Mike Coslo wrote:
Simon VK3XEM wrote:

Walt Davidson wrote:

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 18:31:04 +1100, Simon VK3XEM
wrote:


1. IRLP is a popular way of communications on Amateur Radio.




IRLP has as much to do with Amateur Radio as smoke signals or
semaphore.

The only difference is, communication by smoke signals or semaphore
would be a whole lot more challenging and satisfying than IRLP.

73 de G3NYY



WAKE UP! You *MUST* use your radio, the person at the other end
*MUST* use their radio. Last time I checked that was Amateur Radio.


Here is what the difference is.


There is very little difference between IRLP and people using the
internet for making telephone calls.

If a person made a gateway for IRLP using FRS radios, it would be
the same thing. For CB radio, same thing.

There are voice chat rooms for people on the internet already. They
are probably more reliable than IRLP. THey cut out the weak link - the
radio.

The whole setup eliminates every interest and challenge of Amateur
radio, except for the talking. There is as much technical acumen needed
for me to talk around the world using IRLP as there is for me to pick up
the telephone.

Like I said before there are *MANY* parts to our hobby, I don't knock
what you do in Amateur Radio, so leave people alone that like IRLP.


Um, no thanks. Seriously, if you want to do IRLP, then have at it.
But if you do silly things like have contests, then I think I'll voice
my opinion if ya don't mind.

Without new innovations in Amateur Radio we will not get new people
into the hobby. If we don't get new people into the hobby then
Amateur Radio will die a natural death and then we will have to find
another hobby!


And here is the real kick. Do you actually *think* that IRLP is some
kind of "innovation"? It is the internet equivalent of a phone patch.
Like I say, if that is your think, then fine. But to actually have a
contest for such things is silly.

Of course, last time I checked, there was no law against being
silly! 8^)



- Mike KB3EIA -

Up until now I haven't made comment on the contest, that is probably
because I have no real interest at present for contesting, although that
does change from time to time.

I suppose a month long contest is a long time, although I would have
thought that being spread over a large network such as IRLP it wouldn't
have really created a great deal of traffic on any given node.

Besides, how many operators are going to be contesting all month? Most
I would expect will just jump on in their spare time, just as they would
for normal operating.


--
The views I present are my own and NOT of any organisation I belong to.

73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
http://www.aca.gov.au/pls/radcom/cli...IENT_NO=157452
VoIP http://www.TALKonIP.com.au/

Martin, VK2UMJ wrote:

"Jock." wrote in message
...

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 18:31:04 +1100, Simon VK3XEM
wrote:


I don't understand why cell phones aren't included.

How many points would I accrue from working my nearest cellphone
node which is about 2 km distant?


WAKE UP! There are so many different things you can do on Amateur
Radio, there is room for everyone.

Absolutely, but this isn't one of them.


I fail to see the difference between using an FM repeater that is linked to
another repeater on a different band, which is commonly done, and using
IRLP.... Yet using the repeater is perfectly acceptable?

Umm, do we have FM repeater contests?

IRLP is, usually, vastly different than EchoLink.. If stations at both ends
are using radio, then does it really matter how the link between is
established?

That depends. The idea of using Handi-talkies to talk across the world
by IRLP is interesting after a fashion, but in reality not a lot
different than using a phone patch to do the same.


Using linked repeaters is fine, some of which use links
outside amateur bands, yet nobody here is suggesting that we put crap on
those operators!

Frankly, although I use FM repeaters of the linked and normal variety,
they are only for utilitarian purposes, and really aren't all that much
"fun"

Yes, DX contacts via HF are nice, and may be what many consider to be true
amateur radio, but not everyone can get on HF bands and if IRLP helps
increase activity on radio bands then how can it be a bad thing?

It is a dilution of Amateur radio.

I do, however, agree that a 24/7 contest for a whole 28 days is starting to
get a bit much! 24/7 for 1 or 2 days should be enough, just like most other
amateur contests.

Under no circumstances is it "like" other amateur contests.

This is what is a little bothersome about the whole thing. For me to
participate in an HF contest, (excluding that I have to do this stuff
to get on the air anyhow) I need to erect an antenna system that works
fairly well, I have to hone my receiving skills so that I can pull weak
signals, and to learn general good operating practices.

Now, what do I need to do with IRLP?..........

The bothersome part is that it seems like too many IRLP'ers and
Echolinker's, just don't "get " that.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Brian Reay wrote:

"Dan/W4NTI" wrote in message
et...


Thanks for bringing this up Mate!.

My major problem is folks refering to interconnecting "hams" over the
internet as "ham radio". Ham radio is R A D I O . Not INTERNET

connected

to Nodes then to a radio somewhere. Call it whatever you want, but it is
NOT ham radio.



