By Steve Ford, WB8IMY VoIP and Amateur Radio An increasing number of amateurs are putting the Internet to work as a bridge for long-distance voice communication. Discover what the Voice Over Internet Protocol buzz is all about!

oice Over Internet Protocol, bet- ter known as VoIP, is not new. VPeople have been enjoying voice communication over the Internet for years. What is new are the latest Ama- teur Radio applications of VoIP. Rather than relying on ionospheric propagation for long-distance communication, a growing number of hams are using the Internet in combination with VHF or UHF FM transceivers to span hundreds or thousands of miles. There are several flavors of amateur VoIP in use today. Depending on how they are configured, these systems may Figure 1—Two FM repeaters linked via VoIP. involve repeater linking where two dis- tant repeater systems share signals with one another (Figure 1). Another applica- tion is so-called simplex linking where one or more users with handheld or mobile transceivers communicate directly with a “base” station (or node) that is linked to the Internet (Figure 2). The one element that all amateur VoIP systems have in common is that the Internet acts as the relay between stations. The appeal of amateur VoIP is easy to understand. Technician licensees without access to HF can use these VoIP systems to enjoy a kind of “Internet-aided” DXing, having conversations with other hams far beyond the range of their FM transceiv- ers. General and Amateur Extra hams Figure 2—A diagram of a VoIP simplex node. If a control operator is not physically without HF stations at home can also ben- present at the station location and the node is functioning with wireless remote efit from VoIP in the same manner. control, the control link must operate above 222.15 MHz. See the sidebar, “Is It Legal?”. Let’s take a brief look at a few of the current incarnations of Amateur Radio VoIP. connect to an EchoLink server. Before ment. After browsing the directory, you you can make your first connection to the can request a connection between your EchoLink network, your call sign must be verified computer and that of another amateur. EchoLink was developed by Jonathan with the information in the FCC database. Here’s where it becomes interesting. Taylor, K1RFD, in early 2002. In an This can take minutes or hours, depend- The ham on the EchoLink receiving end astonishingly short period of time, ing on the state of the system, but it helps may be sitting in front of his computer EchoLink has become one of the domi- reduce the chances of nonhams entering with a headset and microphone. Or he nant Amateur Radio VoIP systems with the EchoLink network. may have his computer connected to a more than 30,000 users worldwide. The Once you’re validated (you only do base radio at his station that is acting as free EchoLink software for Windows can this once), the rest is easy. The EchoLink an RF relay to a handheld transceiver or be downloaded at www.echolink.org. server acts like a telephone switchboard mobile rig. Or the destination station may When you start the EchoLink soft- in cyberspace. It maintains a directory of be part of a repeater system. In any case, ware, your computer taps the Internet to everyone who is connected at any mo- once the connection is established, any- From February 2003 QST © ARRL Is It Legal? By Brennan Price, N4QX and ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD What Part 97 regulations govern VoIP-assisted controlled (as any Amateur Radio station is allowed to be). Amateur Radio? All of them or none of them, depending on whether Locally or remotely controlled—what does that you’re asking about the “VoIP-assisted” or the “Amateur mean? Radio” part of VoIP-assisted Amateur Radio. A simplex VoIP node may be locally controlled by an Many callers to the ARRL’s Regulatory Information operator who is present at the node. Such a node may also Branch over the last few years have focused on the novelty be remotely controlled at some other point, with the opera- of the Internet when asking questions about the legal uses tor issuing commands via a wireline or radio control link. If a of certain systems. Such focus is misdirected. Part 97 does radio control link is used, it must utilize an auxiliary station, not regulate systems; it regulates stations. The Commission and such stations are restricted in frequency to 222.15 MHz doesn’t care what a ham has feeding his or her station; it and above (with the exception of the CW, SSB and amateur cares that the station—not the Internet, but the station— satellite portions of the 70-cm band). It’s this remotely con- is properly operated. And all the rules that apply to any trolled aspect that allows VoIP simplex nodes to operate Amateur Radio station apply to one that retransmits audio legally—as long as they are on the right bands. fed to it by VoIP. Let’s consider seven scenarios: • A control operator is stationed and active at the VoIP Fine, so the Commission doesn’t care about the node on any