IRLP page

IRLP stands for the Internet Radio Linking Project. The aim of this project is to link radio systems separated by long distance without the use of expensive leased lines, satellites, or controllers.

The IRLP uses Voice-Over-IP software and the power of the Internet to link your radio site to the world. The system uses its own custom interface board and software suite which makes interfacing your 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 heart of the IRLP is its Amateur Radio network which reaches hundreds of towns and cities across the world, linking them all with a full dynamic range, telephone quality sound.

5. Press the PTT and hold for 3 seconds before txing and announce your presence.

Please remember to always announce your call sign before sending any DTMF codes.

Node 6260 Wagga Wagga vk2rwg 2mt DTMF Codes

#0 - Node Status
#2 - Local Time
#3 - UTC
#*10# - Last Connected Node
#000 - Weather Menu
#001 - xxx Weather
#002 - xxx Weather
#003 - xxx Weather
#004 - xxx Weather
73 - Disconnect Link
789 - Local Time
#*** - Connect to RANDOM node (global)
#6** - Connect to RANDOM VK or ZL node

Here is a list of Special DTMF codes used on the Wagga node. Send these codes (in the same transmission) to hear or use the following:

123      Plays the current time
#123      Activates a Parrot repeater   (only when node is enabled)
#001      Current Albury Weather
#002      Current Griffith Weather
#003      Current Gundagai Weather
#004      Current Tumbarumba Weather
#600      Current Penrith Weather
#610      Current Perth Weather
#626      Current Wagga Weather
#648      Current Cairns Weather
#650      Current Adelaide Weather
#680      Current Darwin Weather

Have a play!

These codes are subject to change at any time without notice :-)

The Current List

of IRLP Nodes & there Status

Click here http://status.irlp.net

Internet Radio Linking Project is very easy and intuitive to use, the system gives messages about each action. When you link, when you unlink, when the node you are calling is busy, in use, or offline etc.

Please make sure you listen carefully to the voice prompts so you know what is happening.

To use the system you need a radio with DTMF capabilities and secondly you need good access into your local IRLP Node.

Once you have met these requirements you are nearly set to go. Your next step is to listen on one of the repeaters that carries IRLP traffic and get into the swing of how the system works.

ALWAYS before speaking or transmitting please LISTEN to ensure the system is not in use, if you would like to check if a link is in progress after not hearing traffic, use DTMF "0". This will announce link active or inactive.

If no-one is using the system or their is no active link you can use the system., Announce your call sign followed by the node name or number you wish to call then DTMF node code, this will bring a link up. The 73 is used to cancel the link. After canceling a link please announce your call sign on the local repeater.

As an example say you wanted to connect to VK2RWG in Wagga, you would announce your call sign eg. VKxxxx for the Wagga Node then type 6260 providing there were no errors you would hear the announcement when the connection is established. To bring the link down announce your call sign eg. VKxxxx i intent to drop the link and then type 73.

Some common codes, check with your node owner for a list of your local node codes.
DTMF 0 or #0 - to check IRLP link status
DTMF #2 - to check the time (local time)
DTMF #3 - to check the time (UTC)

1. Always listen on the repeater first to make sure a QSO is not in progress or the
system is not linked to another IRLP Node or Reflector.

2. Identify before sending DTMF codes and trying to use the IRLP Node.

3. Leave breaks of around 2-3 seconds when in QSO to another repeater,
and leave breaks of around 5 seconds when using a reflector,
so other stations have time to join in if necessary.

4. Do not link to another node and then unlink without saying anything,
this really annoys people on the other end, please put out a call.

5. When using reflectors leave plenty of breaks, please be aware that many repeaters
may be tied into a reflector. Reflector 2 is mainly used like a call channel and for
quick fire QSOs, listen for a while to get the flow of the system.
Generally the other reflectors are fairly quiet and can be used for skeds etc.. So if you feel like
having a big roundtable discussion swap to a reflector other than ref2.

7. Do not mention IRLP codes when talking to other amateurs via the IRLP system. Some Nodes are open nodes, but many nodes are closed and need special pre access codes to be able to use the system. If someone asks you for information regarding their local IRLP system, please tell them to find the local repeater owner, operator or club to get further information.