No doubt similar utterances were made when spark transmitters were phased
out.

Technology moves on, that is the nature of things. No one is forcing you to
use ILRP or any of the other modes.


Kindly indicate how IRLP is a moving on of technology?

I can do EVERYTHING that IRLP or Echolink can do by eliminating the
silly Handi-Talkie on the end.

It would all work better if the radio part was eliminated.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Dan/W4NTI wrote:

"Simon VK3XEM" wrote in message
...


Get over it! Go back to your CW if you want, who bothers you or bags you
for using it, I know I certainly don't.


--
The views I present are my own and NOT of any organisation I belong to.

73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
http://www.aca.gov.au/pls/radcom/cli...IENT_NO=157452
VoIP http://www.TALKonIP.com.au/


Thanks for bringing this up Mate!.

My major problem is folks refering to interconnecting "hams" over the
internet as "ham radio". Ham radio is R A D I O . Not INTERNET connected
to Nodes then to a radio somewhere. Call it whatever you want, but it is
NOT ham radio.


It is an H-T audio chat room, Dan.

- Mike KB3EIA -

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
Martin, VK2UMJ wrote:

"Jock." wrote in message
...

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 18:31:04 +1100, Simon VK3XEM
wrote:


I don't understand why cell phones aren't included.

How many points would I accrue from working my nearest cellphone
node which is about 2 km distant?


WAKE UP! There are so many different things you can do on Amateur
Radio, there is room for everyone.

Absolutely, but this isn't one of them.


I fail to see the difference between using an FM repeater that is linked
to another repeater on a different band, which is commonly done, and
using IRLP.... Yet using the repeater is perfectly acceptable?

Umm, do we have FM repeater contests?

Yep..... Well, contests that allow FM repeater contacts anyway...


IRLP is, usually, vastly different than EchoLink.. If stations at both
ends are using radio, then does it really matter how the link between is
established?

That depends. The idea of using Handi-talkies to talk across the world by
IRLP is interesting after a fashion, but in reality not a lot different
than using a phone patch to do the same.


True, but even a phone patch at one stage in history was popular and they
both still use radio to some degree. Maybe not everybody's 'cup of tea',
but still neither is CW, or SSTV, or RTTY, etc..


Using linked repeaters is fine, some of which use links
outside amateur bands, yet nobody here is suggesting that we put crap on
those operators!

Frankly, although I use FM repeaters of the linked and normal variety,
they are only for utilitarian purposes, and really aren't all that much
"fun"

I agree, and while I would much prefer to run DX on 50MHz SSB, that isn't
always possible so what happens during other times? Do I just switch all
the radio gear off and give up, or resort to using repeaters and the like???


Yes, DX contacts via HF are nice, and may be what many consider to be
true amateur radio, but not everyone can get on HF bands and if IRLP
helps increase activity on radio bands then how can it be a bad thing?

It is a dilution of Amateur radio.

Voice was a dilution of Amateur Radio way back in the early days where CW
was all the go, yet here we are removing CW from the entrance requirements.
Rather than criticise those using IRLP, shouldn't we just 'understand' that
maybe they use it for a reason and then encourage them to experiment with
other modes??? On the other hand, I know of many long time hams that use HF
often for DX contacts, even using CW, but at other times (e.g. when mobile,
when portable, or when conditions are very poor) they use IRLP to keep in
touch with overseas stations AND encourage newcomers to the hobby to chat
with people outside their city....


I do, however, agree that a 24/7 contest for a whole 28 days is starting
to get a bit much! 24/7 for 1 or 2 days should be enough, just like most
other amateur contests.

Under no circumstances is it "like" other amateur contests.

This is what is a little bothersome about the whole thing. For me to
participate in an HF contest, (excluding that I have to do this stuff to
get on the air anyhow) I need to erect an antenna system that works fairly
well, I have to hone my receiving skills so that I can pull weak signals,
and to learn general good operating practices.

Now, what do I need to do with IRLP?..........

Erect an an antenna system that works fairly well (depending if you use a
repeater or simplex node), learn general good operating practices, get DTMF
working on your radio!!!!


The bothersome part is that it seems like too many IRLP'ers and
Echolinker's, just don't "get " that.

I agree EchoLink is just not amateur radio, although I use it sometimes from
inside the house where the XYL wont let me bring my radios! But again,
rather than criticise and make fun of their chosen mode, wouldn't we be much
better off encouraging the use of other modes????


- Mike KB3EIA -



--
Martin, VK2UMJ

To reply by e-mail, replace ".invalid" with ".com.au"


Q. Why is Santa so jolly?
A. Because he knows where all the bad girls live!

In article , Jock wrote:
On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 18:31:04 +1100, Simon VK3XEM wrote:

I don't understand why cell phones aren't included.

