Polk County A.R.E.S

[ Home ] [ Meetings ] [ Nets ] [ Membership ] [ Training ] [ Repeater ] [ Staff ] [ Ham Info ] [ Weather ]

The new Polk County A.R.E.S Emergency Frequency document is here.

Looking for VoIP stations in Polk County?
Operating Instructions for the WC4PEM nodes is here.
Some instructions on various EchoLink stations can be viewed down below.
EchoLink stations around the world click here
IRLP stations can be found at <http://status.irlp.net>

Station Information Frequency Information IRLP Node Number EchoLink Node Number
WC4PEM VHF (A.R.E.S.) 146.985 pl 127.3 IRLP 4128 EchoIRLP 149429
WC4PEM UHF (A.R.E.S.) 444.950 pl 127.3 IRLP 4156 EchoIRLP 3363
WC4PEM 444.625 pl 127.3   Linked and on the AIR
KJ4IDH-R  (K4LKW Repeater) 147.330 PL 127.3 no Echolink 429535

You have a node in Polk?? Have it added here! Email it to:  info at polkemcomm dot org

What is EchoLink?
EchoLink software allows licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the Internet, using voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology.  The program allows worldwide connections to be made between stations, or from computer to station, greatly enhancing Amateur Radio's communications capabilities.  There are more than 150,000 registered users in 152 nations worldwide! Find out more by visiting
EchoLink's Home Page or take an "Echo Link Tour" to learn more.

How is it used?
EchoLink can be used several ways. What we have done is set up a simple repeater link. This allows people to access the EchoLink system from any radio that can reach the repeater. And it allows people to access the repeater from any EchoLink computer located anywhere around the world.
During emergencies, we will use this method to "conference" to other EOC's and agencies around the state and country as needed thus expanding the "range" and "effectiveness" of the repeater network.

Status of ALL On Line Links
Current Logins
More info on VoIP see QST for February, 2003, page 44, or download the PDF file from ARRL

EchoIRLP Operating Instructions
Currently under WC4PEM Node Number 149429 on EchoLink
Please remember that using the DTMF tones can be heard through the repeater and it can be annoying 
to others so keep them to a minimum also give your call sign and a brief explanation of what you are doing.

REMEMBER- Always ID even if you are only checking the time or announcements. 

There can be up to a 4 second delay when working through the internet links so don't forget to leave a good gap between "over's" to enable others to break in and to allow connecting repeaters to reset. Always remember that EchoLink does require that you pause between your transmissions. 

 Recommended Repeater Operating Procedures
EchoLink is very simple to use. Our node is set up very basic and is very much like other nodes that you may encounter, although each node can be set up differently.
Please use the following procedures when accessing IRLP or EchoIRLP.

1. Listen to ensure that no one is using the repeater.

2. Announce your call sign and state that you wish to connect to the EchoLink system.
    Example: "This is "CALL SIGN" accessing the WC4PEM EchoLink System"

3. USE your DTMF keypad to open EchoLink and connect to a node.   (See the DTMF table below for codes)

4. After connecting, LISTEN and then announce your station and make your call.

5. Disconnect from the WC4PEM EchoLink node. (Press 73) 

6. Sign off the repeater with your call sign as usual.

The table below lists each of the DTMF commands.

DTMF Command 

EchoIRLP Command Description

Default

Connect to a node

Connects to a station on the Internet, based on its node number. If the specified node is not among the stations currently "logged on", EchoLink will say "NOT FOUND".

POUND,
Node Number
(#xxxxx)

Random Node

Selects an available node (of any type) at random, and tries to connect to it.

n/a*

Random Link

Selects an available link or repeater (-L or -R) at random, and tries to connect to it.

n/a*

Random Conf

Selects a conference server at random, and tries to connect to it.

n/a*

Random User

Selects an available single-user station at random, and tries to connect to it.

n/a*

Disconnect

Disconnects the station that is currently connected.  If more than one station is connected, disconnects only the most-recently-connected station.

73

IRLP connect to a node

Connects to an IRLP node through the IRLP NETWORK. There are various tones
that would be sent if there is an error, other wise the node will tell you that you are connecting(ed) to the station you have called.

FOUR
DIGITS
(xxxx)

STAR 69

Means what it does, reads back last calling stations ID and time, and the last outgoing call and time. The system does not read back the EchoLink calls at this
current time, the scripts are current being reviewed for this process.

STAR 69
(*69)

Status

Announces the call sign of each station currently connected.

STAR

Play Info

Plays a brief ID message for this node.

411

EmComm

Connect to the national EmComm EchoLink server

#2868

Weather

This will play back an information file on the what METAR stations are on the node.
In the near future, IRLP systems may enable the automated read back of Pete Bro.'s Weather Stations. (this is in the works but not released)

"WX" or 99

Operating Hint: Keep in mind that not all EchoLink nodes use these exact commands.
* These commands follow the format for EchoIRLP systems only and may not
be that of the "STANDARD WINDOWS VERSION" that can be found in most areas
of the United States and abroad. In the near future these options will be enabled
and may fallow the same commands as the windoze version of EchoLink.
JUST REMEMBER ---ENJOY IT!!!

All of this info can be downloaded and printed here.

Below are photos of the new repeater WC4PEM at I-4 and 27

.