From MMAE

This is a checklist and idea resource for setting up echolink on the ARCatUCF 146.64 repeater.

Contents 1 Work left 2 Set up methods 2.1 Direct method 2.1.1 Set up tasks 2.1.2 Advantages 2.1.3 Disadvantages 2.2 Link method 2.2.1 Set up tasks 2.2.2 Advantages 2.2.3 Disadvantages 3 Tasks common to both methods 3.1 Decisions to make 3.2 Legal issues 3.2.1 rules 3.2.2 options 3.2.3 legal control channels 3.3 External links

[edit] Work left

See also Repeater modifications

1. program repeater to add macros to bring link up and down
2. program echolink to activate repeater, and add remote controls
3. finish wiring and test...
4. set up wired control operator remote controls for legal satisfaction
5. (optional) set up controls to call internet users from RF
6. (optional) set up weather alert features via internet and other voice stuff

[edit] Set up methods

[edit] Direct method

Wire a server node directly into the repeater.

[edit] Set up tasks

1. Aquire a computer to use for the server.
2. Study repeater schematics and set up correct wiring. Resolve issues with audio level, PTT control.
   • http://www.catauto.com/notes/note14.html
3. Install echolink on computer.
4. Open hole in firewall for echolink on that server.
5. Set up control macros and schedules on repeater.
6. Set up control macros, schedules, permissions, etc., in echolink software.

[edit] Advantages

1. Sound quality may be greatly improved over link method.
2. Repeater will be MUCH more controllable, especially with respect to
   1. courtesy tones,
   2. voice messages
   3. squelch tail
   4. noise and other repeater signals inappropriate for echolink
   5. dual source mixing instead of double between echolink/RF
3. This is the expected method for IRLP use if we decide to do that.

[edit] Disadvantages

1. If repeater moves to an inaccessable location
   1. servicing the computer will be difficult
   2. computer must have network connection in remote location (but we need a remote access method to the repeater anyway)
2. More hardware will have to be added to the repeater rack and wiring changed on the repeater.

[edit] Link method

Connect echolink to the repeater via a remote link radio and computer. Remote link computer/radio act almost the same as any other normal repeater user.

[edit] Set up tasks

1. Aquire computer AND link radio
2. Set up link computer on echolink
3. Resolve repeater / link radio issues including squelch level, tone squelch, PTT control.
4. Set up repeater control macros for "echolink mode" to
   1. turn off extra voice ID messages
   2. shorten or eliminate squelch tail hang
   3. reduce or eliminate courtesy tones
5. Program echolink software macros to activate repeater/normal mode on connect/disconnect
6. Program repeater macros to correctly pass DTMF to echolink and other control signals
7. Set up schedules on repeater and echolink software

[edit] Advantages

1. No physicial modification of the repeater is needed.
2. Computer portion of link remains accessable even if the repeater is moved.
3. This method is already half done.

[edit] Disadvantages

1. Link method precludes full IRLP use. (Conferences ban remote linked repeaters due to extra non-voice noise introduced by the repeater.)
2. Repeater noise is more difficult to control, and some repeater safety measures (such as squelch tail) will have to be disabled.
3. Doubles between echolink and RF produce unusable results.
4. Noise and users who key up too fast may completely prevent an echolink operator from participating in a conversation.
5. Set up might be trickier.
6. An extra link radio must be bought (or borrowed) that would not be needed with the direct method.

[edit] Tasks common to both methods

1. Obtain echolink -R or -L designation on any call sign.
2. Fine tune repeater behavior to optimize echolink response and reduce repeater noise.
3. Set up macros and schedules

[edit] Decisions to make

1. Should RF access to echolink be open and codes advertised?
2. Should the echolink station use the club callsign or a member's callsign on the echolink side?
3. Should the echolink access to RF be open or restricted to specific users?
   1. by country?
   2. by user type? (PC vs. repeater)
   3. to specific known (remote) users?
4. Can echolink be on always or only on a schedule when members will be listening? (Or perhaps more restrictive rather than completely disabled.)
   • If echolink control channel qualifies as primary control, always open is OK, if desired.
   • If echolink control channel is not the primary control, a member on a primary control channel must be present.

[edit] Legal issues

[edit] rules

• Voice over IP mechanisms do not qualfiy under FCC rules for automatic control, as does a repeater.
• Since the VoIP is not a repeater, it falls under the rules for a remote controlled station.
• A remote controlled station must have its primary control as either a hard wired line, or a frequency above 220 mhz.

[edit] options

Under these conditions, the following are legal options:

1. Echolink via 2m on repeater input
   1. If the echolink station links to the repeater via 2m frequencies, incoming calls do not qualify as remote control. Therefore, a control operator must be present (monitoring) at all times that echolink is active, and able to control the repeater via alternate means.
   2. Likewise, outgoing calls do not qualify as remote control, so a control operator must be present to monitor on a primary control channel.
2. Echolink via 70cm repeater input
   1. If the echolink station links to the repeater via 70cm, incoming and outgoing calls qualify as remote control.
3. Echolink hardwired directly to the repeater
   1. Incoming calls qualify as remote control.
   2. Outgoing calls via 2m do not qualify as remote control, so the repeater must be monitored by a control operator with access to a control channel, or outgoing echolink must be disabled.

[edit] legal control channels

• Under normal automatic repeater operations (i.e., not remote control), primary control may be via physical access, if physical access can be obtained within a reasonable time period.
• A link radio above 220mhz can provide primary control.
• A direct wired link (via standard phoneline, or secure internet link) can be primary control.

[edit] External links

• Interfacing a CAT controller to IRLP®