Talkgroup 1294
Talkgroup 1294 - NEW!
Do you own or administer an Australian 23cm repeater or simplex gateway that's capable of being connected to the Internet? If so, you're invited to join Talkgroup 1294.
What is Talkgroup 1294?
Talkgroup 1294 is an SvxReflector talkgroup that is for Australian 23cm FM repeaters and simplex gateways to join, to eventually create a national network of 23cm repeaters. 23cm repeaters are often under utilised, due to challenges of coverage, equipment cost and availability. Unfortunately, the Australian amateur regulations also make it prohibitively complex for 23cm repeaters to join the mainstream Internet connected networks (EchoLink, IRLP, AllStar), due to the fact that 23cm access requires Standard or Advanced grade of licence, and as a result, Foundation operators are not allowed to be retransmitted onto 23cm, while the mainstream networks are linked to 2m and 70cm, where Foundation amateurs can operate.
Why 1294?
Talkgroup 1294 is named after the Australian 23cm FM calling frequency (1294 MHz)., which is immediately above the FM repeater inputs in the band plan. Other numbers were considered, such as 1296 (a common alternative name for the band, and the SSB segment), or 1273/1293 (these alternatives represent the repeater outputs and inputs respectively). However, I figured that the talkgroup could become an alternative place to put out calls on 23cm, and being FM, 1294 was the most appropriate number to use.
How do I connect my 23cm FM repeater to Talkgroup 1294?
First, you need a PC running Linux, which can be connected either directly (hardwired) or indirectly (via RF links) to the repeater controller, and is connected to the Internet. No port forwarding is necessary. Next, install a recent version of SvxLink on the PC. It must be able to support the newer V2 reflector protocol, which includes talkgroups. You will also need a login (use your repeater's or link's callsign) and password to link your system to the reflector. Contact me, Tony VK3JED, via email (I'm current on QRZ), or use the contact form on this site, to request your login details.
Configuring SvxLink is somewhat site specific, but at a minimum, you will need a RepeaterLogic (for repeaters) or SimplexLogic (for simplex links) to control the RF side, and a ReflectorLogic to communicate with the reflector. Connection details will be provided when your application is approved. You will also need a Link, to enable the RF system to be bridged to the reflector connection inside SvxLink. Some systems may use other components of the SvxLink suite, such as remotetrx (useful for IP or RF links to the RF hardware onsite). Some systems may also require tweaking of the RepeaterLogic Tcl scripts to suit their site (I have had to remove the courtesy tone and ID in some setups). Check the SvxLink documentation for further details on configuration. I have some "link friendly" Tcl scripts that I've used for internal (non RF) links.
I'm outside Australia, can I link my 23cm system?
At this time, there's no set policy on non Australian 23cm systems joining Talkgroup 1294. New Zealand systems will be given similar consideration as Australian systems, as we are in the same region. Systems from other countries will be considered on a case by case basis at this time. As the network is very new, I'd like to see a VK/ZL presence established, before getting a lot of international stations on board.
Can I link my non 23cm repeater?
In most cases no. 2m and 70cm repeaters will definitely not be permitted to join - there's already many global networks for these systems to be a part of. 6m, especially Australian 6m repeaters may be considered on a case by case basis, because there's no difference in the licence classes allowed to use 6m and 23cm in Australia, and 6m would offer some interesting DX to the network.
Can I join from my PC/phone?
Not yet, but listen only access via the web for all is planned, via a special instance of hUC. Transmit privileges can be provided to individual Amateurs using this system. You will need to request a username and password and provide evidence of your Amateur qualification (Certificate of Proficiency), which must be either Standard or Advanced. You will also need to provide your callsign, which will be your login name. Because of the administrative overheads, I will only provide transmit access to Australian amateurs at this stage. Equipment needed for web access is a modern web browser on a supported device (Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android). CA certified SSL certificates are used, to ensure smooth operation.
Future Considerations
The Australian Amateur Radio regulations are about to undergo major changes, starting in 2024, with the introduction of the Class Licence for non assigned Amateur stations. Changes to the repeater regulations are flagged for some time later. These changes may relax the rules governing the retransmissions of Amateur stations, which may allow 23cm repeaters to join the mainstream networks in the future. However, in the event this change occurs, Talkgroup 1294 can still serve as a default connection for 23cm systems, while the use of ModuleEchoLink can facilitate connections to EchoLink stations, and AllStar would be possible using the USRP fork of SvxLink with an AllStar node.
These regulatory changes may in turn lead to changes in the policies of Talkgroup 1294. The basic aims of Talkgroup 1294 are to stimulate activity on under utilised 23cm repeaters, while enabling repeater and link owners to easily comply with Amateur regulations of the day. When regulations change, policies may be changed in accordance with both the changes and the wishes of the user community.
