[CTSARA] [GNARC] Projects and Activites: AnIdea and InformalSurvey

[Chris- KB1QXR]

Hello again...

Jon- that wouldn't surprise me if they unlinked during rush hour.  However I
suspect it's at least partially because during rush hour there will be
traffic everywhere, meaning lots of NY area hams bored in their cars,
meaning lots of radio traffic.  Unlinking allows more overall RF traffic to
be handled, by letting the NYC people talk on one machine while the mid-LI
people use another (doubling the 'conversation capacity').
>From what I've seen of the area repeaters (mainly SARA), a traffic overload
isn't a problem we're likely to have anytime soon.  It is however worth
considering, as other repeaters may have more traffic than SARA.

On compatibility with controllers- 
from what I know (if I recall correctly) SARA uses the Arcom controller.  I
downloaded the programming guide for it, and upon cursory investigation it
offers a few useful things that should ensure compatibility with an
Asterisk/app_rpt system.  
First, certain commands (or all commands) can be programmed to require a
prefix code, an unlock code, or both, which can be combined to require 8-10
digits entered correctly to make the Arcom act on anything.  Using just the
prefix code means a simple 2-digit DTMF is required to make the arcom act on
the following sequence, then sensitive commands can be protected
additionally by a longer password.  Some commands (such as link/unlink) can
be programmed to not require any codes at all, only the prefix or nothing,
to allow their use by club members.
Public functions can be combined into macros which have 'simple' command
codes
Additionally, the Arcom recognizes all 16 DTMF codes (including A-B-C-D) and
they can be used in the access/prefix codes, making it even more unlikely
that users sending app_rpt requests would trip up the Arcom- simply make
none of the app_rpt commands include A-D.

On meeting to discuss this-  the 27th at 6-7 works for me...


On another note there is a rather important question-- does anybody who
actually manages the repeater think this idea doesn't suck?  I know this
list goes out to more than just the few of us that have been talking about
this, I don't know who exactly is in charge of what really yet...

It's one thing to imagine easily controllable linked repeater networks with
Asterisk boxes reading weather reports, but if the people in charge have no
interest in doing it (or letting someone else do it) then I/we are just
wasting our time...


73s
Chris KB1QXR


-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Perelstein [mailto:jperelst at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:27 PM
To: 'ctsara Mailman'
Subject: Re: [CTSARA] [GNARC] Projects and Activites: AnIdea and
InformalSurvey

Just to add to what Curt said -- you should be aware that the LIMarc
repeaters are NOT linked during prime drive time (morning and afternoon).
They in unlink them during those times to open up more local communications
during those periods -- the idea being that someone who is talking about the
traffic in Western Queens will not be of interest to someone out in Suffolk
County, and vice versa.  I don't know if it's something that is done
manually or if they have their linking system programmed to drop the links
during those times.

Jon, KB1QBZ

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