VK3 IRLP Project

This page has received hits since May 6 2001

This page outlines a project to setup one or more IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) nodes in the Melbourne area. Information will include project history, current status and other relevant information. Stay tuned, as this page will change frequently. For more information about IRLP in general, please see my IRLP in Australia page.

History - The Windows Beginning.

The idea to link VK3 repeaters into the IRLP network goes back to January 2001. Then, Peter, VK2YX, coordinated a project to link VK repeaters using the Windows based IPhone software for Australia Day (January 26). At the time, there was no one in VK3 with any plans to link a repeater, so I stepped in and volunteered to get a link happening for the day. On January 26, the VK3RSR 2 metre repeater was linked to the temporary network using IPhone for 15 hours continuous. The link was very successful and was popular with amateurs around Melbourne. In March, another Iphone link was operated, this time, a simplex link for the purpose of enabling the VI3GP special event station to work distant stations via the IPhone repeater network.

IRLP arrives in Australia.

In April 2001, two events occured which led to the push to link VK3 to the rest of the world. The first was the linking of VK2RBM in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, to the IRLP network. This gave Sydney based amateurs Australia's first taste of IRLP, and impressed those who came to experience the system. The second event was my own visit to Sydney (which was for work reasons). During my stay, I was able to use the IRLP system myself and saw the benefits and performance it offered. I resolved to link Melbourne with the IRLP network.

An Idea Takes Hold.

On my return to Melbourne, I tossed around the idea of IRLP linked repeaters among the afternoon drive time regulars on 70cm. Several amateurs liked the sound of the IRLP, and are now interested in assisting with the project. In addition, another amateur had been working independently towards an IRLP link, and is willing to join forces with anyone else interested.

In the first week of May 2001, we had the first really serious discussions about IRLP on the VK3RSE repeater. Within 2 days, the discussion had turned from an idea to a plan, and much of the hardware required for the project had already been offered, as well as financial and other assistance.

Current Status and Timeline.

2001

October 6, 2001

• Node 639 (VK3JED) is moved to the VK3RSR Scout repeater, in preparation for JOTA.

September 30, 2001

• VK3RGL node now back to 24 hour/day operation, following licence approval.

August/September 2001

• VK3 WIA Division submits link licence application on behalf of the node and obtains link frequency allocations for the node to repeater UHF link.
• IRLP Presentation on September 7 at Gippsland Gate Radio and Electronics Club.

July/August

• VK3RGL node now operating part time, due to concerns raised by the repeater licensee about the licencing of the system.
• IRLP presentations were conducted on July 6 (MDRC), July 13 (GARC), August 9 (North East Radio Group), August 23 (Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club).

June 17-23

• First week of continuous operation on VK3RGL. The repeater has now become quite busy. The node's performance continues to be flawless.
• Work commences on the UHF link equipment.

June 17

• IRLP node moved to a location with cable Internet access and reconfigured to use the ADPCM CODEC. The improvement in link performance was staggering, with crystal clear audio.
• IRLP node now running 24 hours a day.

June 16

• First live test of IRLP on the VK3RGL repeater. The timer used to prevent tail feedback on IPhone networks was modified to work with the IRLP hardware to make the tests possible. Stations worked via the first VK3RGL link include VK2BGL (Western Sydney), VK2JPJ (Sydney), AH6RH (Honolulu) and G3ZHI (UK). VK3RGL was also heard via the VK6RNC repeater, but the operator was unable to reply (got the report via ICQ).
• Performance of IRLP during the past 5 days was mixed, with link echo (GSM bug), dropouts (timeouts) and difficulty connecting with other nodes (timeouts and authentication failures) being the main issues. These issues are all due to the slow Internet connection being used, and will be resolved shortly when a cable modem connection becomes available. The actual IRLP gateway itself has performed very well under the difficult conditions.

June 13

• IRLP presentation, demonstration and workshop set for July 13 at the GARC club rooms.

