KA7O IRLP DTMF

What is IRLP?

IRLP web site.

Node 7707

Node 7707 is a privately operated node that uses the 449.575- repeater. It is not part of the repeater and really, appears to operate just as any other ham would. Difference being, it has the ability to connect to other nodes via the Internet and pass voice traffic. If that remote node is part of a repeater - or is operating in a similar fashion - you've effectively connected the local 575 repeater to a remote machine.

How to use

Using this link, you can view the current status of the IRLP node.

Access the IRLP node by using the 449.5750- (173.8hz) repeater. Just setup your rig as you would for any other repeater - and use your DTMF pad to send commands to control the node. Essentially, the IRLP node is just 'another ham' on the repeater.

The 449.575 machine is an "open" repeater located on the Wyoming Medical Center roof. All licensed amateurs are welcome to use the repeater as either just a repeater or to access the IRLP node. And, if the node happens to be offline or disconnected, it's a pretty good repeater on it's own!

DTMF Commands

Please, give your call sign before sending any DTMF codes.

Though not required by rule, it's helpful for others to know someone is trying to use the node.

Besides, if you try to send control codes while the repeater is sending it's status or greeting - you'll only get frustrated. You have to wait for it to finish and switch to RX mode. So, why not ID yourself, wait for the repeater to ID and then send your commands. Helps it all to work smoothly!

Connect

To connect to a node or a reflector:
Just dial the number with your DTMF pad and release your PTT. Let the carrier drop. The node will do the rest.

For example - if I wanted to connect to node number 1011, after checking to ensure no one else is using the repeater or the Casper IRLP node (listening first - maybe even ask, "Is the repeater in use?"), I'd ID with may callsign, wait for the greeting to finish and then key up and dial "1011" on my radio's DTMF pad and unkey. Wait for the connection confirmation (yup, it'll talk to you) and enjoy!

Use the same method for connecting to a reflector.NOTE: reflectors use 9xxx numbers.

It is suggested to wait about 3 seconds after you push your radio's PTT button before speaking. 
Also allow about 3 seconds between 'overs'. The system does take a bit of time to do it's thing. 
You'll just cut your self off if you get in too much of a hurry.

Disconnect

Just send "73" via your DTMF pad. Again, nothing else is needed. This will drop any and all IRLP connections, be they a reflector or another node.
And of course, don't forget to ID when finished.

Available Nodes

See This Page for a list of available nodes, by country and state.

Available Reflectors

See This Page for a list of available reflectors.
I do suggest visiting a reflector's home page before you connect - just to understand what that reflector is for and how it's expected to be used. I'd hate to see Casper's node get 'black listed' for inappropriate reflector usage!

Reflectors have 'channels'. These are indicated by the ones digit in their number. For example, 9250 is the Western Reflector. But as you can see on their web page, this reflector has 10 channels 9250 through 9259. You can manually select one of the channels just by entering it with your DTMF pad. So, if I wanted to connect to their German Speaking nodes - I'd enter 9252. Uh, don't use this example unless you speak German - well.

To learn what reflector channels are available and what they're used for - visit that reflector's web page and read up.

Connecting to an improper channel - say a linked system's linking channel - 
when you're not welcome is a VERY good way to get us black listed. Please, 
If you're at all unsure - ask first. This can't be too strongly emphasized. 
There are many places where you can learn by doing - this isn't one of them. 
Know you're welcome before connecting.

It can take - and is often worth - a bit of digging to find reflectors. Check out the The EchoCloud Network in Sydney Australia for but one example. Node 9500.

Local Shortcuts

The following DTMF 'shortcuts' have been setup to allow a bit easier operation. Although, it is just 3 digits instead of 4 - not a whole lot of difference.

If you'd like one added, just contact KA7O or post on the club discussion board

411

Report the nodes current status.
Is it up? Is it connected to something but there's no traffic? What's it doing right now?

Wyoming IRLP Nodes

From 11 Mar, 2015 - for the latest and most current, see the IRLP node status page. Scroll to the bottom of that page for the Wyoming listings.

Node ID	Call	City	Freq.	CTCSS	Notes/Comments
3044	W7BEQ	Worland	444.9250	103.5	Down for 121 days (01/2023)
3307	K7RDC	Gillette	449.7500	123.0	Down for 1431 days (01/2023)
3372	KD7KMU	Laramie	446.0250	None	Idle for 1 day (01/2023)
3464	W7TAR	Jackson	447.7000	123.0	Idle for 0 days (01/2023)
7045	N7RON	Rawlins	146.7000	162.2	Extended Down for 12 days (01/2023)
7634	KD7KMU	Laramie Mobile	445.8000	100.0	Extended Down for 1092 days (01/2023)
7707	KA7O	Casper	449.5750	173.8	Idle for 422 days (01/2023)
7853	KE7YOR	Powell	146.480	100.0	No longer exists

Experimental

Weather Reports

Do not use while the node is connected Check the node's status with DTMF: 411 first.

Weather reports. Yea, what with "Igor" right here at 162.400Mhz, not a whole lot of call for another voice telling you what the weather is like outside. Open a window, for Pete's sake - but it can be helpful for 'hearing' what's up at a distant location. All you need is the zip code of the area you're interested in (Sorry, US only). But, since I'm playing - here it is.

There are 3 weather reports available:

1. Current Conditions (C2)
2. Forecast (C3)
3. Extended Forecast (C4)

The DTMF sequences follow this syntax: C<n><zip code>

The letter "C", followed by a 2, 3 or 4 and then the zip code for the area you want to hear about. No spaces.

For Casper's current conditions, at 82601, enter "C282601". "C2" being the command for current conditions and "82601" indicating where you're interested. For the Casper extended forecast, enter C482601.

Be patient. The node first has to download a text file, parse it - extract the pertinent strings, save them to a new text file, then read that file into the voice synthesizer (not the fastest box on the playground), write the sound file, then key the radio and play the sound file. For the C3 and C4 - this wait can feel like it's broken somehow. And then, what you get out of it isn't easy to understand - yet.

Feel free to play with it - it uses a free 'test to speech' voice synthesizer (festival) and it doesn't sound very nice and can actually be a bit hard to understand. I'll be playing with some of the settings, see if I can improve things a bit. But, this part is as likely to just 'go away' as improve. Kind of hard to spend too much effort when "Igor" is right over there (just put in the zip code of the area you're interested in).

Questions or Problems

Contact Tate, KA7O via email: KA7O or post on the club discussion board. If it's an urgent problem, most W7VNJ club members have my cell phone number and I do have remote access to the node. Contact someone on any of the W7VNJ repeaters and have them call me. Thanks!