N2CKH Node 404 IRLP Operating Guidelines
| Each user of the IRLP node should be familiar with how to use the system.
First a quick summary of DO'S and DON'TS:
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DO pause between transmissions to allow for control codes and to let others
in.
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DO hold your microphone PTT for about 1 second before talking to allow
all systems time to rise.
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DO NOT rag-chew on the local repeater while
connected to the IRLP, especially a reflector without someone over the IRLP being a party
to the conversation.
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DO pause for 15 seconds when connecting to a reflector to see if other
stations are already talking.
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DO identify before sending DTMF command tones to make sure your signal
is good enough that you can reliably bring down any connection that you
initiate. Currently, with the RC-1000 controller if your signal is not of
good quaility you will NOT get the courtsey tone when you bring up the
system.
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DO NOT discuss up/down codes on the air,
please refer people who want information to contact N2CKH via e-mail at n2ckh@arrl.net
The most important guideline to remember is leaving a pause after pressing
the PTT button as well as between transmissions. Just as with any
linking system, the IRLP is subject to some audio delays. These delays
are caused by the amount of time digital information can take to be compressed
and travel across the internet between the nodes. So the first thing to
remember is to slow down and be patient. When in a conversation,
remember to leave a second of dead air before speaking. Due to the
timing issues with the system some nodes may require a longer period.
By leaving a pause between transmissions you
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allow users on other nodes a chance to check in
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allow other nodes time to send touch-tone commands to drop their node
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IRLP Connections
| At present, Node 404 will indicate that the IRLP Port is active with an additional
Beep appended to the normal Motorola type "Bluurp" courtesy tone. The added Beep
does NOT indicate that an IRLP is in progress,
one MUST listen to make that determination. So
please always assume that the system in connected to IRLP when the extra Beep is heard.
If the ILRP port is not active, just ask for a control operator to enable the port
so that you can make your connection. If you do not yet have the codes to connect
the control operator will be glad to make the connection for you as well.
TIMEOUT: Should you stay connected to a node and there is no
activity for 1 hour (60 minutes), the connection will time out and automatically
disconnect providing voice IDs to both nodes that the other node is disconnecting. |
Making a direct connection
| 1. Initiating an IRLP connection is very similar to using an autopatch.
First of all, LISTEN on the repeater before transmitting and then
ask if the repeater is currently in use. Assuming all is clear and the courtesy tone
denotes the IRLP link is ON (Motorola Bluuurp plus Beep), identify
yourself and say what you are doing. Example: "N2CKH accessing node 423".
Then enter the node plus the ON code ("0") for a total of "4230" for node 423 and release your PTT (Remember On code = 0 and OFF code = 1). When the connection is completed 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.
NOTE: If the your repeater or the destination repeater is already connected,
a message will play to tell you so.
After entering codes to bring up a connection you should hear a carrier
as the repeater waits for the connection to be established. This
can take a few seconds of dead-air so don't be concerned.
2. After hearing the voice ID confirming the connection is established,
be sure to listen at least 15 seconds as:
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A QSO could already be in progress.
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The voice ID of your node is longer than the voice ID of their node, and
the connection is not made until the ID is fully played.
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Their computer may be slower, and hence take longer to process the connection
than yours.
3. When you hear the confirmation ID always WAIT at least 15 seconds
before transmitting as a QSO could be in progress. Press and hold
the microphone PTT and wait for a second before announcing your presence.
Are you calling someone specifically or just looking for a QSO with another
ham in that city?
4. If no response is heard, announce your call and your intent to drop
the link and then touch tone in the OFF code. It is not a good idea
to transmit touch-tone commands without first giving your call-sign.
Not only is this courteous it may be a regulatory issue in the country
to which you connected.
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Connecting to a reflector
| Reflectors are set up to only allow ONE person to talk at any given
time. The reflector will NOT mix audio but instead will allow the first
person who talks to continue talking until they are finished. So there
is no point in trying to talk overtop of another node, as you will not
be heard. Keep this in mind while using reflectors that due to the
delay in the system, you should always leave about 2 seconds between transmissions
to ensure that any priority traffic has the chance to talk. Also, if you
are not getting through, don’t continue to try every transmission, but
instead try to wait for a natural break in the conversation.
1. As above, listen to the local machine and then announce your intention
to connect to another node before keying the link on command.
2. After hearing the voice ID confirming the connection is established,
be sure to listen at least 15 seconds as:
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You are most likely now connected with many repeaters and a QSO could be
in progress.
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The voice ID of your node is longer than the voice ID of their node, and
the connection is not made until the ID is fully played.
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Their computer may be slower, and hence take longer to process the connection
than yours.
3. If after 15 seconds you hear nothing, identify yourself and indicate
you are listening to the Reflector from "City and State". With the world-wide
IRLP activity the repeater now has world wide coverage thus the suggestion
to better detail your QTH.
4. Don't be in a hurry to hear someone come back to you. You may
have to do a bit of pleading from time to time to un-lodge someone from
whatever they are currently doing.
By default, connections to the reflectors DO NOT time out with
no activity so it is not unusual for repeaters with minimal traffic to
stay connected to the Reflector for extended periods of time. Optionally,
node operators may invoke the reflector timeout option on their node.
In the case a greeting will precede the timeout saying, "Activity time
out ... Reflector two, link off"
Out of courtesy to other node listeners, please do not engage in a prolonged
rag-chew on the Reflector.
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Error Messages
From time-to-time you may receive error messages when attempting to
connect with a node or reflector. The most common ones are:
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"The node you are calling is not responding, please try again later"
This is caused by a loss of internet connectivity to one end of the call attempt.
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"BEEP Error- The call attempt has timed out, the connection has been
lost" This error occurs when a node is OFF-LINE or there is a software
error. Some nodes such as in the UK use dial-up connections and then,
only for short periods. Also there may be temporary net or node problems.
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"The Connection Has Been Lost" If the internet connection drops,
this error message will be heard.
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IRLP nets
Every other Sunday night there is an IRLP
net is held that invits check'ins from around the world which is an excellent
chance to hear IRLP at its best. The IRLP International Net is a good
opportunity to meet many others from around the IRLP network. To participate
in the net there must be a local net controller for your node otherwise you
will only be permitted to monitor. It is also required that the users of the
net follow strict guidelines to ensure that the net flows in a timely matter.
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Do not connect your local node to the net during net times unless you or someone
is going to act as a local net controller.
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Do not make calls directly to other stations during the net.
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Above all NO local conversations during the net while connected to the
reflector during a net.
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Do not attempt a call unless your local net controller has you as a pre-check-in.
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Disconnect the node if any local interference is present.
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Keep your check-in short and to the point. Remember that several hundred
others may be waiting for a chance to check-in as well.
The IRLP International net is a way for all hams in all areas of the world
to be hear and be heard. Lets keep the net viable with proper operation.
Check the Official
IRLP Net web page for details on schedules. |
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A global map of IRLP nodes is available
here
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Please click here to send e-mail to N2CKH.
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