New way to link repeaters over the Internet
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 3:50 pm
Hi,
I'm one of the developers working on a new program used to link repeaters over the internet. Our software runs under Linux and uses the open source Asterisk PBX. Some of the unique features are:
The ability to run several repeaters off of one PC. We can do this because we use TDM (Time Domain Multiplexing) hardware, and not a sound card. For example, if you use a T1 adapter card and a channel bank, you can control up to 12 separate repeaters or remote bases simultaneously. Each repeater/ remote is autonomous and can be a separate node on an internet linked system. We use 4 wire audio from the TDM card(s) to a small adapter card which you can build yourself. The adapter card
creates COR,PL, PTT, and TX and RX audio signals from the 4 wire connection. We are full duplex through the entire audio path including links due to the 4 wire connection scheme. All linking is done with the IAX2 protocol under Asterisk which is very efficient on bandwidth.
Commanding a the far-end node on a linked system. Functions are able to be executed on a remote node by going into "command mode" on the near-end node you are accessing.
Autonmous remote base nodes. Our VHF/UHF remote base implementation allows autonomous connection from any node (one node at a time). Using the remote base node does not tie up any repeater nodes at the same site. We currently support the Doug Hall remote base interface using Kenwood TM-series radios.
An Autopatch based on VOIP or POTS (your choice). Since the underlying software is the Asterisk PBX, you have all the resources of a telephone softswitch at your disposal. to have the calls go through Voice Service Provider such as Voicepulse without having a local phone line dedicated for Autopatch service.
For more information take a look at the following links:
http://www.zapatatelephony.org/app_rpt.html
http://www.allstarlink.org
Steve Rodgers
WA6ZFT
I'm one of the developers working on a new program used to link repeaters over the internet. Our software runs under Linux and uses the open source Asterisk PBX. Some of the unique features are:
The ability to run several repeaters off of one PC. We can do this because we use TDM (Time Domain Multiplexing) hardware, and not a sound card. For example, if you use a T1 adapter card and a channel bank, you can control up to 12 separate repeaters or remote bases simultaneously. Each repeater/ remote is autonomous and can be a separate node on an internet linked system. We use 4 wire audio from the TDM card(s) to a small adapter card which you can build yourself. The adapter card
creates COR,PL, PTT, and TX and RX audio signals from the 4 wire connection. We are full duplex through the entire audio path including links due to the 4 wire connection scheme. All linking is done with the IAX2 protocol under Asterisk which is very efficient on bandwidth.
Commanding a the far-end node on a linked system. Functions are able to be executed on a remote node by going into "command mode" on the near-end node you are accessing.
Autonmous remote base nodes. Our VHF/UHF remote base implementation allows autonomous connection from any node (one node at a time). Using the remote base node does not tie up any repeater nodes at the same site. We currently support the Doug Hall remote base interface using Kenwood TM-series radios.
An Autopatch based on VOIP or POTS (your choice). Since the underlying software is the Asterisk PBX, you have all the resources of a telephone softswitch at your disposal. to have the calls go through Voice Service Provider such as Voicepulse without having a local phone line dedicated for Autopatch service.
For more information take a look at the following links:
http://www.zapatatelephony.org/app_rpt.html
http://www.allstarlink.org
Steve Rodgers
WA6ZFT