If you look at a current repeater list, you will see that GB3AM is located in Amersham, but the original GB3AM was located at the Rover Cars factory in Longbridge, SW Birmingham (the 'AM' callsign came from Austin-Morris - the company name at the time the project begun). It operated on R6/RV60 (145.750/145.150)

It was one of three 2 Metre repeaters that covered West Midlands and ran from the early '80s until the early '90s. See also GB3BM and GB3BX (still on the air).

The equipment comprised a Pye T30FM Transmitter, Pye R18 Receiver, 6 Cavity Duplexer built by G4HAC, a TDK Circulator for transmitter isolation, a custom-made Jaybeam Collinear antenna and a Control System built by G8PYT.

The Transmitter and Receiver were later replaced with Pye T4002 & R4002 respectively.

See G8EPR's Pye Museum for further information on the TX & RX equipment.

The coverage was specifically tailored for South Birmingham with particular attention being paid to the then newly opened M42 motorway and it was possible to use the repeater all the way up to the Northern end of the M42 in Leicestershire.

The repeater became popular from the day it was switched on and soon had a moderate number of regular users. This popularity continued right up the end of it's life.

Photographs coming soon - if we can find them!.

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