FreeSTAR Network

GOTA Gateways on the air — live net with FreeSTAR

RadioForUs has been working with the FreeSTAR Network to get more GOTA Gateways built, linked, and actually used. Not another PDF — real gateways, real links, real people on the air.

Jack M9JAK (site, servers, the boring infrastructure) and Tom 2E0KOF (the channel, the videos, the coax-related chaos) are hosting a live net this Monday 8 June 2026 at 20:30 UK time. If you have a gateway, want one, or just want to hear what other people are doing — come along.

Monday night net — 8 June 2026, 20:30 UK

Hosts: Jack M9JAK & Tom 2E0KOF
Network: FreeSTAR — GOTA Gateways
Format: Open net. Quick intro, your gateway setup, questions, listen-only fine.
Who: Licensed ops, gateway builders, anyone curious about linking in.
Jack Brown
M9JAK
Tom
2E0KOF

What we’re doing with FreeSTAR

FreeSTAR runs a big multi-mode amateur network — AllStar, DMR, EchoLink, YSF, D-Star, and more, stitched together so people can actually talk across systems without needing six radios on the desk. RadioForUs got involved because Tom’s audience kept asking practical questions about linking gateways, and Jack was already elbow-deep in server stuff anyway.

The GOTA Gateway side is about getting simplex and repeater gateways onto the network so more people can join nets like this without faffing about. We’re not pretending it’s plug-and-play — it isn’t — but it’s doable, and Monday’s net is partly to show what’s working and what isn’t.

If you’ve built a gateway, broken one, or are still drawing the block diagram on the back of an envelope, that’s all useful. We’d rather hear honest “this bit melted” stories than polished demos.

How to get on the net

FreeSTAR’s main hubs are on AllStar. If you already have AllStar access through a local repeater or your own node, that’s usually the easiest route in. Check whether your club repeater or gateway is linked to FreeSTAR before Monday so you’re not scrambling at 20:29.

AllStar hubs

Main hubs: 2196 and 2167

Also used: 63061 (Herts Hub), 40063 (low bandwidth)

Full connection list: freestar.network

Other routes

EchoLink: M0JKT-L (node 662666)

DMR TG: 23426 on FreeSTAR System X, DMR+, TGIF, QuadNet

YSF: reflector YCS235, DGID 80

Turn up at 20:30 UK time. Keep overs short so others get a go. If you can only listen, that’s fine — loads of people start that way.

What to talk about

No script. No prize for longest over. Just radio people talking shop.

After Monday

This net isn’t a one-off sales pitch. We’ll keep posting gateway builds and linking walkthroughs on YouTube and the main RadioForUs site. If Monday goes well, we’ll run more — same network, same blunt honesty about what works.

Site issues or broken links on this page: report it here or email jack@radioforus.co.uk.