[HCARC] Packet Echolink and IRLP

Fri Sep 13 22:32:31 EDT 2013

Here Here .. Well said

Echo link was my first access to the Monday night net ... IRLP helped me get familiar with pushing buttons on my little 706.  That said I haven't used either in months.  That is not to say there is no value in them.  Now if I can get off my rear and get a wire hung .. I can play with some of the big boys .. 

Rob.

-----Original Message-----
From: hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of SARA SANDSTROM
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2013 8:18 PM
To: Harvey N. Vordenbaum
Cc: H - W0HIP Terry (pres); H - Reflector
Subject: Re: [HCARC] Packet Echolink and IRLP

I   pondered long and hard whether I wanted to get into this discussion, and unfortunately I've decided I have to.  There are several issues I see in this subject.  First of all, one needs to consider why "repeaters" were developed.  The original intent was that repe aters would provide a single channel where local amateurs could meet for quick exchanges of information and local nets among other things.  Repeaters were mainly set up with mobile stations in mind so that they could participate in local nets and have local conversations with other mobile stations that they would otherwise not be able to work.  Contacts were intended to be short.  If a longer exchange was required, people were expected to switch to another  (non-repeater) channel.  

There were a few dedicated VHF/UHF operators but you never ever heard them on a repeater.  FM wasn't an efficient enough mode for them and besides a repeated QSO didn't count for any kind of an award.  You heard them on the low ends of the VHF/UHF bands runing high power transmitters, first CW and later CW or SSB, with large high gain antennas and low noise converters running into big HF receivers.  These were the only really dedicated VHF/UHF operators.  They usually and a bunch of "understudies" with low er p ower, smaller antennas, and not quite as good receivers. 

The early users of FM and repeaters primarily used them as a short range axuiliary link to support the ir other amateur activities such as HF DX, experiments, equipment C/O etc. 

Typically you would find one repeater in an area no matter how large.  Almos t a ll wer e on a standard pair, 146.34 in and 146.94 out.   

What happened?  Naturally, it was the manufacturers.  They discovered that 1) ther was a h uge untapped supply of hams who for one reason or another were unable to get on HF or on VHF/UHF with the dedicated VHF/UHF operators. 2)They could add enough "features" to these relatively simple FM transceivers so thye could sell them at prices nearly as high as reasonable HF rigs. 3 )There was no limit to the accessories that could be sold.  and 4) Very small and simple antennas wer e required. 

It was only a matter of time before these accessories started appearing on many of the repeaters.  Some of them are packet, echolink, IRLP, APRS etc.  Some of these are uninteligible to most repeater uses, packet and APRS, come to mind.  Naturally they create irritation!  To make matters worse, we now have a subset of hams who have no equipment other than an FM transceiver for the local repeater, and this subset is not small.  My guess is perhaps 25% of our club can get on anothe r frequency or mode than VHF FM.  What is worse, most can work perhaps one or two other stations than the repeater so the "esatblish contact and move to another frequency" style of operation just doesn't work. 

So where does that leave us? 

1) The primary purpose of the club repeater should be to support club activities.  These include the Monday evening training net, Skywarn nets, and nets to allow the club to provide public service to various local activities. 

2) In order to properly support club activities, our repeater needs certain extras such as IRLP and Echolink so that members outside the local area can check into our nets and to support communications with the NWS foe Skywarn activities. 

3) Club members should be encouraged to use the repeater when it is not being used to support an organized club activity with the understanding that it is a single channel that must be shared wuith all other members. 

4) The club should develop a program to assist its repeater-locked members to expand its horizons. 

I have a few final thoughts which may prove controversial.  First, any contact that inv olves any portion of the contact being repeated is not a valid amateur contact for any purpose other than to provide an extension for emergency purposes.  There is way too much of that going on on the bands.  The most recent VHF /UHF column discussed some EU stations showing up in the US on a VHF band.  Second, encoded/encryted has no place in ham radio.  Third, data rates considerably above thiose required to carry on a normal conversation are clearly suspect. 

Well I better quit now, but I 'd like to see others thoughts on this issue. 

Kerry  

rom: "Harvey N. Vordenbaum" <tower2 at stx.rr.com>
To: "Fred" <cw4evr at hctc.net>, "H - K3NXF - Ron (Web)" <K3NXF at yahoo.com>, "H - Reflector" <HCARC at mailman.qth.net>, "H - W0HIP Terry (pres)" <thipskind at suddenlink.net>
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2013 4:05:00 PM
Subject: Re: [HCARC] Packet Echolink and IRLP 

Let's not over react. 

 I think anything voice related such as Echolink and IRLP should be allowed and encouraged for the repeater.  After all it is hardly used at all most of the time. 

Now for  the packet, that can be relocated once the RC's internet gets opened where we can bypass their secure part. 

One application for Echolink is when we have storms the NWS people in New Braunfels would like to talk to observers here on the repeater. 

73, Harvey 

K5 HV 

N5Hr Repeater Trustee 

From: Fred [mailto:cw4evr at hctc.net]
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2013 11:33 AM
To: H - K3NXF - Ron (Web); H - K5HV Harvey; H - Reflector; H - W0HIP Terry
(pres)
Subject: Packet Echolink and IRLP 

All, 

Due to a complaint I would like to offer an apology to everyone I have offended with my add-ons to the N5HR repeater.  I do not want to do anything that will make the club loose members.  At this time I have removed the RMS, Echolink and IRLP.  I will continue to operate the IRLP 7779 node, but it will be on 146.52 as a simplex link into Kerrville.  Everyone who can reach my location on simplex is welcome to use it.  The callsign will become W0LPD.  Echolink has been shut down until further notice or someone else takes the sysop responsibilities.  The computer equipment at the club station I donated to the club, but the transceiver is on loan from K3NXF and should be returned to him if no one steps up. 

73 

Fred / W0LPD 

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