frequency. This is a locally controlled station, VoIP part. Are there any particular rules a ham consid- not at all unlike a typical operation on FM simplex. ering such an operation should be aware of? This is legal. The obvious answer is all of them, but we’ll focus on a • few that are easy to overlook, particularly for stand-alone, A control operator communicates with and controls a single channel operations. The main points to remember: simplex VoIP node with a handheld, transmitting and listen- • All stations must be controlled. ing to the node on 223.52 MHz. This is wireless remote control. Such control must be executed by an auxiliary • Only certain types of stations may be automatically station and 223.52 MHz is an allowed frequency for such a controlled. station. This is legal. • Simplex voice operations do not qualify for automatic • A control operator communicates with and controls a control. simplex VoIP node with a handheld, transmitting and listen- • Any station that is remotely controlled via radio must ing to the node on 147.41 MHz. This is wireless remote utilize an auxiliary station to execute said control, and control. Such control must be executed by an auxiliary auxiliary stations are restricted in frequency. station, but 147.41 MHz is not an allowed frequency for It’s not as hard as it sounds. All you have to do is think such a station. This operation is not legal. It may be about the type of station you’re operating and how it’s con- made legal by locally controlling the node, choosing a con- trolled. Let’s look at a few examples. trol frequency on which auxiliary station operation is permit- ted, or controlling the node via a wireline link. The next Two automatically controlled repeaters are linked three examples show each option in action. via VoIP. Is this legal? • A control operator operates a simplex VoIP node at Forget the VoIP linking, because that’s the Internet. 147.41 MHz and is stationed at the node’s transmitter. User We’re talking about two repeaters. Are repeaters legal? stations access the node on the same frequency. This is Yes. May repeaters be automatically controlled? Yes. There legal. The VoIP node is being locally controlled, and any is no difference between this setup and two repeaters station may be locally controlled. linked by another wired mechanism or by auxiliary stations. • A control operator operates a simplex VoIP node at Assuming the two linked stations are repeaters, it is difficult 147.41 MHz. The control operator continually monitors the to conceive of a situation where a VoIP link would not pass node’s transmissions and can call a dedicated telephone regulatory muster. The only caveat is that the VoIP software line or use a dedicated Internet connection to turn the node must prevent nonhams from accessing the repeaters from on and off. User stations access the node on the same the Internet. The key here is to avoid any configuration that frequency. This is legal. The VoIP node is being remotely would (1) permit a nonham to key an amateur transmitter controlled via a wireline connection, and any station may be without the presence of a control operator, and (2) prevent controlled in this manner. the initiation by a nonham of a message via an Amateur • Station without the presence of a control operator. A control operator communicates with and controls a simplex VoIP node with a multiband handheld, transmitting Is it permitted to enable automatically controlled to and continuously monitoring the node on 147.41 MHz. simplex nodes? He or she sends power on/off commands with the same No. Only certain types of Amateur Radio stations may be handheld on 223.52 MHz. This is wireless remote control. operated unattended, under automatic control. This means Such control must be executed by an auxiliary station, and that there is no human control either at the station location 223.52 MHz is an allowed frequency for such a station. or at a distance. These types of stations are space stations, This is legal. The VoIP node is being remotely controlled repeaters, beacons, auxiliary stations and certain types of via an auxiliary station of appropriate frequency, and any stations transmitting RTTY or data emissions. station may be controlled in this manner. Simplex VoIP nodes are neither repeaters, beacons • Same configuration as either of the above two situations, nor auxiliary stations. Presumably, most are within except the control operator does not continuously monitor 50 kilometers of the Earth’s surface and are therefore not the VoIP node’s transmissions. This operation is not space stations. The VoIP technology implies a voice trans- legal. When a simplex VoIP node is enabled, it must be mission, not RTTY or data. Therefore, none of the stations continually attended, either locally or remotely. A simplex that qualify for automatic control describe a simplex VoIP VoIP node is no different than other FM simplex operations, node, and such a station must be locally or remotely and such operations may not be automatically controlled.