Do you own or administer an Australian 23cm repeater or simplex gateway that's capable of being connected to the Internet? If so, you're invited to join Talkgroup 1294.
What is Talkgroup 1294?
Talkgroup 1294 is an SvxReflector talkgroup that is for Australian 23cm FM repeaters and simplex gateways to join, to eventually create a national network of 23cm repeaters. 23cm repeaters are often under utilised, due to challenges of coverage, equipment cost and availability. Unfortunately, the Australian amateur regulations also make it prohibitively complex for 23cm repeaters to join the mainstream Internet connected networks (EchoLink, IRLP, AllStar), due to the fact that 23cm access requires Standard or Advanced grade of licence, and as a result, Foundation operators are not allowed to be retransmitted onto 23cm, while the mainstream networks are linked to 2m and 70cm, where Foundation amateurs can operate.
Why 1294?
Talkgroup 1294 is named after the Australian 23cm FM calling frequency (1294 MHz)., which is immediately above the FM repeater inputs in the band plan. Other numbers were considered, such as 1296 (a common alternative name for the band, and the SSB segment), or 1273/1293 (these alternatives represent the repeater outputs and inputs respectively). However, I figured that the talkgroup could become an alternative place to put out calls on 23cm, and being FM, 1294 was the most appropriate number to use.
How do I connect my 23cm FM repeater to Talkgroup 1294?
First, you need a PC running Linux, which can be connected either directly (hardwired) or indirectly (via RF links) to the repeater controller, and is connected to the Internet. No port forwarding is necessary. Next, install a recent version of SvxLink on the PC. It must be able to support the newer V2 reflector protocol, which includes talkgroups. You will also need a login (use your repeater's or link's callsign) and password to link your system to the reflector. Contact me, Tony VK3JED, via email (I'm current on QRZ), or use the contact form on this site, to request your login details.
Configuring SvxLink is somewhat site specific, but at a minimum, you will need a RepeaterLogic (for repeaters) or SimplexLogic (for simplex links) to control the RF side, and a ReflectorLogic to communicate with the reflector. Connection details will be provided when your application is approved. You will also need a Link, to enable the RF system to be bridged to the reflector connection inside SvxLink. Some systems may use other components of the SvxLink suite, such as remotetrx (useful for IP or RF links to the RF hardware onsite). Some systems may also require tweaking of the RepeaterLogic Tcl scripts to suit their site (I have had to remove the courtesy tone and ID in some setups). Check the SvxLink documentation for further details on configuration. I have some "link friendly" Tcl scripts that I've used for internal (non RF) links.
I'm outside Australia, can I link my 23cm system?
At this time, there's no set policy on non Australian 23cm systems joining Talkgroup 1294. New Zealand systems will be given similar consideration as Australian systems, as we are in the same region. Systems from other countries will be considered on a case by case basis at this time. As the network is very new, I'd like to see a VK/ZL presence established, before getting a lot of international stations on board.
Can I link my non 23cm repeater?
In most cases no. 2m and 70cm repeaters will definitely not be permitted to join - there's already many global networks for these systems to be a part of. 6m, especially Australian 6m repeaters may be considered on a case by case basis, because there's no difference in the licence classes allowed to use 6m and 23cm in Australia, and 6m would offer some interesting DX to the network.
Can I join from my PC/phone?
Not yet, but listen only access via the web for all is planned, via a special instance of hUC. Transmit privileges can be provided to individual Amateurs using this system. You will need to request a username and password and provide evidence of your Amateur qualification (Certificate of Proficiency), which must be either Standard or Advanced. You will also need to provide your callsign, which will be your login name. Because of the administrative overheads, I will only provide transmit access to Australian amateurs at this stage. Equipment needed for web access is a modern web browser on a supported device (Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android). CA certified SSL certificates are used, to ensure smooth operation.
Future Considerations
The Australian Amateur Radio regulations are about to undergo major changes, starting in 2024, with the introduction of the Class Licence for non assigned Amateur stations. Changes to the repeater regulations are flagged for some time later. These changes may relax the rules governing the retransmissions of Amateur stations, which may allow 23cm repeaters to join the mainstream networks in the future. However, in the event this change occurs, Talkgroup 1294 can still serve as a default connection for 23cm systems, while the use of ModuleEchoLink can facilitate connections to EchoLink stations, and AllStar would be possible using the USRP fork of SvxLink with an AllStar node.
These regulatory changes may in turn lead to changes in the policies of Talkgroup 1294. The basic aims of Talkgroup 1294 are to stimulate activity on under utilised 23cm repeaters, while enabling repeater and link owners to easily comply with Amateur regulations of the day. When regulations change, policies may be changed in accordance with both the changes and the wishes of the user community.
