[Ham-News] Amateur Radio Newsline 1286 - April 5 2002

[Tim Miller]

Amateur Radio Newsline 1286 - April 5 2002

Australian radio regulators say no to I-LINK and the NCVEC says its time to revamp Element 2.  These stories are first on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1286 coming your way right now.

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INTERNATIONAL: I-LINK NOT LEGAL IN AUSTRALIA

One of the very popular internet based linking protocols appears to be illegal to use in Australia.  This as the Australian Communications Authority issues a finding against I-Link.  Q-News Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has the background:

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There are two competing systems being used in ham radio to link repeaters over the Internet.  One is called I-LINK and the other is I-RL-P.

I-R-L-P stands for the Internet Radio Linking Project.  It was developed in Canada by Dave Cameron, V-E-7-L-T-D.  It's aim is to link ham radio systems separated by long distance over the Internet without the use of expensive eased lines or satellites.  I-R-L-P uses Voice-Over-IP software to link radio sites around the world.  But I-R-L-P uses its own custom interface board and software suite running on a Linux platform.  And that's why many hams have opted for an alternative called I-LINK.

I-LINK does everything that I-R-L-P does in linking repeaters, but it does not require a computer running Linux or any proprietary hardware interface.  The needed software is available to anyone. It runs on a P-C and anyone can have it in their computer.  Even non-hams.  And that is what seems to be bothering our regulatory body, the A-C-A.  It says that the widespread and open availability of I-LINK could make it possible for non hams to get on the air.

Over the past few weeks, much comment has been made regarding the legality or otherwise of I-LINK here in Australia.  To clarify the A-C-A position, let me quote in part from a letter by John Martin the Federal Technical Advisory Chairman.

"There should be no issue with I-LINK because the A-C-A has made it clear that it must be impossible for anyone to gain access to an amateur transmitter by any means other than on- air working one of the stations that is connected to the link. The only system which can comply with this is I-R-L- P."

This action by our A-C-A appears to not sitting well with I- LINK proponents in other nations.  Some fear the decision here in V-K could bring similar action by other communications regulators in their parts of the world.

VK's National Society, the Wireless Institute of Australia's President Ernest Hocking VK1LK along with WIA/ACA Liaison team member Gilbert Hughes VK1GH met with the ACA Thursday 28 March  to discuss the current situation.

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Hocking:  "In order to address this situation the ACA have agreed to develop an information paper in conjunction with the WIA ACA liaison team.  This paper will aim to make clear the criteria under which Internet linking can take place.  The paper will not endorse specific software or systems. Rather it will provide clear guidance on the conditions that need to be met for the operation of such linked systems to remain legal within the the Radio Communications Act." --

It was agreed that every effort would be made to develop the paperwithin a period of 4 - 6 weeks.  WIA President VK1LK has called on the Ham population of VK to "ask for your patience over the next few weeks whilst this document is being developed".