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

Fri Aug 21 19:38:34 EDT 2009

Chris, I am glad several of you folks are showing interest and I will 
encourage those thoughts, I for one, will need to learn about this 
Asterisk thing, I know nothing about it....   As for simply having the 
DTMF codes for whatever you wish to use them for you need to keep in 
mind the controller (like all computer units) is just a dumb box.  So if 
the repeater needs a code of 123 to perform some function such as 
linking or unlinking or whatever, you must realize that dialing an 
echolink node of 231234 with cause the controller to "see" the 123 in 
the middle of that sequence and then implement that instruction.   The 
controller is ALWAYS listening and will evaluate any and all sequences 
to see if anything meets its preprogrammed numbers of DTMF tones.  It is 
NOT smart enough to know that there were leading or trailing digits, it 
only "sees" a sequence that it recognizes.  Due to the speed variability 
of 'dialing' from operator to operator there is no way to 'lock out' 
certain timing sequences or determine if that DTMF sequence is being 
used for something else...   The controller MUST evaluate ALL DTMF tones 
as any of them are considered by the controller as commands to it.....   
I hope you understand this...   I can do better explaining in person, so 
we will hope for next week or whenever we can arrange a discussion 
session...     
Suggest that all you guys jot down in writing what it is you think you 
want to do and write it down in sequence with discussions for each step 
so we can evaluate them in a more fuller way.  INclude both engaging and 
dis-engaging whatever function you wish.  Consider two functions 
simultaneously if possible, consider what happens if a simple autopatch 
is made in one of these modes, that the telephone number dialed won't 
cause a false command...    Somebody has to do it anyway to fully 
understand and evaluate these ideas from a technical viewpoint.  Then 
there is the 'political' side of this, that some users may not want this 
feature even part of the time, some want it quiet and available for use 
if and when needed, not for rag-chewing...others want 'company' while 
commuting, oh well, guess it is hard to please everyone all the time, eh???

Later

Curt

Chris- KB1QXR wrote:
> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> CTSARA mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ctsara
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CTSARA at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> CTSARA mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ctsara
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CTSARA at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
>   