The Internet Radio
Linking Project
Presented by Basil Chuck Davidson, 6Y5DB
For IEEE Jamaica Section, August 20, 2003.
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Topics of Discussion
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Introduction
Jamaica Amateur Radio Association
What is Amateur Radio (ham radio)?
Traditional Amateur Activities
IT and Amateur Radio
The Internet Radio Linking Project – What it is and its impact on
Amateur Radio.
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How it works
Typical IRLP Node
Scripting
Security
Reflectors
Impact and the Future
How to become a Radio Amateur
More Information – WWW sites to follow up.
Demonstration of IRLP
Thank You
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Jamaica Amateur Radio
Association (JARA)
• Club station at Jamaica Red Cross (St
Andrew)
• Under 100 members in Jamaica, active in
the following areas:
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Internet Radio Linking (IRLP)
Satellites
Education and Publicity
Mobile and Portable Operation
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What is Amateur Radio?
• Amateur Radio stations are operated for the
purposes of self training in radiocommunications,
intercommunication using radiocommunications
and technical investigation into
radiocommunications by persons who:
– do so solely with a personal aim;
– have no pecuniary interest in the outcome of the
operation of the station; and
– are operated on [specified] amateur frequencies or
frequency bands...
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Traditional Amateur
Activities
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HF (Shortwave) communication
Morse code
Analog Voice
VHF/UHF repeaters
Satellite for ‘hams’
Radio Teletype + Packet switching
Homebrewing (construction)
“Dxing” (long distance contacts)
Moon bounce transmission
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IT and Amateur Radio
• Computer Controlled Modes
– Packet Radio
– Slow Scan TV
– Narrow Band Teletype (PSK-31, etc)
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Digital Signal Processing
Internet Radio Linking
Remote Bases and Web Radios
Internet Collaboration
Publicity
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The Internet Radio Linking
Project (IRLP)
• Uses the Internet to link distant radio sites
together using VoIP.
• Gives global coverage to normally localised
VHF and UHF frequencies.
• Enables minimally equipped stations to
communicate globally.
• Allows end user control of links via their
radio’s DTMF (Touchtone) keypad.
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How Internet Linking Works
Mobile
Station
Radio Link
IRLP Node
Internet
Distant
Repeater
Repeater
IRLP Node
The Internet is used as a link
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to connect distant repeaters together
Typical IRLP Node
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Standard PC compatible is usually used.
Pentium P100 or faster.
Linux operating system (Red Hat).
Soundcard and appropriate drivers.
Simple hardware interface to control link radio.
Radio tuned to the appropriate link frequency.
ISDN/xDSL/cable/broadband Internet connection.
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IRLP Scripting
• The IRLP software is composed largely of bash
shell scripts.
• Easily customised to suit local needs.
• Many functions and applications have been
created.
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Node status (link off/on and where linked to).
Time of day (talking clock).
Weather reports.
Parrot (simplex) repeater.
• Almost anything that can be run from the console
can be controlled via radio if needed.
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IRLP Security
• Regulations prohibit unlicenced people using
amateur bands.
• IRLP links are only accessible by amateur stations
within range of a node. No direct Internet access.
• Internet links use PGP for authentication to
minimise the risk of someone impersonating a
node.
• OpenSSH used for remote administration.
• Linux packages updated automatically (autorpm).
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IRLP Reflectors
• Server that enables multiple nodes to be linked
together into a network – number limited only by
bandwidth.
• Running a reflector requires very fast Internet
access (32 kbps per connected node) to handle the
multiple data streams. Most reflectors are hosted
at Internet Service Providers who often donate the
bandwidth.
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Impact of IRLP on Amateur
Radio and the Public
• Level of amateur activity has increased
dramatically.
• Amateurs who have been inactive for a long
time are coming back on the air.
• Amateur Radio is becoming more appealing
to today’s Internet oriented youth.
• New opportunities for experimentation.
– Global network to communicate with the ISS
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The Future
• Internet linking is already becoming commonplace
– over 1,000 IRLP nodes on air.
• Improvements in technology will improve
performance of links.
• IPV6 and multicast offer more flexible linking
with less bandwidth.
• Technology can be ported to high speed amateur
microwave and satellite links.
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How to Become a Radio
Amateur
• Radio amateurs are licenced by the SMA (Belmont Road),
once they pass required examinations in Amateur
regulations, radio theory and, Morse Code.
• Examinations are conducted when arranged by the JARA.
• JARA runs study courses for amateur theory, regulations,
and morse code.
• More information
– Amateur information from the ACA
• http://www.aca.gov.au/publications/info/amateur_suite.htm
– Ron Bertrand’s online study course
• http://www.radioelectronicschool.com/
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More Information
• IRLP – http://www.irlp.net
• The Shack of VK3JED
– http://vk3jed.vk.irlp.net
• Amateur Radio FAQ
– http://members.ozemail.com.au/~andrewd/hamradio/hamfaq.html
• Moorabbin & District Radio Club
– http://www.mdrc.org.au
• WIA Victoria - http://www.wiavic.org.au/
• Wireless Institute of Australia
– http://www.wia.org.au
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Demonstration of IRLP
• Linking to Cayman and Trinidad.
• A URL to listen to streaming audio from
one of the reflectors is
http://www.irlp.net and click on the link.
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Thank You
Chuck, 6Y5DB
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