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Okay, Andre and others that might not know. There's several options available how to access the system. And I'm going to start with the easiest called RF. In other words a 2 Meter Radio on 145.550 Mhz simplex. Unfortunately at the current moment the GRHub Link Antenna is only about 6 meters from the ground. Corne ZS1COR from George gets into the system by using a Yagi. I plan to put the antenna higher up as soon as I can extend the current mast. By putting the antenna higher up I trust that we'll get a better signal into George so that guys can access the system with a normal J-pole or Slim-Jim or any other gain antenna. I'm working on a 70 cm access point as well, so hopefully in future there will be a 70 cm link active on the GRHub network.
The second method to access the network is via Echolink. Now some say it it too complicated and it's not amateur radio. You get those that does not like the Internet connected to repeaters. Be as it may that's not for me to comment on. You setup Echolink on either a laptop or desktop computer. You can even do it on a Raspberry Pi. You connect to ZS1I-L or any other stations that is linked to the network and then you can talk worldwide and access all those other links that I've mentioned in the VOIP and RF Radio Networks article.
The third way is AllStar. AllStar is a little bit more difficult. Well, I wouldn't say difficult. It's got a little bit more setup work. You need some knowledge of Linux to setup AllStar. AllStar has far better audio quality than Echolink and a variety of Codecs that can be used. It took me quite some time to get the AllStar system up and running, as it uses a Soundcard Fob and all sorts of other hardware. I don't run Echolink on the GRHub network. I created a gateway from Allstar to Echolink. The audio quality is far better than what Echolink can provide. So that's the third method how you can link to the Hub network.
The fourth method is to set up an Echolink Link System in sysop mode with an RF radio attached to your computer, and then you leave that link setup permanently on Echolink. You now form part of the network. You can use your little handheld radio sitting in your lounge or in your shack or even in your garden, and then work to your two meter mobile radio or base station radio, whatever you put up for a link radio. And from there it goes into Echolink, and then it gets sent to the network.
You can put your little handheld on low power and access the area around your house or your perimeter of your house and then you form part of the link system that is currently displayed in that post in that update.
The next method is to set up an AllStar Link System similar to the fourth method. There are also other methods to join the network. In a future install I plan to re-setup AREDN on the 5 Ghz band allowing radio amateurs to access the network through AREDN.
I forgot to mention there's a couple of more methods to access the hub. You can use your cell phone with Echolink installed on your cell phone. Just link to ZS1I-L using your cell phone to get onto the linked network. This way you don't need to have your laptop/desktop running all the time.
I'm also planning to setup a gateway between DMR and Allstar that will allow DMR as well as other digital radio functions, modes, whatever you want to call them to access the network. I've got two digital radios and I will be able to use these radios on the network as well.
The gateway is not up and running currently. So I have to get that going first, but we do it as we go along. I think the first priority now is to get the radio mast higher up in the air to give a better reception/ coverage area.
I've been asked to put up either a VHF, UHF or digital repeater. Now I don't understand why I've got to put up a repeater. Yes, it's easy to put up a repeater. It's not a difficult thing to do. I don't see why I should put up more repeaters in this area. There's so many repeaters already and they are not used on a regular basis. Why should I go through all the trouble in getting a repeater up and it's used by one or two radio amateurs? It's not worth it. It's a waste of money and time. I can also put up a UHF repeater. But how many guys are using UHF in this area? What about a digital repeater. Yes, that is also an option but once again how many radio amateurs in this area have digital radios.
Time will tell whether any additional repeaters will be setup in this area. Until now the GRHub Network has shown to do everything a repeater can do and even more. Future upgrades and add-on installations will be implemented as and when necessary.
Finally: I trust that the above provide information on how to access the network system. My suggestion is that if you want to form part of the ever growing network, you install a permanent Echolink or AllStar Radio Link System in your shack and join the network. This way you form part of the network but you also allow other radio amateurs to access the system in your area. That way the network keeps on growing. If you would like more information or you have any questions please feel free to send me an email in this regard by clicking HERE.
