IRLP and Echolink 5302 nodes back in operation
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.
Internet Linking
GB3OA IRLP and Echolink 5302 nodes unavailable
The dedicated server for these two nodes now has an unrecoverable fault. It may be some time before the fault is cleared.
Some users of Echolink may not realise there is a Catch-22 situation when using Echolink on both this node and all other nodes. If you try to connect and cannot it’s because there is a QSO already going on. If you can connect OK then there is no QSO on the repeater and you should call CQ with your callsign, as normal. Otherwise there is no point in connecting…..
Apologies to all of the users that use IRLP and Echolink. Users of Echolink in the North West may be able to access GB3OA directly using a base station, mobile rig, or HT. Those operators that visit Southport will find that GB3OA has excellent RF coverage in the Town Centre, along the Promenade, the extensive beach and to the end of the pier and this can continue into the ‘burbs.
GB3OA IRLP and Echolink 5302 nodes unavailable Read More »
The Simple Way to have good comms with GB3OA
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.
Spectacular IRLP QSO!
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:
Incoming Echolink now available again
Apologies to those trying to connect to GB3OA using Echolink. The router updated itself automatically but changed a couple of the settings, allowing Echolink contacts to go out from GB3OA but not come in. This has now been corrected and all is well. IRLP contacts were not affected.