IRLP – Internet Radio Linking Project

Node 4412
K8HF/R 147.36+
www.irlp.net

IRLP provides a way of connecting repeaters or remote bases together via the Internet. Unlike EchoLink this is a guaranteed RF to RF system that utilizes the Internet to carry the audio.

A Node is a repeater or remote base capable of connecting and talking to another IRLP node via the Internet.  Nodes have numbers and ham call letters. Nodes may contact another node or a reflector (see below). A node may not connect to multiple nodes at the same time. The K8HF/R repeater in Mansfield, Ohio is Node number 4412.

A Reflector allows multiple Nodes to be connected together acting like a ‘party line’ in which everybody can hear everybody else.  Reflectors have numbers and names, but not ham calls, i.e. Indiana Reflector, Western Reflector, Alaska Reflector, etc. As many as 25 or more nodes can be connected together on a single reflector. The number of connected nodes is limited only by the bandwidth of the reflector. When you connect to a reflector you can be heard world wide.

How do I know what nodes and reflectors are available? 

            You can print out a list from www.irlp.net, it is 28 pages long!Or you can go to www.irlp.net on the Internet and click on ‘Node Info’ then ‘List of Nodes and Frequencies’ to see what nodes are available, and from ‘Node Info’ click on ‘Connected Nodes and Reflector Status’ to see only the connected nodes.

How do I connect to the node or reflector I want? 

(You must have 71.9 Hz PL to use IRLP, it will not work without PL by design.) 

Identify and key in Touch Tone 33YYYY where YYYY is the node number or reflector number, i.e. 339250 links to the Western Reflector 9250 (33 is IRLP prefix).  You will get a connection message from the node or reflector you are connected to.  Please identify before you send the TT code i.e. ‘K8HF to the IRLP link’.  When the link is connected you will hear a short ‘beep’ from the IRLP node when the distant station has dropped their carrier. When you connect to an IRLP node, the repeater will automatically switch to PL mode, even if it was in open mode. When you disconnect from the IRLP node, the repeater will revert to its original mode; open, TT/PL or weather. Also, when connected to another IRLP node or reflector the autopatch will be disabled as 3^rd party traffic is not legal in some countries that we might be connected to. Do not attempt to make an autopatch while connected to an IRLP node. You can tell that the repeater is connected to another IRLP node by listening to the courtesy tone (the tone transmitted when YOU quit transmitting), it will be an “I” (beep beep or dit dit).

How do I disconnect from IRLP?

Key your mic and send TT 3373 and identify i.e. ‘K8HF clear of the Western Reflector’.  Identify after you disconnect or else all of the reflector stations will all hear you,.  Note that some nodes say to identify before sending the disconnect command.

What else can IRLP do?

             3371 – Play ARRL Audio News – This will be automatically updated every Friday evening.

             3372 – Play Amateur Radio Newsline (long, about 20 minutes, also updated on Friday evening)

             3370 – Abort play of Audio News

             3379 – Play node number of last IRLP connection

What do I have to do different from normal repeater operation?

Before doing anything on the 36 repeater, listen for at least 30 seconds to make sure no one is using the system. After you have connected to a node or reflector, wait 3 to 5 seconds after the ‘beep’ between transmissions.  There is a delay through the Internet and the various radio systems. It also gives other hams a chance to break in, or to disconnect their Node.

IRLP OPERATING GUIDELINES (from the Western Reflector REF9250, Las Vegas, NV)
Listen to others use the IRLP to get the hang of it. Here is a few DO's and DON'Ts:

DO pause between transmissions to let other in or others to enter DTMF command.

DO hold your microphone PTT for one or more seconds before talking to allow all systems time to connect.

DO NOT try to make or break connections unless you are an authorized control operator. Those who control must identify themselves as controlling before sending DTMF command tones and return the node to the connection state you found it in, i.e., idle or connected to a node or reflector. Always ask if someone is using the connection before you change it.

DO NOT rag chew locally on a reflector or on a node connection. When the IRLP system is busy keep QSOs to 5 minutes or less.

DO pause for at least three to five seconds before talking after the node connects to a reflector to make sure you will not talk over a QSO in progress.

DO NOT use 11 meter lingo when talking on the system. Speak normally. Some examples:

Don't say, "(call sign) trying."

Don’t say, "The personal here is _ _ _" (use name).

Don’t say, "Thanks for the comeback" (use thanks for the call/answer).

Don’t say, "I’ve destinated" (use I’ve arrived).

Don’t repeatedly say, "I hear that" or "roger that" or "QSL" in response to every transmission/comment.

Don’t say your, or the other person’s, call sign every transmission (only your call is required once every 10 minutes).

Don’t just kerchunk the repeater without saying your call (at least on the second kerchunk).

Don’t shout into your microphone.

Don’t give one-word answers or comments.

Don’t break in on an ongoing conversation unless you know who all is in it, and you have something meaningful to contribute.

When in a QSO with more than two people involved, turn it over to someone by name (go ahead Jim).

When you sign clear, turn it over to someone by name or call (don’t just sign clear because no one knows who should pick up).

Use a mike hanger in your vehicle to avoid sitting on the microphone and inadvertently keying up the system with people all over listening to your conversation.

Control of the IRLP node is for IARC Repeater Members Only.  Once connected, anyone can talk on the node.  Transients can have a member connect. Do not give out the IRLP codes to non-members.