The Internet Radio Linking ProjectThe Internet Radio Linking Project

Presented by thePresented by theKD4RAA Repeater GroupKD4RAA Repeater Group

Portions of this presentation are reproduced courtesy of VE3SY & VE7LTDPortions of this presentation are reproduced courtesy of VE3SY & VE7LTD

www.kd4raa.net

Presentation

Modes of Operation IRLP Node Status IRLP Operation How To IRLP Active nodes (maps) 146.775 on reflectors

441.725 point-to-point Raleigh IRLP Policy

2m open / 440 for supporting membership

Use – things to remember IRLP QSO Demo

Introduction - who we are KD4RAA-K4JDR Repeater

Group and Link System Affiliated repeaters What is IRLP? Nodes vs. Reflectors Reflector Mode Point to Point Mode Inventor Technology - How it Works Node 426/427 configuration

First organized in 1994

• Cooperative effort of NC and SC hams

• Not affiliated with any specific club

• Purpose: fostering good amateur radio practice, developing technical skills, repairing and maintaining

repeater systems, exploring new technologies, and taking an active role in helping establish and maintain local,

interstate, and international repeater network capabilities

• Individual ham radio operators bringing distinctive skills, resources and knowledge to facilitate other

organized efforts and repeater projects

• Self-supporting though the generous donations and cooperation of area hams and non-hams

The KD4RAA Repeater Group

Target Goal of KD4RAA-K4JDR Repeaters…

HAVING FUN with Amateur Radio !

KD4RAA-K4JDRSupported Repeaters

K4JDR 441.725 West Raleigh Hub (IRLP #427)KD4RAA 444.875 Raleigh Temp Site K4JDR 444.775 CaryNC4SU 146.775 Raleigh Fairgrounds (IRLP #426) W4ATC 442.675 NCSU, Raleigh (IRLP #741 temp)KA2FWC 443.625 Ericsson, RTPN4HAJ 444.575 Kinston (IRLP node #429)N4ZBB 444.675 RTPKB4PQA 443.125 Greenville, SCK4JDR 444.150 Clayton (soon) NE4J 444.650 MiddlesexKB4WGA  444.925 DurhamKB4WGA   444.375 Henderson- Kerr Lake K4OBX 145.150 Buxton- Outer BanksKD4MJO   443.525 South Hill, VAN4JDW 145.170 Wilmington, NC (IRLP node 748)

KD4RAA-K4JDRLinked as ofApril 2002

K4JDR 441.725 West Raleigh Hub (IRLP #427)KD4RAA 444.875 Raleigh Temp Site K4JDR 444.775 CaryNC4SU 146.775 Raleigh Fairgrounds (IRLP #426) W4ATC 442.675 NCSU, RaleighKA2FWC 443.625 Ericsson, RTPN4HAJ 444.575 Kinston (IRLP #429)N4ZBB 444.675 RTPKB4PQA 443.125 Greenville, SCK4JDR 444.150 Clayton (soon) NE4J 444.650 MiddlesexKB4WGA  444.925 DurhamKB4WGA   444.375 Henderson- Kerr Lake K4OBX 145.150 Buxton- Outer BanksKD4MJO   443.525 South Hill, VAN4JDW 145.170 Wilmington, NC (IRLP node 748)

KD4RAA-K4JDRProposed Linked

K4JDR 441.725 West Raleigh Hub (IRLP #427)KD4RAA 444.875 Raleigh Temp Site K4JDR 444.775 CaryNC4SU 146.775 Raleigh Fairgrounds (IRLP #426) W4ATC 442.675 NCSU, RaleighKA2FWC 443.625 Ericsson, RTPN4HAJ 444.575 Kinston (IRLP #429)N4ZBB 444.675 RTPKB4PQA 443.125 Greenville, SCK4JDR 444.150 Clayton (soon) NE4J 444.650 MiddlesexKB4WGA  444.925 DurhamKB4WGA   444.375 Henderson- Kerr Lake K4OBX 145.150 Buxton- Outer BanksKD4MJO   443.525 South Hill, VAN4JDW 145.170 Wilmington, NC (IRLP node 748)

New Repeater Henderson 444.375+ 100.0 PLKB4WGA

Directional

NorthEast

KD4RAA-K4JDR Supported RepeatersGeneral Transmitter Location

What is I.R.L.P. ?

IRLP stands for Internet Radio Linking Project, the brainchild of Dave Cameron

VE7LTD of Vancouver BC.   Dave was frustrated with the unreliable operation of the Windows based IPHONE and decided to build a system on a LINUX platform.

Iphone and other systems use VOX where the IRLP digital concept reduces delays to

almost nil thus many less missed first words of a transmission.

IRLP System Designer • Callsign: VE7LTD   • Name: David Cameron• Addr: 4708 CAULFIELD DRIVE• City : WEST VANCOUVER, BC V7W 1G2• Country: CANADA• Birthday: 06 Aug 1975• Email: ve7ltd@irlp.net• Home Page: http://www.irlp.net

VE7LTD and VK2YXVE7LTD and VK2YX

Eight months later in 1998 the IRLP network was born and is now on Version 2.0+ of hardware/software and growing

in leaps and bounds.