From February 2003 QST © ARRL thing you say will wind up being heard your sound card and the headphone plug example, by issuing commands on a in the other amateur’s headset, or trans- typically attaches to the SPEAKER OUT remote UHF link, or via the Internet. It mitted over the air. jack. In addition to setting up the even allows remote rebooting of the At your end of the EchoLink connec- EchoLink software, you may also need station PC. tion, you may be the one wearing the to adjust your sound card VOLUME and Also take a look at the multimode in- headset, or using a simplex connection to RECORDING control settings in Windows. terface board designed by VA3TO. You’ll your base radio, or using a repeater. When If you plan to connect a radio to your find it on the Web at www.ilinkca.com. you connect to an individual station, the computer so that you can use EchoLink custom is to call in the same fashion as over an RF link, you’ll need an interface. iLink you would during a traditional on-air con- The strong enthusiasm for EchoLink is The iLink system is the brainchild of versation: “W1ABC from WB8IMY.” Or driven by the fact that it does not require Graeme Barnes, MØCSH. iLink is one of if you are connecting to a distant repeater a specialized hardware interface for con- the VoIP pioneers and is functionally system: “WB8IMY, Wallingford, Con- nections to transceivers. All timing func- quite similar to EchoLink, although it necticut.” (You need to hesitate about 2 tions and DTMF decoding take place requires a specialized radio interface such seconds before speaking to compensate within the EchoLink software. This as the ULI or VA3TO boards mentioned for the delay.) means that you can enjoy EchoLink with above. The iLink software is available for The EchoLink servers also support the radio of your choice by using com- free downloading on the Web at conferencing where several amateurs can mon sound card interfaces such as those www.aacnet.net/radio.html. converse in roundtable fashion. There are sold by West Mountain Radio (the EchoLink and iLink users are on sepa- even EchoLink nets that meet within RIGblaster folks), MFJ, TigerTronics and rate server systems. With the rise of these conference areas on a scheduled others. If you are already operating EchoLink, however, iLink has seen basis. PSK31, RTTY, SSTV or similar modes dramatically reduced activity in recent with a sound card interface, you can be- months. EchoLink Setup come an EchoLink operator by simply To run EchoLink you’ll need a PC with downloading and installing the soft- eQSO Windows 98/2000/XP and a sound card. ware—no additional hardware or cable eQSO, created by Paul Davies, The software is easy to set up. A “wiz- connections required. MØZPD, was designed to operate like a ard” function guides you through each There are also hardware interfaces worldwide ham radio net. It is based step. specifically designed with VoIP in mind. around dedicated servers, and can be used If you want to enjoy EchoLink con- Check out the ULI (Ultimate Linking from a personal computer or through a versations while sitting at your computer, Interface) from James Milner, WB2REM, radio link (known on eQSO as an “RF you will need a microphone headset. at www.ilinkboards.com. The ULI gateway”). These are commonly available from works with VoIP as well as the various The eQSO software for Windows is several QST advertisers as well as Amateur Radio digital modes. It also available for free downloading on the RadioShack. The microphone plug at- offers built-in computer control of your Web at www.eqso.net, with on-line sup- taches to the microphone input jack of radio. You can change frequencies, for port available at www.eqso.org. A link-

The advanced ULI interface can be used with iLink, EchoLink and eQSO, as well as other Amateur Radio digital modes such Figure 3—This is an example of one of the node maps as RTTY and PSK31. The ULI offers versatile remote control maintained by WW4M at status.irlp.net. capability. See www.ilinkboards.com. From February 2003 QST © ARRL ing version of the software offers cour- tesy tones and a CW ID, and uses the computer’s COM port for keying the Figure 4—The transmitter and reading the receiver’s hardware squelch status. If a squelch line is not controller at the heart of the Yaesu available, eQSO has an internal VOX WIRES-II system. function that can be selected. eQSO works with all the usual PC-to-radio interface boards mentioned previously. Because there is no call sign valida- tion, eQSO has security features that can be activated by “administrators.” “WB8IMY accessing Node 5555.” Once modes. The SRG (Sister Repeater Group) Administrators can mute or even block the connection is set up, you’ll hear a mode allows users to connect to any other people who don’t operate according to voice ID from the target node. When you WIRES-II node (up to 10 repeaters or license privileges. hear the confirming ID, you’re free to base stations) within a group specified by Shortwave listeners (SWLs) are also make your call and start a conversation. the node operator. As with IRLP, DTMF encouraged to use eQSO, and they are IRLP also supports roundtable tones are used to control access. Depend- trusted not to talk in “rooms” containing conferencing