SHARC Byte News

February 2002 Issue

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With the Christmas Meeting there were no December minutes so the ones in the January Issue should be current.

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INFORMATION

Well It’s time to dust off the manual to your radio and finally program in Dick’s Repeater to join in some “new fun” that is now in place on the 147.445 machine. Contacts to the UK and Australia are common!

He has started to use a system that allows anyone that can access the 147.445 repeater to talk all over the world via Internet links. To use this repeater you will have to program your radio a bit differently.

Remember the offset is going to be down 1000 instead on the usual 600 so you will have to learn to do “odd split” repeater settings that are explained in the manual that came with your radio. It can be a bit different for each brand so read so as not to have every channel on your radio going “down 1000”. Then read and program in for that repeater a CTCSS tone of 107.2.

Then LISTEN for a bit first before using it and learn how this system differs from other repeaters when Internet links are up and running.

The next section is from Dick WB6HII in his own words, about the system and then I added some of the web sites suggestions after Dick’s explanation!

As many of you now know, I have installed hardware and software to enable linking the 147.445 repeater into the Internet via the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP). To find out more about this go to: http://www.irlp.net and prepare to be amazed!

You are all invited to use the linking system, but there are some operation guidelines that must be understood and followed.

I suggest you print this and keep for reference. Any questions on operation on IRLP just call me on the 147.445 repeater.

For the time being I want to have control of linking and delinking until the system is "burned in" a bit more and all who want to use it can be briefed on the correct procedures on linking. Meanwhile, call me if

These are from the web site and can be used as a guideline to using the IRLP system.

With reflector use the first thing we must all remember is to leave a gap between transmissions. Having said that this is a good time to list the three main rules when connected to a reflector:

Due to the slight increase in delays created by multiple Tone Squelch radios in the links between the repeater and IRLP link radio, a slight change in our normal operating procedures is required with IRLP.

DO hold your microphone PTT for about 1 second before talking to allow all systems time to rise.

There are two connection modes for an IRLP connection. Direct one-to-one or, one-to-many via a Reflector.

Direct connect is just like it sounds where repeater (node) "A" connects direct with node "B". With this type of link the two nodes are interconnected and no other IRLP connections are possible. While repeaters "A" and "B" are connected, anyone attempting to connect with either node will be told by a recording that - "The node you are calling is currently connected to callsign" however all local traffic on each repeater will be heard on the other repeater as well.

While Direct Connect is preferred for a city-to-city chat, the most common type of connection in use today is via the Denver Reflector (Ref2). A reflector is a Linux computer that is not connected to any radio but rather sits on lots of Internet bandwidth capable of allowing many repeaters to be inter-connected together by streaming the received audio back to all other connected stations. At any given time there are usually 6 to 10 repeaters around the world interconnected via this Reflector. You can always check which stations are connected to the reflector by visiting http://status.irlp.net and looking for nodes connected to

With reflector use the first thing we must all remember is to leave a gap between transmissions. Having said that this is a good time to list the three main rules when connected to a reflector:

The most important guideline to remember is leaving a pause after pressing the PTT button as well as between transmissions.

Announcing you are looking for a QSO or acknowledging someone else's call differs from your local repeater were you usually just give your call. With IRLP your transmission is now being heard on many repeaters around the world and others may not just be sure what your intentions may be.

To resolve this it is a good idea to give your callsign (phonetically) along with your name and your QTH and state you are monitoring for a call. Many listeners are mobile and may only pick out your prefix, your name or possibly just your QTH.REFLECTOR ROUND TABLES

Round tables are conversations involving more than 2 parties. Unlike a net a roundtable requires some organization to keep the conversation thread passing in an orderly fashion from party to party. Do not become intimidated if a group grows and, if mobile, do not be overly concerned if you are unable to remember all or any callsigns. Just try and remember the call and or name of the next station that you pass it to. If you are listening and wish to break into a conversation, let a cycle go by so you

know the participating station are then announce your callsign during one of the "pauses". You should be recognized and then when finished with your transmission be sure to specify who you are turning it over to. If you do not specify a station to pick up the connection chaos will result as 2 or more stations may try to talk at once.

ESTABLISHING A CONTACT

When you hear a station that you wish to speak with always identify who your call is meant for. It is not a good idea to simply state your call but rather your call and your intentions.

Scenario: Several stations including a DX station complete a QSO and you wish to contact the DX station. Action: VK3xxx this is Joe K9xxx in Kalamazoo Michigan. By doing this rather than just IDing with your call, you leave no question who you wish to speak with. A simple ID many times goes unanswered as neither station knows who you are calling.

BREAKING INTO A QSO

When an existing conversation is underway and the topic of conversation is of interest, just give your callsign between breaks and the next station to take it should acknowledge you and bring you into the QSO. PLEASE do not break into an existing QSO because you want to work one of them. This is poor ham radio etiquette and on HF would result in a severe chastisement :-)

NETS ON A REFLECTOR

Nets on a reflector without prior approval of the Reflector manager are highly frowned on and will no doubt be quickly challenged by someone. A roundtable can sometimes be construed as a net so be somewhat careful if a group gets to large as it tends to monopolize the reflector.

If any wishes to organize a reoccurring net or use a reflector for a special purpose such as the Scouts annual JOTA weekend (Jamboree On The Air), they need to contact the reflector custodians.

MAKING A DIRECT CONNECTION

First of all listen on your local machine (147.445) for at least 15 -30 seconds before transmitting and then ask if the repeater is currently in use. Assuming all is clear, identify your self and give the node name or number you wish to call . Example: "VE3xyz for the Sydney node" - - then enter the ON code for the node and release your PTT. Your local repeater should come up with a carrier as it waits for the connection to be authenticated. This can take a few seconds of dead-air so don't be concerned. When the connection is confirmed, the voice ID of the destination node will be transmitted back to you as well as your node's voice ID to the other repeater.