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Internet Linking User Instructions

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY AS EVERYTHING HAS CHENGED RECENTLY!

Here are some links to information about node numbers to try:

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the number of Echolink users connecting and then disconnecting within seconds, Echolink has been disabled currently. G4RKY can re-instate this functionality upon request.

DTMF CHECK

Firstly, you need to make sure your DTMF is working and the repeater can help you out here.

Enter any DTMF sequence prefixed by HASH HASH (or # #) and the controller will read-back what you entered - or what it decoded anyway!
NOTE - Maximum 4 digits at a time in the readback mode.

INTERNET LINKING

The system now in use at Frys Hill is now based on Asterisk platform. For more information, Google for app_rpt or allstarlink and you'll find heaps of information!

This system has the ability to connect Allstar Link nodes, IRLP nodes and Echolink nodes at the same time.

Why have we changed from the old system? Well, as the Dundry repeaters are planned to be linked in together with the Frys Hill repeaters, this Asterisk based system will be the basis for the linking of the four repeaters.

The information below was sent out to the email list at Yahoo within minutes of the new node being commissioned. If you're not subscribed to the email group, you should seriously consider doing so now!

Go to the home page to sign up for the email group, then you will be the first to know about any changes and upgrades.

BEWARE!

Using this system it IS possible to cross connect between all three networks, Asterisk, IRLP and Echolink.

You risk getting your node blocked from certain nodes and reflectors if you cross connect between networks without approval from the node or reflector owner!

Some (most) wont mind but if it gets out of hand with stations not leaving gaps between overs YOU'RE HEADING FOR TROUBLE!

Dave Cameron of IRLP is writing a detailed policy on cross-network connects.

Asterisk – Echolink – IRLP

Node no 2250 Node 228585 Node 5361

User Instructions by G4RKY, Jan 2009.

All user commands start with a DTMF star

Star - Asterisk – get it?

Before Dialling a connection:

Before initiating a new connection on the link, first listen for a few minutes to ensure that it is not already in use.

ALSO IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO LEAVE GAPS BETWEEN OVERS SO OTHERS CAN CALL IN OR COMMAND THE NODE WITH DTMF!

First things first, check and see if the node is already connected to something.

Use DTMF code star 7 to check the status of the connection. If Allison says “ Repeat Only” then the link is clear and ready for use.

DTMF Commands:

There are differences in the command structure for Asterisk based nodes from other types of Internet Linking and there are good reasons for this. This amazing software can actually have Echolink, IRLP and Allstar connections at the same time. For this reason, you need to specify whether you are connecting or disconnecting and which node you're connecting or disconnecting from.

So, to Disconnect from a node, the command is:

Star 1 nnnn where nnnn is the node number including any necessary prefix

To Connect to a node:

Star 3 nnnn again where nnnn is the node number.

Connecting to Asterisk Nodes:

To initiate a connection to an Asterisk or AllStar node, just use

star 3 nnnn where nnnn is the 4 digit allstar node number.

For example, to connect to the Los Angeles Hub using Allstar, dial star 3 2000

To disconnect this link dial star 1 2000

Connecting to IRLP nodes:

To initiate a connection to an IRLP node, it is necessary to differentiate between IRLP 4 digit node numbers and Allstar 4 digit node numbers. This is achieved by prefixing ANY IRLP node number with a number 4.

For example, to connect to the UK Reflector using IRLP, dial star 3 4 9755.

To disconnect this link, dial star 1 4 9755

Connecting Echolink nodes: (note this facility may not always be available)

To initiate a connection to an Echolink node, again it is necessary to differentiate between Echolink and other systems by prefixing with a 3. Also, as Echolink node numbers can be up to 6 digits long, any shorter than this need to be padded out with zeroes.

For example,

to connect to MB7IBA on Echolink, dial star 3 3 001332 or as another example,

to connect to GB3FH on Echolink, dial star 3 3 228585

To disconnect the MB7IBA link, dial star 1 3 001332

Generic Commands:

*7 – system status

*10 – disconnect last connected node

*87 - show all nodes connected directly or indirectly. ( Long range sensors )