A keen member of the Manchester wireless society since the early 1980's I am also the the repeater Keeper for repeater GB3MI which is connected to ECHOLINK and Repeater GB7MI which is a Digital repeater but not connected into the ICOM DStar system.  Its has been my opinion that digital RF for the mobile user appears to be at best severly lacking and in the city mostly unworkable.

At the club they  do FREE R.A.E. Intermediate and Foundation course's for memebers only. Plus CW lessons to all levels . For details check the club website . http://www.g5ms.com.