IRLP and WX4NHC

The National Hurricane Center conducted a communications test on Saturday, May 30. Their primary frequency was 14.325. Stations were instructed to check in and give their local weather. I imagine they had tons of check-ins.

They also were taking check-ins on IRLP Node 9219. I linked in to the NHC net using Kevin's (KD5RHF) repeater (Node 3487) on 146.535 simplex. This was about 2 pm Saturday afternoon.

The net control was DU2EX in Germany. When he called for check-ins, I answered with my call sign and he acknowledged me. I was not familiar with the process and gave my wx report too soon. DU2EX then accepted and acknowledged other check-ins.

At the end of the check-in list, he passed control to WX4NHC at the Hurricane Center. The station accepting WX reports then called me for my report. I gave my location and the temperature. He asked for my name and I responded that information. Then he thanked me and went on to the next station.

Very interesting support for the NHC when the next hurricane heads to the U.S.

I just want to thank Kevin (KD5RHF) for making this mode of communication available ... AR

IRLP to South Texas Repeater

This afternoon, I was able to chat with Don, K5OKB at his winter QTH near Harlingen, TX. After I let him know we had access to IRLP here in BA (Thanks Kevin!) then he sent me the repeater near him. I punched in the codes today and we had a nice QSO. He was a little "scratchy" coming back to me, but could be my mobile speaker(?). He said my audio was clear coming through at his end.

Don is the President of the Bartlesville ARC and he said he has been in regular contact with the other club officers via IRLP.

I am definitely impressed with the IRLP-enhanced mode of radio communication...AR

First QSO on IRLP

Just had my first IRLP contact this evening. I tried the two Bartlesville links but no one was listening or was not brave enough to answer. I'll try those again sometime soon.

I linked (IRLPed?) with the OKC machine node #3761 and gave a shout. I must admit I was a little surprised when Mike, KE5EQD answered me. He was on his way to work and said he monitored the machine frequently. This is sponsored by the Aeronautical Aviation Center ARS (W5PAA) but he thought the repeater itself was near the Baptist Hospital. Someone more familiar with OKC might know where that is.

I am having a little trouble with terminology on this new (to me) mode as to what to call things - node, link, repeater, reflector or what. I'm sure I'll learn it all as I go. Kevin can probably help clear some of this up.

While I realize you can talk world-wide on this connection, I wanted to start a little closer to home so I would have some idea of who, what, when and where I was talking.

Pretty amazing! ... AR

IRLP Link by KD5RHF

Kevin's IRLP link works great! So far, I have only tried the reflector 9991, but it worked as advertised. Once I entered the DTMF code 9991, I received the confirmation message from RHF's node #3487. The 9991 reflector repeats what it has received. I then transmitted "AE5FT Testing" and after a short pause, the reflector repeated what I had said. I tried a couple of other short messages and then entered DTMF code 73. The link confirmed it was de-linked. I realize this is an humble beginning, but I'll get up my nerve and try out one of the other reflectors on the IRLP website at http://status.irlp.net/ .

According to my search on this web site, Kevin's is the only IRLP link in the Tulsa area. Good job, Kevin!

I'll be adding to this post as my IRLP confidence grows .... AR