Sioux Falls, South Dakota USA

IRLP Nodes  5160 & 3908

          Node Guidelines: 

        To call a Node or reflector:

• Please listen for 30 seconds to see if the node is already in use.  
• Put out a call asking if anyone is using the IRLP and then wait 30 seconds for a response.
• Following this, state your call-sign and announce the node number you wish to call. E.g. This is ky0bbo calling node 1234 on the IRLP. Immediately after announcing this, dial the node number you wish to call.
• To connect to a Node or reflector, Dial the Node Number with your DTMF keypad. 
• After connecting to a node, listen for 30 seconds to ensure you don't interrupt a QSO. Your then free to put out a call.
• During a QSO, please pause 2 seconds (minimum) before keying up to allow other stations to disconnect or break in.
• When connected to a reflector or node, key your radio then wait one second to allow the other node/s to begin transmitting.
• To Disconnect from a Node enter "73".  NOTE: You can only enter a disconnect code when the link is idle. If the operator on the other end is long-winded, you're at his mercy, until the node timeout breaks in. An 8 minute timeout has been set to drop the node if no audio is detected from this end. 
• There are no "access codes" for this node. It's open for everyone to use. Enjoy

If you need a list of nodes, where they are located, what nodes are connect to each other, what are the frequencies of other nodes, etc.  go to http://status.irlp.net/ 

 

What is a Node? 

A Node refers to a computer that is either connected to a repeater or runs on a simplex basis. Nodes can be connected to each other in 2 different ways. The first way is Node to Node, and the 2nd is via a reflector. Node to Node is virtually 2 linked repeaters located anywhere in the world on the IRLP system.  

What is a reflector? 

A reflector is a computer allowing multiple nodes to connect simultaneously. e.g. If I was talking to node 6220 and we both needed to talk to node 6000, we could all dial in to a reflector and be all connected simultaneously. More than 20 nodes can connect to a reflector simultaneously. 

The reflectors have 10 'channels' each. You can access these different channels by dialing the three-digit reflector number, plus a channel number from 0 to 9. For example, channel 3 on Reflector 925 would be "9253".  The most commonly used channel on a reflector is channel 0.

Two of these new channels, 8 and 9, have a special purpose. They use a special audio encoding method so that nodes on dial-up connections can now use the reflectors. This means very little to us locally, except that if you want to talk with a group on a reflector that includes a dial up node you'll have to be on channel 8 or 9. However, if you're making a direct connection to a dial-up node there is no difference.

 

        Node Information and Short Operating Guidelines

• To Connect to Another Node: Enter the node number.
• To Disconnect from the Node: Enter "73"
• Note: You can only enter a disconnect code when the link is idle .i.e. no radio traffic 
• Node to Node timeout: 8 minutes
• Node to Reflector timeout : 20 minutes
• There are no access codes on these nodes

About Node Timeouts: 

• The timeout for reflectors has been set to 20 minutes. e.g. If no one transmits locally for 20 minutes the reflector will disconnect.
• The timeout for Node to Node QSOs has been set to 8 minutes. e.g. If no one transmits locally for 8 minutes the node will disconnect.

        Node Number: 5160

• Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Node Callsign: K9VKG
• Frequency: 145.710
• Offset: None - Simplex
• PL (CTCSS) Tone: 123.0

Node Technical Information: Node 5160

• Node Computer: Pentium II 300Mhz
• Operating System: Linux 6.2 Redhat
• Radio TX/RX: Yaesu FT1500
• Antenna: X500HNA DIAMOND - 144Mhz -  8.3dB/ 440Mhz - 11.7dB  @ 25 feet, Length 17 Feet
• Power Output: 100W ( currently testing coverage area)
• Internet:  3000 kbps upload/ 24000kbps download speed. (IRLP only requires 56KBs. 128KBs to work well) 

            Coverage: 

The Node has excellent coverage over the entire Sioux Falls Area extending in all directions. The node works well for mobile units up to 25 miles from Sioux Falls. There is good handheld coverage of the downtown area, as well as the entire Sioux Falls Metro Area.

 Node Number: 3908

• Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Node Callsign: K9VKG
• Frequency: 442.000Mhz (repeater output)
• Offset: None: + (447.000Mhz : repeater input)
• PL (CTCSS) Tone: none

Node Technical Information: Node 3908

• Node Computer: Pentium II 300Mhz
• Operating System: Linux 6.2 Redhat
• Repeater: GE Master Exec II
• Antenna: X500HNA DIAMOND - 144Mhz -  8.3dB/ 440Mhz - 11.7dB  @ 25 feet, Length 17 Feet
• Power Output: 40W ( currently testing coverage area)
• Internet:  3000 kbps upload/ 24000kbps download speed. (IRLP only requires 56KBs. 128KBs to work well) 

  Coverage: 

The Node currently covers the Sioux Falls area. When relocated to the new location coverage should improve immensely.

 

          IRLP Links:

• IRLP Node List and Status
• IRLP Reflector Status
• IRLP Home Page
• IRLP Operating Guideline

 

 

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Latest IRLP News: During Space Shuttle flights the node will be connected to the NASA mission control feed for approximately 70% of the time. From time to time the node will also be connected to Live Hurricane Nets.

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Latest News: My repeater is up and running on 442.000Mhz, + (447.000Mhz). I'm working on putting the repeater on a 240ft tower. This should give some great coverage of Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. My second IRLP node will be operational full time on this repeater shortly.

 

Other projects in the works:

►  Build a VHF repeater for node 5160 (Already started)
►  Install my APRS unit in SUV full time (completed)
►  Possible construct a 6M Simplex Node linked to one of the repeaters (on Hold)

 

 

If anyone in South Dakota, North Dakota, Southern Minnesota or North West Iowa would like help in building an IRLP node, please let me know. I'd be more than happy to assist. 

          If you have any questions contact me at: k9vkg@k9vkg.com 

Sioux Falls Weather

Below is the current weather at my location in Sioux Falls. The Weather information is updated every minute and runs 24hrs a day. This computer uploads both the weather and Live Camera Shots. It sits along side my IRLP link computer.

Currently Out Of Service

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