Amateur Radio, Your PC and the Internet

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Amateur Radio, Your PC and the Internet
Presented by Wilbur Evans, KR4AD
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KR4AD and Amateur Radio

• Licenced since 1992 as KD4OFP
• Active in the following areas
• Internet Radio Linking (EchoLink)
• PSK31, HF Packet, Radio Teletype, MT63
• Slow Scan TV, CW
• Mobile and Portable Operation
• Member of OMIK - Amateur Radio Association

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Monitoring Amateurs from your PC

• Australian Amateur FAQ
• http//members.ozemail.com.au/andrewd/hamradio/ha
  mfaq.html
• Remote Bases and Web Radios
• W7DXX Remote Base http//www.lamonica.com (RA)
• Lots of online receivers http//www.qsl.net/oe3mzc
  /receivers.html
• IRLP - Internet Radio Linking Project
• Reflector 2 Live Audio http//www.live365.com/stat
  ions/253404
• There are many more online receivers on the
  Internet!

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The Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP)

• Uses the Internet to link distant radio sites
  together.
• 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 radio.

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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.
• 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 Reflectors

• Enable 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 ISS

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The Future

• Internet linking is already becoming commonplace
  over 250 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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More Information

• IRLP http//www.irlp.net
• Amateur Radio FAQ
• http//members.ozemail.com.au/andrewd/hamradio/ha
  mfaq.html
• Online Receivers
• http//www.qsl.net/oe3mzc/receivers.html
• Software - http//www.muenster.de/welp/sb.htm
• Moorabbin and 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

• What you are listening to is streaming audio
  which originates from IRLP Reflector 2, which is
  the busiest IRLP reflector in the world.
• The URL to listen is http//www.live365.com/statio
  ns/253404
• Or alternatively, select the Listen Live! Link
  from http//www.irlp.net.

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Thank You
Wilbur Evans, KR4AD