Good operating practices, operations rules and tips.

Thanks to Dave Cameron VE7LTD, Amateur Radio is receiving a new breath of life through his Internet Radio Linking Project.   Many repeaters around the world that were next to empty are now alive and well with radio amateurs now speaking with other hams around the world.

As with any new technology, it does take some time to adopt to operating procedures that differ from conventional FM repeater use.  This work in progress can serve as a guideline for those wishing to use their local IRLP enabled repeater node.

PLEASE NOTE:
The following guidelines may differ from those provided by your local node operator.  These notes are only a guideline and at no time should take precedence over the wishes of your local node sponsor. 

COMMON MODES

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 Indiana Reflector (Node # 9200) and also Las Vegas Reflector (Node # 9250).  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 the status page  and looking for nodes connected to reflectors.

REFLECTOR USE

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:

1. Pause

2. Pause

3. Pause  (This means 3 seconds please!)

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. 

By leaving a pause between transmissions it ..... 

• allows users on other nodes a chance to check in.

• allows other nodes time to send touch-tone commands to drop their node.

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

Avoid local traffic while connected to the reflector. 

By its nature, the reflector has a large footprint and a wide audience, therefore if local users would like to have a discussion, they should disconnect from the reflector. If  a local conversation (all participants coming from the same node)  continues,  one of the other reflector control ops will likely ask them to disconnect. If attempts to break into the conversation are unsuccessful, the node may be blocked from the reflector (more on blocking later).

Along the same line, if two stations become engaged in an extended dialog involving only themselves, then it would recommend they both move off the reflector and make a direct node to node connection, freeing up the reflector for others. If more than two nodes are involved, then moving to one of the lesser used reflectors might be an alternative, especially if one of the stations can check the web site for an available reflector. In the future, moving to one of the available sub-channels will become an option.

Avoid discussing access codes and/or procedures. 

This is not so much a security issue, but simply an awareness that IRLP is implemented differently on nearly every node, as well as large variations in local policy. While there is a *standard* set of codes to connect and disconnect, some nodes are fronted by a pre-access code, or repeater controllers that impose additional commands based upon the specific configuration of their repeater/IRLP connection. Also, policy toward users varies all over the map. Some machines are closed members only operations, others are fully open everyone welcome operations, and everything in between. A responsible operator on a reflector respects these local differences and recognizes their conversation may be heard on repeaters all over the world, let alone the Live365 audio stream. KA4EPS repeaters are open to all amateur radio operators. Please help keep these nodes open to all.

Other than that, pretty much anything that is consistent with "good Amateur practice" on any Ham Radio frequency is acceptable.

It is acceptable to call CQ, in fact, if you really want to make a contact, it is preferable to say "This is KA4XYZ calling CQ, is anyone available for a contact?" as opposed to "KA4XYZ  Listening" ...silence for 2 minutes, followed by a disconnect. However 3 x 3 x 47 CQs are unnecessary and should be left for CW/SSB frequencies where tuning around is the observed practice. Odds are we heard it the first time. Also, while on the subject, no need to repeat every other word. This is not HF and your signal is not expected to fade out as it does on HF.

It is acceptable to talk about the weather, or anything else that is geographically significant. But like anything else, within reason. A station in Indiana that says to a Colorado op, "Hey I heard that you have a mountain out there" will probably cause eyes to roll worldwide.

In general though, long winded, channel consuming conversations should be avoided. Remember there are usually a dozen or two connected systems, with perhaps hundreds of users that might like a chance to use the system.

A few other Reflector operational guidelines:

1. Listen first. When connecting to the main channel on Reflector 9200, odds are that you are dropping into an existing conversation. Wait for at least 15 seconds to make sure you are not interrupting an existing QSO before calling.

2. Pause between transmissions. Many nodes are connected using simplex links, therefore the only time it is possible for them to disconnect is between transmissions. Be sure to pause AT LEAST 2 seconds between transmissions.

3. Key your transmitter and wait 1 at least 1 second before speaking. There are propagation delays across the Internet, as well as delays caused by sub audible tone decoders and other devices that cause a delay before the audio path is cut through. If you speak immediately upon PTT, the beginning of your transmission will not be heard.

MAKING A DIRECT CONNECTION

First of all listen on your local machine 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:  "KA4XYZ accessing the 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 nodes voice ID to the other repeater.

NOTE: If your node is already connected to another node or reflector, a greeting will play saying; - "your node is currently connected to...ID of the connection")  In this case confirm if anyone desires the connection to remain up before dropping by using the OFF code.. 

Once connected and after hearing the confirming voice ID, wait at least 15 seconds before transmitting as.......

• The repeater may be in use, and your entry may have occurred between transmissions.

• 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.

• Their computer may be slower, and hence take longer to process the connection than yours.

Press and hold the microphone PTT for a second and then announce your presence and your intention such as you are calling someone specifically or just looking for a QSO with another ham in that city.

If no response is heard, announce your call and your intent to drop the link and then touch- tone in the OFF (73) code.  If you are on a reflector, it would be ideal to dial the off code first, then ID. No need for the world to hear your attempt.

Some nodes are configured so you cannot connect to them if that repeater is active.  In this case you will receive the message "The node you are calling is being used locally"  If you receive this message wait 5 or 10 minutes and then try again.

If  you stay connected to a node and there is no activity on your repeater for 4 minutes, the connection will time out and automatically disconnect with a voice ID disconnect message on both nodes.

WHAT ARE THE NODE CODES?

This is a very common question to which there is no single answer.  Some node operators choose to add a prefix to their node.  Also some nodes require membership so the easiest way to get current codes is to contact the node operator or custodian.  Use QRZ on the node call for an email address.

CONNECTING TO THE REFLECTOR

As above, listen to your local machine for local use and then announce your intention for the Reflector before keying the ON command.  When you hear the confirmation ID always WAIT at least 15 seconds before transmitting as you are most likely now connected with many repeaters and a QSO could be in progress.  If after 15 seconds you hear nothing, identify yourself and indicate you are listening to the Reflector  from "City and, Prov./State, Country". With the world wide IRLP activity your local repeater now has world wide coverage thus the suggestion to better detail your QTH.

Don't be in a hurry to hear someone come back to you.  You may have to do a bid of pleading from time-to-time to un-lodge someone from whatever they are currently involved with. 

By default, connections to the reflectors now time out with no activity however many node owners set this period for a long period so it is not unusual for repeaters with minimal traffic to stay connected to the Reflector for extended periods of time. When or if  the node times out from a Reflector connection a standard time-out greeting will precede the timeout saying, "Activity time out ... Reflector xxxx, link off" KA4EPS repeater nodes are set to 2 hours.

If you are new to IRLP you should always consult with your local node sponsor to confirm the local guidelines on reflector connections in your area.

If you hear or wish to engage in a prolonged rag-chew on your local repeater (long discussion of a local nature)  out of courtesy to other node listeners drop the reflector.

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:

"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.

"BEEP Error- The call attempt has timed out, the connection has been lost"
This error occurs when a node is OFF-LINE.  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.

"The Connection Has Been Lost"
If the internet connection drops, this error message will be heard.  I found this out when I accidentally kicked out my network cable while working around the node computer.

DO'S and DON'TS
In summary, here area few do's and don'ts

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

• DO identify before sending DTMF command tones.

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

• DO NOT rag-chew on your local repeater while connected to the reflector.

• DO pause for 10 seconds or when entering the reflector before talking.

General Repeater Rules