The Internet Radio Linking Project

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The Internet Radio Linking Project
Presented by Basil Chuck Davidson, 6Y5DB
For IEEE Jamaica Section, August 20, 2003.
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Topics of Discussion

• Introduction
• Jamaica Amateur Radio Association
• What is Amateur Radio (ham radio)?
• Traditional Amateur Activities
• IT and Amateur Radio
• The Internet Radio Linking Project What it is
  and its impact on Amateur Radio.
  
• How it works
• Typical IRLP Node
• Scripting
• Security
• Reflectors
• Impact and the Future
• How to become a Radio Amateur
• More Information WWW sites to follow up.
• Demonstration of IRLP
• Thank You

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Jamaica Amateur Radio Association (JARA)

• Club station at Jamaica Red Cross (St Andrew)
• Under 100 members in Jamaica, active in the
  following areas
  
• Internet Radio Linking (IRLP)
• Satellites
• Education and Publicity
• Mobile and Portable Operation

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What is Amateur Radio?

• Amateur Radio stations are operated for the
  purposes of self training in radiocommunications,
  intercommunication using radiocommunications and
  technical investigation into radiocommunications
  by persons who
• do so solely with a personal aim
• have no pecuniary interest in the outcome of the
  operation of the station and
  
• are operated on specified amateur frequencies
  or frequency bands...
  

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Traditional Amateur Activities

• HF (Shortwave) communication
• Morse code
• Analog Voice
• VHF/UHF repeaters
• Satellite for hams
• Radio Teletype Packet switching
• Homebrewing (construction)
• Dxing (long distance contacts)
• Moon bounce transmission

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IT and Amateur Radio

• Computer Controlled Modes
• Packet Radio
• Slow Scan TV
• Narrow Band Teletype (PSK-31, etc)
• Digital Signal Processing
• Internet Radio Linking
• Remote Bases and Web Radios
• Internet Collaboration
• Publicity

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The Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP)

• Uses the Internet to link distant radio sites
  together using VoIP.
  
• Gives global coverage to normally localised VHF
  and UHF frequencies.
  
• Enables minimally equipped stations to
  communicate globally.
  
• Allows end user control of links via their
  radios DTMF (Touchtone) keypad.

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How Internet Linking Works
Mobile Station
Radio Link
IRLP Node
Distant Repeater
Internet
Repeater
IRLP Node
The Internet is used as a link
to connect distant repeaters together
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Typical IRLP Node

• Standard PC compatible is usually used.
• Pentium P100 or faster.
• Linux operating system (Red Hat).
• Soundcard and appropriate drivers.
• Simple hardware interface to control link radio.
• Radio tuned to the appropriate link frequency.
• ISDN/xDSL/cable/broadband Internet connection.

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IRLP Scripting

• The IRLP software is composed largely of bash
  shell scripts.
  
• Easily customised to suit local needs.
• Many functions and applications have been
  created.
  
• Node status (link off/on and where linked to).
• Time of day (talking clock).
• Weather reports.
• Parrot (simplex) repeater.
• Almost anything that can be run from the console
  can be controlled via radio if needed.

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IRLP Security

• Regulations prohibit unlicenced people using
  amateur bands.
  
• IRLP links are only accessible by amateur
  stations within range of a node. No direct
  Internet access.
  
• Internet links use PGP for authentication to
  minimise the risk of someone impersonating a
  node.
  
• OpenSSH used for remote administration.
• Linux packages updated automatically (autorpm).

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IRLP Reflectors

• Server that enables multiple nodes to be linked
  together into a network number limited only by
  bandwidth.
  
• Running a reflector requires very fast Internet
  access (32 kbps per connected node) to handle the
  multiple data streams. Most reflectors are
  hosted at Internet Service Providers who often
  donate the bandwidth.

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Impact of IRLP on Amateur Radio and the Public

• Level of amateur activity has increased
  dramatically.
  
• Amateurs who have been inactive for a long time
  are coming back on the air.
  
• Amateur Radio is becoming more appealing to
  todays Internet oriented youth.
  
• New opportunities for experimentation.
• Global network to communicate with the ISS

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The Future

• Internet linking is already becoming commonplace
  over 1,000 IRLP nodes on air.
  
• Improvements in technology will improve
  performance of links.
  
• IPV6 and multicast offer more flexible linking
  with less bandwidth.
  
• Technology can be ported to high speed amateur
  microwave and satellite links.

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How to Become a Radio Amateur

• Radio amateurs are licenced by the SMA (Belmont
  Road), once they pass required examinations in
  Amateur regulations, radio theory and, Morse
  Code.
• Examinations are conducted when arranged by the
  JARA.
  
• JARA runs study courses for amateur theory,
  regulations, and morse code.
  
• More information
• Amateur information from the ACA
• http//www.aca.gov.au/publications/info/amateur_su
  ite.htm
  
• Ron Bertrands online study course
• http//www.radioelectronicschool.com/

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More Information

• IRLP http//www.irlp.net
• The Shack of VK3JED
• http//vk3jed.vk.irlp.net
• Amateur Radio FAQ
• http//members.ozemail.com.au/andrewd/hamradio/ha
  mfaq.html
  
• Moorabbin District Radio Club
• http//www.mdrc.org.au
• WIA Victoria - http//www.wiavic.org.au/
• Wireless Institute of Australia
• http//www.wia.org.au

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Demonstration of IRLP

• Linking to Cayman and Trinidad.
• A URL to listen to streaming audio from one of
  the reflectors is
  
• http//www.irlp.net and click on the link.

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Thank You
Chuck, 6Y5DB