IRLP allows the linking of two or more repeaters together using Voice over IP technology (VoIP) where the analogue radio audio is converted to digital IP

packets and sent over the net.

IRLP requires a full time high speed Internet connection, a dedicated Linux

computer, some custom hardware and a link radio. Each Linux box on the IRLP

network is assigned a code and a central name-server keeps track of the IP

addresses (IP= the routing code used by all packet of internet data flowing on the

internet) in use by all nodes.

The IRLP uses a Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) streaming software called Speak Freely. Linux is the operating system of choice for the IRLP system as it allows the best in reliability, programmability, efficiency, and functionality.  Most IRLP nodes use RedHat Linux 6.2 as it is a very stable

release and runs very smooth on any 486 Dx100 class or better computer .

David’s custom IRLP software -takes the audio from the receiver which is fed into the sound card - where it is converted

into ADPCM digital data the same format used by the phone companies for Long

Distance service.

IRLP by design requires Amateur Radio access, all QSO’s are over the air. No computer to computer access is

allowed (this is not I-link)

IRLP … Amateur Radio or Not ?

Hardware from VE7LTD

• The Custom Red Hat CD-ROMThe Custom Red Hat CD-ROM

• Red Hat Boot DisketteRed Hat Boot Diskette

• Custom IRLP SoftwareCustom IRLP Software

• Custom IRLP Control Board by Custom IRLP Control Board by Dave Cameron VE7LTDDave Cameron VE7LTD

• Does COR, PTT & DTMFDoes COR, PTT & DTMF

• DB9 IRLP to Repeater Interface DB9 IRLP to Repeater Interface

• LPT1 to IRLP Jumper CableLPT1 to IRLP Jumper Cable

DB9 for Xcvr Inter-face

DB25 for Data Control from Linux Box & IRLP

+12VDC from PC

IRLP Indicators on Control Board

– DTMF Decode Sense – Carrier Operated Squelch Sense

– PTT out to Link Radio or Controller

Typical Node Setup No.1

CATV/DSL MODEM

Router

IRLP Computerw/ Custom Red Hat 6.2

O/S

8-64Kb Internet connection

To another IRLP Node

10Mb Ethernet Connection

10/100Mb Ethernet Connection

Repeater ControllerLink Port

Repeater orRemote Base

PTT COR Audio

PTT COR Audio

RF Link

Link XcvrLink Xcvr

PTT COR Audio

RF Link

Typical Node Setup No.2

CATV/DSL MODEM

Router

IRLP Computerw/ Custom Red Hat 6.2

O/S

8-64Kb Internet connection

To another IRLP Node

10Mb Ethernet Connection

10/100Mb Ethernet Connection

Repeater ControllerLink Port

Repeater orRemote Base

PTT COR Audio

RF Link

Link Xcvr

PTT COR Audio

RF Link with

CTCSS gating COS

Typical Node Setup No.3

CATV/DSL MODEM

Router

IRLP Computerw/ Custom Red Hat 6.2

O/S

8-64Kb Internet connection

To another IRLP Node

10Mb Ethernet Connection

10/100Mb Ethernet Connection

Repeater ControllerLink Port

Repeater orSimplex Radio

PTT COR Audio

RF Link

PTT COR Audio

Node 426 – KD4RAA (1)

Internet Hub

Multi-PortSwitch

IRLP Linux Computer w/ Custom Red Hat 7 O/S & IRLP interface

300Kb Internet connection

To another IRLP Node

10Mb Ethernet Connection

10/100Mb Ethernet Connection

VHF Link Radio PTT,COR, DTMF,TX/RXAudio

Local 2M146.775 Repeater

RF Link

NODE TO NODE TO REFLECTORREFLECTOR

Node 427 – KD4RAA (2)

