GB3OA

A change to the use of Echolink

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There’s been a small change to a custom decode Echolink script at GB3OA repeater that should help local Echolink users.

The original IRLP/Echolink server required outgoing echolink request connections to be prefaced by the hash (#) symbol. With the new server software this changed to the star (*). This confused users but its change was detailed on both the GB3OA news page and the internet-linking page.

Looking at the logs many outbound echolink requests are still trying to use the hash symbol before eventually finding that the star symbol works instead. So to stop this confusion an addition to the DTMF custom decode script has now been added allowing either the hash or star symbol to work.

For example, to now connect GB3OA to GB3CA (Carlisle) both #412685 and *412685 will work.

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Connecting Echolink to IRLP on GB3OA not possible

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This was not mentioned on the Internet Linking page on the GB3OA website and so one user was trying to do this. The following has now been added to the Internet Linking page….

Can I come into GB3OA using Echolink and send DTMF tones over Echolink to make GB3OA connect to an IRLP node or reflector?

The full answer is No.

Firstly, the nodes server filters out any DTMF tones on Echolink. Secondly it’s not possible to link Echolink to IRLP. The Echolink and IRLP bods have agreed this as the two are quite different, and it could lead to technical problems at the reflector or node. Thirdly, it’s possible to have several Echolink connections at OA at once, but only one IRLP connection, and if IRLP is being used then no Echolink connections are possible. This is the situation with all IRLP and Echolink repeaters.

Note also that on this page the link URL on the first link at the bottom of the page is now correct. This allows a user to see all IRLP nodes.

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Tweeting now online again

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Since the change to a new nodes server at GB3OA the tweet messages of when there is a connection to the nodes has been offline. Now, through the efforts of Repeater Keeper Mark G4EID, this facility is all fully working again.

The tweets can either be seen on the right hand side of any page on https://gb3oa.org.uk , or by subscribing to GB3OA on Twitter. By subscribing on Twitter you get instant notification that a user has connected to one of the nodes, the distant IRLP or Echolink node or reflector in use, and the callsign of the user.

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GB3OA and Southport Air Show details

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We’ve put the following onto the Southgate ARC news website which feeds many clubs, as well as the ARRL news site:

This week there will be many thousands of scanner enthusiasts descending on Southport, UK for the Southport Air Show, and no doubt many of these will be hams. 2m repeater GB3OA, located next to Southport railway station, covers the beach fully at excellent strength, and has IRLP and Echolink nodes 5302. The full details for your HT memory are 145.6125, PL tone 82.5Hz and -600kHz shift. Up to 150,000 spectators will attend over the three days of Friday 15th, Sat. 16th and Sunday 17th, so a QSO is virtually guaranteed. Timeout is five minutes for RF-RF QSOs or four minutes for IRLP and Echolink, but please try to keep overs short.

The show starts at 17.35UTC on the Friday and 12.00UTC on the Saturday and Sunday. On the Friday aircraft will land on the beach and they can then be inspected up close. The Saturday and Sunday will have, amongst other attractions, bombing of the beach, twister aerobatics, kids tanks to drive, a paintball range and of course fly pasts of many classic and modern aircraft and helicopters. Full details can be found at:
http://www.military-airshows.co.uk/ven16.htm
https://www.visitsouthport.com/airshow

For those who can’t attend, the GB3OA stream on Shoutcast which normally relays the output of GB3OA repeater, will be turned over to relaying the main talkback frequency of the pilots. To hear this go to http://shoutcast.com and search for GB3OA.

The repeater keepers and Southport hams look forward to having a QSO with operators at this event and also via IRLP and Echolink through GB3OA.

The repeater keepers ask that Southport locals keep an ear on GB3OA during this period and respond to calls or CQs through GB3OA to make visitors welcome.

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