How many points would I accrue from working my nearest cellphone
node which is about 2 km distant?

WAKE UP! There are so many different things you can do on Amateur
Radio, there is room for everyone.

Absolutely, but this isn't one of them.

-----

The views I present are my own and NOT of any organisation I belong to.

No doubt these organisations will be relieved to hear that.

73 de Jock.

Whats your point, cant accept anything developed in
the 21st century. Go and hit your little white ball
around the fairway....

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

No doubt similar utterances were made when spark transmitters were
phased
out.

Technology moves on, that is the nature of things. No one is forcing you
to
use ILRP or any of the other modes.


Kindly indicate how IRLP is a moving on of technology?

I can do EVERYTHING that IRLP or Echolink can do by eliminating the
silly Handi-Talkie on the end.

It would all work better if the radio part was eliminated.

So you've moved on "even further".

Personally, I like the radio bit and, to me, Echolink (or the other VOIP
systems) aren't "real amateur radio". However, I don't feel the urge to tell
you how you should enjoy your hobby. If Echolink does it for you, please
enjoy the hobby in your own way.

--
Brian Reay
www.g8osn.org.uk
www.amateurradiotraining.org.uk
FP#898

In article , Mike Coslo wrote:

There is very little difference between IRLP and people using the
internet for making telephone calls.

So what, are you saying IRLP is a phone call or what is it ?
Infact who gives a damm what it is, it allows HAMS to
communicate when they want to. IRLP demonstrates whats
possible so if you dont like it, dont use it.


If a person made a gateway for IRLP using FRS radios, it would be the
same thing. For CB radio, same thing.

There are voice chat rooms for people on the internet already. They are
probably more reliable than IRLP. THey cut out the weak link - the radio.


Sure, use them and call it what you want.

The whole setup eliminates every interest and challenge of Amateur
radio, except for the talking. There is as much technical acumen needed
for me to talk around the world using IRLP as there is for me to pick up
the telephone.

eh eh , the standard answer from an Armchair Critic. You Sir have
no idea how IRLP operates and is structured. You even think that
picking up a VOIP phone is a simple exercise. If you've bothered
to investigate how SIP, H323, MGCP and other protocols work
and how this is hooked together to provide VOIP, then I and everyone
else here would love you to make it wonderfully simple...

Like I said before there are *MANY* parts to our hobby, I don't knock
what you do in Amateur Radio, so leave people alone that like IRLP.

Um, no thanks. Seriously, if you want to do IRLP, then have at it. But
if you do silly things like have contests, then I think I'll voice my
opinion if ya don't mind.

I would prefer if you shut your mouth actually and let those
that are interested, have spent the time organising and promoting
get on with it and for you to pursue your own interests, though
your own interests seem to be related in flaming people doing
things you have no interest in....

Without new innovations in Amateur Radio we will not get new people into
the hobby. If we don't get new people into the hobby then Amateur Radio
will die a natural death and then we will have to find another hobby!

And here is the real kick. Do you actually *think* that IRLP is some
kind of "innovation"? It is the internet equivalent of a phone patch.
Like I say, if that is your think, then fine. But to actually have a
contest for such things is silly.

YOu really need to get out more....IRLP has been around for many many
years, 6 to be exact. Its not a phone patch, a phone patch
connects to an analogue circuit. IRLP was one of the early VOIP
systems, you know, those systems that are **6 YEARS LATER getting
press coverage....

Let them contest, collect your stamps and let those that are
interested in their aspect of the hobby get on with it. You
could do **MUCH** better to remain silent and get on with your
**OWN** aspects of the hobby

Of course, last time I checked, there was no law against being silly! 8^)



- Mike KB3EIA -

Aint that a fact....

My major problem is folks refering to interconnecting "hams" over the
internet as "ham radio". Ham radio is R A D I O . Not INTERNET
connected to Nodes then to a radio somewhere. Call it whatever you want,
but it is NOT ham radio.

Dan/W4NTI

********. That rules out repeater linking and remote shacks using any form
of landline. I hope you can convince the DXCC committee to reject all those
QSL cards from peole using remote bases.

Brad

nana wrote:

********. That rules out repeater linking and remote shacks using any form
of landline. I hope you can convince the DXCC committee to reject all those
QSL cards from peole using remote bases.


QSL cards can be exchanged for any sort of radio contact. There are no
rules. Perfectly ok to QSL after an eQSO/Echolnk/IRLP contact. The
problem will arise for DXCC when the card does not make it clear that
the QSO was not 100% radio, and these cards are used to claim awards.

73,
--
Chris