Both the IRLP and Echolink nodes have now returned to service after the fault on the hard drive of the server was rectified.
Again apologies to all those who use the nodes for the downtime of them.
IRLP and Echolink 5302 nodes back in operation Read More »
GB3OA IRLP and Echolink 5302 nodes unavailable Read More »
It’s been noticed in the logs and heard on air that users have been having problems with DTMF tones and OA recognising them.
Most repeaters in the UK are now narrow FM using 12.5kHz filters in the receiver and OA is no exception. So, if your rig is set to wide FM your DTMF tones will be clipped and distorted by the OA receiver. Some may get through and be recognised but others won’t, and you’ll be left wondering why OA is not responding.
All recent rigs have a menu option for wide or narrow FM and obviously for good comms this should be set to narrow.
The same goes for voice communication. Your audio could well be badly clipped and at the distant end of the IRLP contact the op may have problems. This usually shows up when the op keeps wanting you to repeat your callsign. Shouting down the mic only makes the situation worse. Either backing off from the mic or making sure your rig is set to narrow FM is the answer.
The Simple Way to have good comms with GB3OA Read More »
As you know, GB3OA through IRLP and Echolink and DTMF tones can communicate with other repeaters throughout the world. There are some truly interesting locales, like Wagga Wagga (6260) in Australia, or Palmer Station (8838) in the Antarctic, but it seems that Steve M0SPI (Mawdesley) has at least equalled this by contacting new repeater 9N1SP (5511) in Kathmandu, Nepal at the foot of Everest!
The repeater is on 2m and only a month old, mounted on a building of the Pulchowk Engineering Campus at Tribhuvan University. It’s been set up in answer to the recent earthquake disaster there to help with comms in any further disasters, just the same as GB3OA is mounted on a protected and secured building and available to Southport & District RAYNET during emergencies.
Steve’s first contact was with Bejay 9N1KB, one of the students at the University, and added to by Ajay 9N1AJ, also a student. Then, Steve paused for any callers on OA and David G4TUP joined the net. The audio quality and signal strengths of their rigs came through perfectly and over the 50 minutes a number of topics were covered – birthday celebrations, web sites, Southport itself and of course the weather.
Users of 9N1SP are now looking for contacts and welcome a continued connection with GB3OA. So feel free to dial in 5511, remembering the time difference – they’re 5 hours ahead.
Further details can be found at:
And further details of the use of GB3OA by Southport & District RAYNET Group here:
Spectacular IRLP QSO! Read More »
Apologies to the users of The Stream today. You will have noticed it down and up several times over the course of 12.30 til 13.30hrs.
There is a slight problem with the MP3 opening announcement file and a file called the fallback file. This is an MP3 file that gets played when the server loses the stream. It’s 12 minutes long before it repeats and basically has announcements saying The Stream is down, and includes background music.
A ticket has been lodged with the server company and the problems should be rectified shortly. However, there will be a further period of The Stream being down and up when the files are tested.
Otherwise listeners can listen to The Stream as normal.
The Stream problems Read More »