. I’ll update my stuff when I work out exactly where it is.