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See the Repeater Status page for IRLP system status information.
RATS has implemented Internet Radio Linking Project on the W4RAT VHF repeater. Now, you can talk to repeaters all over the world any time you can access the 146.88 repeater. Open to all properly licensed amateur radio operators, you can now expand your ham radio horizons with this service. RATS encourages all hams that can access the repeaters to give this mode a try.
IRLP is a method of using Voice Over IP to connect repeaters seamlessly throughout the world. You can connect point-to-point, or use reflectors to connect multiple repeaters together for nets or other uses.
Using IRLP is easy. You need a radio with a DTMF (TouchTone®) pad, and a node number to connect to. Node numbers can be found by going to the IRLP Project page on the web at http://irlp.net, then clicking on the “NODE INFO” link in the left menu, then on the “Connected Nodes and Reflector status” or the “List of nodes and Frequencies” links in the center of that page. Once you’ve found a node to connect to, the procedure is as follows.
To place an outgoing call over IRLP
While you are connected
When you are finished
The IRLP system is set to time out after a period of inactivity at either end. If you have a special need for a lengthy, uninterrupted connection to a distant IRLP system, you will need to coordinate this with both the RATS Technical Committee and the owner of the distant system. We are happy to make the necessary configuration change on our end with the approval of the distant system owner. (Similarly, they may need to adjust their end.)
Remember that when connected to remote nodes, be mindful of local commute times and other peak repeater usage periods that may differ from our local time zone. Experience has shown that hams in other parts of the world aren’t too interested in local politics, so it's best to stick to more neutral topics.
The Technical Committee can answer any questions you may have about IRLP usage. Please e-mail the RATS Technical Committee, we’ll try our best to help!
Our thanks to Ron McMurdy WA0OJS and Ralph Stoffel N3KZS, for their invaluable assistance in getting this new service for hams on the air. The installation was completed on September 15, 2006, and the RATS IRLP team trained with Ron and Ralph on Saturday, Sept. 16th.