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Batlabs VoIP backhaul

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:08 am
by /\/\y 2 cents
Hi all,

Would anyone like to get together and link their repeaters or simplex radios to other batlabs members all over the world? This way we could all talk to each other on our HT's and Mobiles from where ever we are. We can have different rooms like the board has. We can even have a roundtable room. Right now I have a UHF PassPORT LTR system on there, I am looking for others who are interested in helping add to my private linking system for bat members. All you need is an extra radio and internet connection of 56K or higher. It dosent have t obe a repeater, it can be a simplex link. We can switch beteween rooms using DTMF and even pass MDC1200. Anyone that wants to join let me know

Thanks,
Steve

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:17 pm
by amds
This is a great idea. Most batlabbers have their ham licenses. The IRLP network works great, and you guys could get a dedicated reflector channel to use.

IRLP is top notch.

http://www.irlp.net for more info.

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:33 am
by /\/\y 2 cents
Yes IRLP is a good system. Personally I use the system that I helped create based on a variant of eQSO. This way bat labbers are truly the only ones on this system. You dont need a ham license because I had in mind the batlabbers not only using commercial gear, but commercial frequencies, or GMRS or DOT channels or whatever they use now. This way a Ham station and commercial station are not "crossed" and the GMRS user is not TXing on the ham bands. Anyone who wants in let me know.

Regards,
Steve

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:19 am
by wb4bsd
how are you linking the radio with the computer?

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:15 pm
by /\/\y 2 cents
Where to begin,

Any echolink/psk31/iLink/eqso board will work on the system, so if you already have an investment in a hobby-class board then you can still come to the link party which was something that was important to us and we thought a great deal about.

The radio is linked with an audio/control circuit made by my company, using a high end PCB stamp, by a Ham operator and one of my engineers named Jim Millner (WB2REM.) Jim makes the boards and I drive around like a mad man and sell them to Motorola, Kenwood, iCom, and Vertex dealers to help them beat NEXTEL for wide area coverage. We have come up with a special variant of our exisitng Ham design that allows the box to operate within the silly legal guidelines the FCC has set for wireline control with unattended operation for commercial stations. Maybe one of you guys can find the link to the law. VoiP isn't even technically wireline control, but it has the same effect, so we decided to design for electronic-theory challenged judges ahead of time. This is just an example of where the law is antiquated and VoiP will change the laws on our books, but that is another discussion. Being a ham board and not having to adhere to the rules was fun for awhile, but the law is the law and this is the only way to get the big dealers to have total protection from being liable. Anyways, this is done by special code embedded in a tiny microprocessor. It acts almost as a time out timer but for more than just the radio. There is also special circuitry that has to do with filtering all of the noise from the computer that occurs when you start hooking up PC class computers to radios. PC's are terrible when it comes to spewing all sorts of electromagnetic noise. It is the worst on laptops because of the power supply. Big, old CRT's can wreak havoc too. Especally near radio equipment that was built before desktop PC's were popular (like using a mitrek for a link radio). We found ourselves walking into all sorts of situations, so we designed for the lowest common denominator. The worst thing to have happen is to ruin the value equation to a customer by making the customer buy "newer" radios. This made or broke some deals and we think it is a form of insurance for the sales guy that he can have confidence in the solution and won't have to wait to find out when he flips the switch. Anyways these are just a few of the improvements that have been made by getting them into the commercial sector. In a nutshell we are like the 1962-1995 Motorola of internet links when it comes to quality. If you want to join the BatServer I set up for the board let me know.

Regards,
Steve

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:30 pm
by The Pager Geek
Steve.

What Company do you work for / own, and can you provide a link?

I've tried contacting you for info on your products.

Thanks,
tpg

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:24 am
by /\/\y 2 cents
My company is called Critical RF, Inc. , I am in the process of changing it to Scientific Packet or Packet Sciences, but can't decide. My website is : http://www.criticalrf.com and my email is [email protected] You can PM me for my phone # although I have posted it freely many times on the board.

Thanks,
Steve

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:17 am
by Mikey
Hey Steve, i might be interested in Linking my Repeater up with other Batlabs Members. I am a Vertex Standard Dealer in North Central Missouri, i run a 50 Watt VHF Repeater on a Commercially licensed channel. Can you give me some more information in how your system operates? I might be able to sell some setups like that here in Missouri were the terrain makes communications a little tricky at times. Thanks


Mike

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 2:50 pm
by /\/\y 2 cents
Mike,

I will PM you on how you can get a Demo system set up on your 50 watt station. I will also get with you on information on how to begin using our system in your dealership to start briging your customers unrivaled coverage and propel your vertex equipment into entirely new applications. Check back in our mailbox tomorrow. I have to get out this Saturday night.

Regards,

Steve Calabrese

Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 1:32 pm
by firegood
Is this still in development, its a cool idea but im not a ham. Let me know whats going on.

Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 2:46 pm
by /\/\y 2 cents
Yes it is fully developed. You do not need to be a ham to use it, our server is for anyone with a station license or GMRS or IG, YG, PW, Etc. if you want to put a repeater or simplex base on it. If you only have a PC then you fall under the license holder of the system your talking out of. You only need to be a Ham if you are using the Ham server because there are Amatuer control station your voice is being TX through. Hope this helps,

Regards,

Steve

Linking

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:46 pm
by KB2ZTX
Steve,

I am interested in this. Presently run a 5 channel LTR system in the Syracuse, NY area. Get me details. PM me and I'll give you an email address to email me at.

JAS

I might try it

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:12 am
by chiefhal3
Hey, I have two personal or private talk groups on an 800 trunked system. It is a type I motorola if that matters. I would be willing to give it a try on the B subfleet and see what all kind of chatter is on there. I would tie a GTX800 to my desktop pc at home with a cable internet connection through my local network. What hardware and software would I need to do this and what's the cost?

I also have an MCS2000 I might use if that is any easier or better. I presume from a radio standpoint I would just set the radio on the channel I wish to talk and monitor and plug into the accessory plug or mic plug?

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 9:36 am
by /\/\y 2 cents
Yes you can use the GTX mobile no problem. In fact I have over 12 in service right now on various 900Mhz type I/II systems. You can also use the MCS no problem as well. There are a few different ways we price a system. The more you can build yourself the less it cost you. Do you know how to make an audio cable for the GTX? IF you can make a programming cable then you will have no problem using the provided schematics to build one yourself. If you would like a completely plug and play system we can build you that as well. I will PM you with a quote for a working system. Thanks for your interest.

Regards,

Steve Calabrese
Critical RF, Inc.
(803)474-4745
http://www.criticalrf.com

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:26 am
by wb4bsd
amds wrote:This is a great idea. Most batlabbers have their ham licenses. The IRLP network works great, and you guys could get a dedicated reflector channel to use.

IRLP is top notch.

http://www.irlp.net for more info.
We at Hamsexy.com use reflector 9008 on wednesday nights for our weekly voip net. That particular reflector is linked to echolink also, so the turnout is great.

Come join us!

i own Node 4739...

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:35 am
by /\/\y 2 cents
yes but for IRLP/EchoLink you must have an Amatuer license (which I am in favor of people getting.) This server I have set up is for any radio service, there are no amatuer stations connected. FRS, GMRS, SMR, etc. can all talk as one no matter what license you have (or don't have.) We also have a server set up for Public Safety Interoperabilty. You can read about it here:

http://server.eqso.info/

Later,
Steve