Internet Hub

LinksysRouter DHCP

IRLP Linux Computer w/ Custom Red Hat 7 O/S & IRLP interface

300Kb Internet connection

To another IRLP Node

10Mb Ethernet Connection

10/100Mb Ethernet Connection

UHF Link Radio PTT,COR, DTMF,TX/RXAudio

Local UHFRepeater

RF Link

NODE –TO-NODE –TO-NODENODE

Node 429 – N4HAJ Kinston

Internet Hub

LinksysRouter DHCP

IRLP Linux Computer w/ Custom Red Hat 7 O/S & IRLP interface

300Kb Internet connection

To another IRLP Node

10Mb Ethernet Connection

10/100Mb Ethernet Connection

UHF Link Radio PTT,COR, DTMF,TX/RXAudio

Local UHFRepeater

RF Link

NODE –TO-NODE –TO-NODENODE

748 – N4JDW Wilmington

Internet Hub

LinksysRouter DHCP

IRLP Linux Computer w/ Custom Red Hat 7 O/S & IRLP interface

300Kb Internet connection

To another IRLP Node

10Mb Ethernet Connection

10/100Mb Ethernet Connection

VHF Link Radio PTT,COR, DTMF,TX/RXAudio

Local VHFRepeater

RF Link

NODE –TO-NODE –TO-NODENODE

741 – KD4RAA-3 Raleigh

Internet Hub

LinksysRouter DHCP

IRLP Linux Computer w/ Custom Red Hat 7 O/S & IRLP interface

300Kb Internet connection

To another IRLP Node

10Mb Ethernet Connection

10/100Mb Ethernet Connection

UHF Link Radio PTT,COR, DTMF,TX/RXAudio

Local UHFRepeater

RF Link

NODE –TO-NODE –TO-NODENODE

100MB Switch

10MB Hub

Linksys Router

DualBand 2M/440Control Xcvr

440 Link Radio 2M Link Radio

Audio Equalizer and Broadcast LevelingKD4RAA

Node 426 / 427Configuration

Modes of Operation

There are two modes of IRLP operation

Point to Point Mode – Only two repeaters are linked

–This mode is much like linking two repeaters together via a link radio or remote base

Reflector Mode – Multiple Audio Streams-Much like a party line – everyone hears everyone else

Reflector Mode

IRLPReflector

RPTR

RPTR

RPTR

RPTR

RPTR

RPTRRPTR

Australia

UnitedKingdom

Hawaii

North Carolina

Canada

California

Raleigh Reflector 921

Texas

Point to Point Mode

RPTR

RPTR

IRLPServer

Miami

Raleigh

30 Australia3 New Zealand140 Canada15 England + Scotland232 United States

IRLP Network

Caribbean1 Barbados2 Dominica3 Trinidad & TobagoOthers1 Antarctica1 Ecuador1 Japan1 Netherlands2 South Africa1 Sweden

IRLP Network

20+ new nodes per month Nets: IRLP International Nets (biweekly), ISS contacts, JOTA, Kids Net, Special Weather, others

IRLP Network

Australia United Kingdom

North Carolina’s first IRLP node, more planned

146.775 NC4SU #426located in Raleigh at 340 feet, near the Fairgrounds , open node, courtesy tone present when IRLP link is active, normally -REF 2

441.725 K4JDR #427 located in Raleigh at 340 feet closed node, NO courtesy tone/ hang when link is active. Linked to 444.875 Raleigh, 444.775 Cary, 444.675 RTP, 444.925 Durham, 444.375 Henderson

Control ops: Dan KD4RAA, Ron K4JDR, Todd N2XLJim WW4M, Byron K4NGJ, Ken N4ZBB, Jack N0VLD

East Coast Reflector 921 signed on October 18, 2001.  Its Red Hat Linux-based server resides at the offices of Inflow in Research Triangle Park.  Jack Thorpe, WA0ERX is the node administrator and is responsible for helping us secure the server and bandwidth at Inflow.

The purpose for having our own reflector is to link our regional participating repeaters in the KD4RAA-K4JDR Repeater Group that are out of range of our present RF capabilities.  This will give us Emergency and Severe Weather Coordination ability as well as provide support for Public Service Events.  We reserve use of 921 for coordinated response to severe weather and other conditions that affect North Carolina.

East Coast Reflector 921 has been used to:

Track our recent Winter Snow Storm. Nodes from GA, SC, NC, VA participated.

Coordinate the Worldwide Boy Scouts Jamboree over the Air. JOTA

Make a connection to the McMurdo Science station in Antarctica for a “This week in Amateur Radio Newsline” Feature.

“Broadcast” worldwide to participating IRLP nodes the International Space Station (ARISS) educational contact from Chapel Hill.

921 Used as the Primary Backup to the ever popular Denver Reflector 2 (920)

Connect our Regional IRLP Repeaters (Kinston, Wilmington, Outer Banks, and others) for Linking and Maintenance .

IRLP Node 429 activated December 2001

Doug Blizzard N4HAJ Kinston, NC 444.575 + 88.5

Link on Demand to Ref921 to K4JDR-KD4RAA link System

IRLP Node 748activated April 2002

David Whicker N4JDWWilmington, NC 145.170 + 88.5

Link on Demand to Ref921 to K4JDR-KD4RAA link System

IRLP Node 741activated April 2002

Danny Musten KD4RAARaleigh, NC Frequency Agile

Currently - 442.675

IRLP Nodes soon to come on line

Outer Banks(Richard Marlin K4HAT)

Greenville, SC (Terry Lambert KB4PQA)

Pause between transmissions, listen for others

Hold your PTT for about 1 second before talking to allow all nodes time to rise

No local rag-chews when on a reflector

Do not kerchunk -- which causes all other nodes to key up

Do not discuss codes -- refer inquiries to a local control op or request a supporting membership

Make sure your signal is solid

Anything you do on an IRLP reflector can be heard around the world.

Please listen to observe how others do it before you give it a try.

For More Information

IRLP in Raleigh

www.kd4raa.net

General Information about IRLP www.irlp.net

Node Activity & Connection Status status.irlp.net