Welcome to the Question and Answers page.
Located Central England in South Leicestershire IO92JN (75m/247ft asl)
General Questions
Conference Questions
Q) What is MB7IFR
A) It is an amateur radio "link" station which is connected to a network of similar stations using the Internet. Licensed radio amateurs operating on these "link" frequencies can talk to each other despite being miles apart and operating on frequencies traditionally associated with shorter range communications (vhf/uhf).
Q) Do I need to be a licensed radio amateur to use the system?
A) Yes.
Q) Do I need to hook a computer up to my radio and install some special software?
A) No? RF access is simply a matter of operating on the link frequency with a CTCSS (PL) tone of 77 hertz.
Q) What equipment does the link use?
A) See hardware page here
Q) Can you disable CTCSS?
A) Unfortunately not. It is a mandatory requirement of the license.
Q) Do I need a 1750hz tone to access the link
A) No.
Q) Do I have to use DTMF tones to use the link?
A) YES (unless it already happens to be connected to something?).
Q) Why do I need to leave a 3 to 4 second break between overs?
A) Because the Internet is being used to transport your signals as data between RF access points? This creates a short delay as analog voice is converted into data and vice versa at the other end. It is a very important to allow linked stations extra time to make sure their hardware has been fully reset correctly? Failing to leave a short break of at least 3 or 4 seconds, usually results in remote stations not dropping carrier and remaining in a state of transmit at their end. This effectively jams the system and prevents remote users from using it? At least until time out limits are reached, then links start to disconnect like wild fire. In a nutshell, being too quick on the PTT causes absolute mayhem?
Q) Is there a "time out" limit?
A) Yes. Maximum time per over is 4 minutes. However, please be aware some remote links may have a shorter time limit set?
Q) How do I access the link via the Internet or from another RF link?
A) Connect to node number 362374.
Q) Do you transmit any news broadcasts?
A) No.
Q) How can I contribute to the link?
A) The best contribution anyone can make is to simply use the link? That makes it all worthwhile :-)
(Financial contributions are NOT accepted)
Q) What is a conference server?
A) A conference server links many stations (nodes) together. These can be individual computer users, link stations, conventional repeaters and other conference servers. A more in depth explanation of the various different node types on Echolink can be found here.
Q) So there are several people on a conference at one time?
A) Yes. But it's usually an awful lot more than "several". When you speak you are being heard in many different locations at the same time. Technically it's a bit like accessing many many repeaters all at the same time?
Q) What's the difference between a conference server and a reflector?
A) In a nutshell they are pretty much the same. However "conference" is a term used by the Echolink System, whereas "Reflector" is a term used on the IRLP system.
Q) Are both Echolink and IRLP systems linked?
A) No and yes. Whilst both are separate VOIP systems, there are some points where the two meet? This is because some nodes run both systems and allow a link (bridge) to be formed between the two networks? Thus you may hear IRLP users on the Echolink system and vice versa.
Q) I keep hearing people say we need to leave a break of 4 seconds, why?
A) This is perhaps the most important golden rule to remember and enforced when operating? It has however already been answered above (here).
CTCSS
77 Hertz
145.2375
Mhz
