IRLP from here in Charleston? (AVRS)

[Robert Bruninga]

> Mainly because IRLP is what is on the AMRAD repeater.  
> I see that it may be possible to add Echolink ...
> My... interest is to be able to talk to the AMRAD 
> gang, through the AMRAD repeater.  

Which is why I like Echolink.  You can do it from anywhere at
any time as long as you have a PC and a microphone.  From the
office for example, or home.  Although I am generally
disappointed that so many people use Echolink from their
arm-chair PC's without any RF, it does have its advantages.

> Using other (Echolink) repeaters in DC would 
> defeat that purpose...

Agree.  I was thinking about the on-line Echolink ability to
contact the repeater from any PC...

In fact, this gets me on my soap box that Echolink and APRS
should be tied together.  I have been touting this since 2001.
That is... We can do it now...  All we need is one person to
write the code that:

1) Knows where everyone is by APRS (watching the APRS-IS)
2) Knows where all the Echolink nodes are (watching the E-link
status)
3) Monitors APRS messages for any request to TALK to another ham
4) Sends out an APRS message to caller and callee telling them
what node is nearest them (including freq and tone)
5) The kenwoods and Yaesu APRS radios can AUTO-TUNE to those
freqs
6) Sends out a link command to establish the two node links.
7) The users talk.

The only thing the original requester did was (from his radio
front panel) was send a MSG to "ELINK" with the words "QSO
W3XYZ"  all the rest can be automatic.  See
www.aprs.org/avrs.html

Kenwood and Yaesu have done their part of the plan, but I still
need someone to write the AVRS engine to glue it all together.
Think of it as a ham radio cell-phone system, where all you need
is a callsign, not a phone number.

Bob, Wb4APR
> 
> But, thanks for all the comments from everyone so far.
> 73s
> Terry, WB4JFI
> 
> Robert Bruninga wrote:
> > I'm curious...
> > Why IRLP?
> > Why not Echolink which requires no special hardware?
> >
> > Bob, WB4APR
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: tacos-bounces+bruninga=nadn.navy.mil at amrad.org
> >> [mailto:tacos-bounces+bruninga=nadn.navy.mil at amrad.org] On
> >> Behalf Of Terry Fox
> >> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 2:24 AM
> >> To: tacos at amrad.org; Terry Fox
> >> Subject: IRLP from here in Charleston?
> >>
> >> The only IRLP node that I've found here in the Charleston
> >> area does not
> >> appear to be open and generally available.  It's on a
> >> repeater downtown,
> >> which is part of the HEART repeater system for hospital
> >>
> > disaster and
> >
> >> emergency use.  It is also part of the VOIP Wx net and
> >>
> > Skywarn.  It is
> >
> >> available by "permission only".  I'm sure me talking with
the
> >>
> > DC gang
> >
> >> would not be considered acceptable.
> >>
> >> So, I looked at the IRLP page, and found that I could buy a
> >>
> > "node"
> >
> >> hardware & software for $188 (which includes an "optional"
> >> $40 donation,
> >> yeah right).  I can scrounge up an old PC, and possibly a
> >> radio, to run
> >> the node.  For those of you familiar with IRLP, a few
> >>
> > questions:
> >
> >> 1.  Can I run the IRLP with the computer directly?  Maybe
> >> fake the COS,
> >> and just do my own sound in & out (no actual radios)?
Seems
> >>
> > doable.
> >
> >> 2.  If not, could I hook up a small radio (with COS mod) to
> >>
> > act as the
> >
> >> "node" radio (maybe into a dummy load), and use a second HT
> >> to actually
> >> talk/listen?
> >> 3.  I assume from reading the IRLP info that full-dux
> >> (repeater) is not
> >> required.  What hassles are involved in simplex use?
> >> 4.  Any legal issues with items 2 & 3 above?  What freqs
> >> would be legal?
> >> 2M and/or 440?
> >> 5.  What do the IRLP folks have to say about simplex
> >> operation and/or no
> >> actual radio?
> >> 6.  Would I need local coordination of a freq for just me?
Is
> >>
> > that a
> >
> >> repeater pair, or just simplex, and how is simplex
> >>
> > coordination done?
> >
> >> 7.  How about if I added someone else (maybe Mel) who lives
> >> only a mile
> >> away?  I believe I know the answer to this one... yes if
any
> >>
> > radiation
> >
> >> involved.
> >> 8.  Is it worth it?  If I make a few-hundred dollar
investment
> >>
> > to do
> >
> >> this, are there enough AMRAD people still on the repeater?
> >> 9.  Any thing else that I'm missing?
> >>
> >> I'd like to catch up with you guys, but I want to be sure
it's
> >> doable/worthwhile before putting the time and money into
this.
> >>
> >> Thanks.
> >> Terry, WB4JFI
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Tacos mailing list
> >> Tacos at amrad.org
> >> http://www.amrad.org/mailman/listinfo/tacos
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> 
>