on reflectors. These reflec- ing on how the node operator has config- radio links. Those who do are muted or tors allow only one person to talk at a ured his system, you may need to send a banned. However, SWLs can talk with time, but quite a few stations can con- single DTMF tone before each transmis- hams in “off-air” rooms and many con- nect simultaneously. Every other Sunday sion, or just at the beginning and end of sider this as further encouragement to the IRLP International Net convenes and your contact. gain a license. Operators of RF gateways invites check-ins from around the world. The FRG (Friends’ Repeater Group) should avoid connecting their stations to To participate in the net there must be a operating mode allows you to connect to these “off-air” rooms. local net controller for your node. If a any other WIRES-II node in the world. local controller is not available, you can The FRG mode also allows group calling IRLP only monitor. Young hams will find the of up to 10 nodes, a kind of conferencing With IRLP—the Internet Radio Link- IRLP4KIDs Net on IRLP Reflector 5, function. To make a regular FRG call, you ing Project—we enter the realm of VoIP Channel 8 (node 9508) every Saturday at press #, then five more DTMF digits de- networks that can only be accessed by ra- 0100 UTC. For more information about pending on the ID number of the WIRES- dios. this net, see www.qsl.net/irlp4kids or II node you are attempting to access. David Cameron, VE7LTD, is the cre- e-mail [email protected]. ator of IRLP. Dave and Michael Illingby, To set up a node you need a computer But Is It Ham Radio? VE7TFD, set up the first two IRLP nodes running Linux, the IRLP software and an The answer to that question depends to link Vancouver and Vernon, British IRLP hardware interface. The nodes are on how you define “ham radio,” and there Columbia. tightly coordinated within the IRLP net- is no shortage of opinions. Some radio The IRLP network consists of nodes work and they use PGP cryptography to purists reject amateur VoIP completely. on either FM repeaters or simplex. All authenticate each other. All of this tech- They feel that hams shouldn’t incorporate node systems run IRLP Linux-based soft- nology is transparent to most IRLP us- the Internet into any aspect of Amateur ware and use specialized IRLP interfac- ers, though. If an IRLP node exists in Radio communication. It must be all RF ing hardware. Individual users need only your area, all you need is an FM trans- or nothing. Others take a more expansive access the node and use the appropriate ceiver to join the fun. You can find more view and only draw the line at VoIP com- DTMF codes to set up an IRLP contact. information about IRLP on the Web at munication that lacks radios at both ends Unlike iLink, EchoLink and eQSO, you www.irlp.net/. of the Internet path. cannot use IRLP directly from a PC with- One thing that can probably be said out a radio, which makes it more secure WIRES-II with certainty is that amateur VoIP is here against nonham access. WIRES-II—Wide-coverage Internet to stay. Amateurs young and old are em- Using an IRLP node is a lot like using Repeater Enhancement System—is a VoIP bracing the technology, and the growth a repeater autopatch. The first thing you network created by Yaesu that is similar of affordable broadband Internet access must do is obtain the access code from in function to IRLP, except that the is acting as a catalyst. To invoke the the node operator or group. As with some WIRES-II node software runs under Win- shopworn cliché, amateur VoIP isn’t autopatches, you may be required to join dows. Like IRLP, WIRES-II is entirely ra- everyone’s cup of tea. It is just one of the a club before you receive the access dio based; you cannot access a WIRES-II dozens of interests that comprise Ama- codes. Some IRLP nodes also use CTCSS node directly from the Internet. A WIRES- teur Radio. If amateur VoIP offends your subaudible tones in addition to DTMF II host server maintains a continuously radio sensibilities, avoid it. If not, a new codes to control access. updated list of all active nodes. operating experience awaits. An interactive map and list of IRLP The hardware portion of WIRES-II is nodes is available on the Web at the HRI-100 interface (Figure 4). The Thanks to Chris Kirby, G4FZN, Jonathan status.irlp.net (see the example in HRI-100 connects to a PC, which in turn Taylor, K1RFD, James Milner, WB2REM, Figure 3). To connect to an IRLP node, is connected to the Internet via high- Paul Cassel, VE3SY, Dave Cameron, you usually begin by identifying yourself speed or dial-up access. The HRI-100 VE7LTD, Chip Margelli, K7JA, Brennan and sending the DTMF access code. If also acts as the interface between the node Price, N4QX and Chris Imlay, W3KD, for you are successful, the node will respond. radio and the computer. Even though the their assistance during the preparation of After that, it is a matter of stating your HRI-100 is manufactured by Yaesu, it is this article. Steve Ford, WB8IMY, is the intentions and sending the 4-digit code designed to work with any transceiver. Editor of QST and can be contacted at for the distant node you wish to access: There are two WIRES-II operating [email protected]. From February 2003 QST © ARRL