The N8JPR Repeater - Grand Rapids, MI
223.920 Mhz - 94.8 Hz CTCSS
Current IRLP / EchoIRLP Status
The N8JPR Repeater System is connected to the internet with a high speed wireless connection. The computer used is a 1U Rack Mounted Pentium III 800Mhz with 256MB RAM. The Computer does alot of duties, the biggest one is the Internet Repeater Linking Project Node #4167.
IRLP provides a means to link radio repeaters together anywhere there is high speed internet connection (128 kbs or more) available. The IRLP uses Voice-Over-IP software and the power of the Internet to link repeaters world wide. The system uses a custom interface board complete with DTMF decoder and Fedora Core 5 OS based package of perl and bash scripts which control a heavily modified version of speakfreely. IRLP makes interfacing a radio system to the world simple and cost effective.
The IRLP runs a large network of dedicated servers and nodes to offer the very best in voice communications. The IRLP Amateur Radio network consists of hundreds of nodes (repeater plus an IRLP computer) across the world, linking them all with a full dynamic range 32 bit audio. Node connections are made with DTMF on a HT or other radio. The IRLP system is the product of lots of hard work by David Cameron VE7LTD.
How IRLP and EchoLink differ
IRLP and EchoLink differ in a few ways. EchoLink uses a system where computers can connect to other computers and also connect to a computer plus a radio. The EchoLink community is a relaxed mode of VOIP intertie and uses an 8K GSM codec. IRLP normally uses a higher quality audio codec but can adapt to the lower GSM 8K if the other node needs a lower bandwidth. Also only Radio to Radio connections are possible. The IRLP Community also requires that all courtesy tones, PL tones, ID's, squelch tails and hang times be stripped from the output, leaving IRLP a much more pleasant mode to operate.
IRLP Connection Types
1) Node-to-Node
Connections
Direct connect Node-to-Node is just like it sounds where node "A" connects
direct with node "B". In this mode the two nodes (repeaters) are interconnected and no other
IRLP connections are possible. While "A" and "B" are connected, anyone attempting to connect
with either node "A" or "B" will be told that another call is waiting.
Click here for a list of locations with IRLP linked repeaters
their real-time node status.
2) Node-to-Reflector Connections
The IRLP system has a few specialized Servers called "Reflectors".
Reflectors have 10 individual channels that allow for lots of individual nodes to
connect together. They typically sit on a Internet Connection with multiple T-1 (1.4MB or so TWO WAY )
of bandwidth. When a node is connected to a reflector channel it hears all the other
nodes on that channel. Reflector channels are sometimes set aside for certain functions such as
nets, special events, or even another language.
Click here for a compliled real time list of reflectors and their connected stations.
The IRLP Node at N8JPR is open for use by anyone. Customarily, announce your intent BEFORE you start entering touchtones. The commands are simple, the usual command to connect to a Node or Reflector is to touch in the 4 digit number of the node or reflector you are intending to connect to. The "hang up" command is the IRLP standard "73". ON N8JPR, WE MUST FIRST ENTER A POUND BEFORE THE COMMAND TO EXECUTE IT! The next paragraph contains a few examples.N8JPR Node Operation
To connect to Node 4168 the K8SN Repeater in Grand Rapids, enter #4168 on your touchtone pad. To disconnect, you would touch in #73. To connect to the Western Reflector in Las Vegas, Nevada you would touch in #9250. To disconnect, you would enter #73. REMEMBER! the first rule when using IRLP is to "PAUSE PAUSE PAUSE" before talking. Audio streaming back at N8JPR is delayed slightly when you first connect. Its an IRLP thing - Just happens. The normal turn around delay is not much more than what you might experience using a Digital Cell Phone. Really pretty amazing if you think about it!
Keep checking in on this Page for updates and other news regarding the IRLP Node at N8JPR.