And lastly the IRLP system is an International network, if you have a hard time understanding some of the accents on the system, imagine the problems for operators at the other end !!

Please Note; The above guidelines may differ from those provided by your local Node operator.

These notes are only a guideline, and at NO time should take precedence over the wishes of your local Node sponsor.

Peter vk2yx pete@jbo.com.au part of the International IRLP installation team.

How to install an IRLP Node by Chris vk3kqu

At the moment I am the node owner of vk3rne, number 6380. If you have access to an IRLP node then please give me a call. The node is only on some of the time at the moment, but this is something I hope to change.

When I began setting up my node, I thought that it was going to be extremely difficult but now that I am at the end of it all I think that it was very simple because there wasn’t really much involved and I can only say to you that if you are going to set up a node and are finding it difficult then just keep with it because it isn’t really that hard once you know how. I hope that this page will help you.

How to use the node

The only thing that you need to know is what the node number is on the station you would like to call, for example if you wanted to access my node then you need to dial 6380 and then you should get the link on message. Also there are many other features, one includes the 73 tones. If you dial this is should disconnected any node. For all of the other nodes you may need to ask the SySop for the tones (SySop stands for system operator)

A basic rundown

Well to begin with, IRLP runs on a operating system called Linux. You might right now be going "Ohhhhhhh" But after you get the hang of things you will realize why. First thing that you will need to do is to install this system. At first you will have a lot of problems with this and most likely have many goes at it. The only advise that I can give you is to try your hardest because you will get it in no time at all and then you will see just how simple it is. Also if you have really hit a stump then I could only suggest that you search the internet for someone who will know. You can e-mail me if you wish but keep in mind that I am relatively new to all of this.

Now that I have installed Linux what do I do?

Now you have got Linux installed that is that hardest part over with because the rest has some type of guide to help you along with it. So the first thing to do is to install the internet. I would also suggest that you use Linux Red Hat and the later the version the better. Now there will be a little difference between versions but I will try to help everyone. If it is an earlier version then you need to go to the network configuration, sometimes in the control panel. There, there will be a interface tab. There click on add and you will be looking for the PPP interface. This is an abbreviation for Point-to-Point Protocol. If you cant find this then don't worry because it most likely means that you have a later version so if so then have a look on the desktop because from about 7 onwards there is a setup icon there. Go to this and follow the guide. Now you can try to connect. There is a X tool called Usenet and this will have a list of interfaces. Yours should be there. Click on it and it should connect.

But it doesn't work

I GET DISCONNECTED APROX 30 SECONDS AFTER CONNECT

This is most likely that the Authentisication isn't working. Try checking your username and password.

I CANT BROWSE THE INTERNET, BUT IT DOES STAY CONNECTED

This could be a few problems. First you need to enter the DNS IP addresses into the Linux configuration that also may be in control panel. If this doesn't work then try typing it in ifconfig into the terminal programmed, and the PPP0 should come up. If this does then have a look at the IP address. It should be 203... something. If you get a 10... address then you need to delete the PPP setup and reinstall it. Now anything beyond this and I cant help you.

What now?

Now that you have done this you only need to setup a sound card and I would suggest that you use a Creative Sound blaster of some kind to make things easy for yourself, and the audio quality is extremely good. Now this part should be relatively simple. Open a terminal session and enter in sndconfig and this will probe for a sound card. You may need to know the DMA, IRQ and IO, if you don't then you will need to find out somehow. You just need to make sure that you can hear all of the audio samples played. I would suggest that you make sure that there is only one card in your computer and this probe should do all of the work for you.

Now you are ready

Now this is the easy part (and I have assumed that you have bought the IRLP board from David Cameron All that you need to do is to contact a install person who will ask you for your:

IP address
Root password
Sound cards type
User name of your account

My IRLP node

The above picture is my home node that runs on the VK3RNE repeater located at Albury and Wodonga. The node number is 638, but unfortunately it is only operational some of the time however there are plans at the moment to have this setup become more permanent.

You can e-mail the installs@irlp.net for your local install person. It will take approx. one hour. After you get this, all that you need to do is to wire up the IRLP board and a radio. Then IRLP away.