June 11

• IRLP node installation completed by Dave Cameron, VE7LTD, with some help from Pete, VK2YX (a good ad for Linux and SSH - try doing that sort of remote control with a GUI! :) ).
• Node tests commence on 146.550 MHz simplex using GSM compression over a modem link. Unfortunately, audio quality is compromised due to a bug in the GSM CODEC, which causes a strange echo effect. Moving the node to a faster connection and using the ADPCM CODEC will fix this problem and improve audio quality to near telephone quality. Several amateurs take advantage of the new link.
• A presentation and workshop for IRLP users is planned at the MDRC for July 6 2001. A date is yet to be set for GARC members.

June 8

• IRLP hardware arrives from Canada
• Operating system installed on IRLP server PC, awaiting final installation.

June 4

• Moorabin and District Radio Club officially sponsors the Internet end of the IRLP link.

May 27

• Geelong Amateur Radio Club officially approved the use of one of the VK3RGL repeaters for IRLP linking. IRLP operation will commence on the 147.000 MHz VK3RGL repeater around the end of June. The link will be moved to the 70cm repeater on 439.575 MHz once that repeater has been upgraded for better performance.
• Official publicity about the project commences. APC News will be used as the main publicity outlet.

May 25

• IRLP board en route to Australia
• Worked Dave Cameron, VE7LTD - the developer of IRLP while I was in Sydney.

May 15

• IRLP board ordered and paid for from donations previously received.

May 14

• Administrative mailing list setup to facilitate communication between project team members.

May 12

• Second strategy meeting takes place at Moorabbin Hamfest. Several donations received, which will go towards IRLP hardware.

May 11

• Offer of high speed Internet connection
• Creative Vibra 16 soundcard donated by ATC Training Australasia

May 7

• Computer hardware for the IRLP link donated by Motorola.

May 6

• A page for the VK3 IRLP project was created to keep people up to date (you're reading it now!).
• Approval granted to use the VK3RGL repeater by the Geelong Amateur Radio Club.

May 4

• An informal meeting of some of the interested people occurred during the MDRC social night.
• Several GARC members express interest in linking the VK3RGL 2m repeater to IRLP. Negotiations commence.

May 3

• Much of the hardware and facilities required is offered tentatively by several Melbourne hams.

May 2

• First serious airing of the VK3 IRLP project on VK3RSE.

April 28

• A web page is created on this site to describe IRLP and promote IRLP links in VK.

April 20-25

• IRLP is experienced first hand while in Sydney. A visit to the VK2RBM IRLP node and demonstrations of the system also took place.
• VK3XEM investigates the possibility of IRLP for VK3.

March 4

• VI3GP special event station is linked to several overseas repeaters via IPhone. This was the last time I used IPhone, due to a fault developing in the link radio. In addition, IRLP was seen as a technically superior solution for long term repeater linking.

January 26

• The Australia Day national IPhone link took place. VK3RSR was linked to the network to give Melbourne its first taste of Internet repeater linking. One of the highlights of the way was a VK3 tram mobile to VK8 handheld contact. Many international nodes also took part in what was one of the largest IPhone linkups ever.

January 20-25

• The link for the Australia Day IPhone link was developed and refined.
• A new technique for preventing tail feedback on IPhone networks was developed.
• Permission to use VK3RSR for the IPhone link was granted.
• Test links were operated on simplex and VK3RSR for various periods during the week.

2000

• ACA formally approves Internet repeater linking

Thanks to:

The following people and organisations have contributed time, money or hardware to the VK3 IRLP project. This list will be regularly updated, and has been presented in no particular order.

• VK3JDA, David
• VK3SZ, Gary
• VK3XEM, Simon
• VK3FC, Leighton
• VK3YIL, Ian
• VK4BAB, Andrew
• VK3TBN, Peter
• VK2YX, Peter
• Motorola
• Geelong Amateur Radio Club
• ATC Training Australasia
• Moorabbin and District Radio Club

Can you help?

If you or your club is interested in offering assistance to get an IRLP node up and running in VK3, please drop me an email to vk3jed@optushome.com.au, or catch me on VK3RSE during drive time.

More Information.

The following links contain more information on IRLP.

VK3JED IRLP Node. - A system dedicated to IRLP development and promotion.

IRLP in Australia.

IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project). The home of IRLP

VK2RBM IRLP Node, one of Australias first!