GB3MH

How to use GB3MH (svxlink Repeater) and Echolink

Repeater Dashboard:  gb3mh.ddns.net:82

SVXlink Portal: http://portal.svxlink.uk:81/

Kerchunker filter: This is set so to reduce the PTT keyers.  For the repeater to go into TX you need to transmit a 4 second carrier before it will open.

GB3MH now uses voice announcements: On the hour time and general voice announcements.

Abuse mode: which can be activated by those on the ETTC shutdown list on the NOV.

After the K tone: you have 7 seconds of carrier with 2 pips in the dead space before the callsign  in MORSE is announced then the TX deactivates.

Operational use: At the top of the hour you get the long identification with the time announcement. Then every 15 minutes you get the short identification which is CW. You will get all the notifications whether or not there is a QSO. 

If there is a repeater carried transmission then the announcement output is reduced by 15dB below that of the Voice transmissions carried on the repeater.  So if there is an announcement in progress anyone beginning to speak will immediately reduce the output (mixed output) of the announcement.

Echolink: This has improved audio. This mode can be activated by the Echolink phone app/PC installed software application or via your hand portable (RF) radio.  The DTMF command is 2# then the Echolink node number and #.

For example, to link to GB3BH-R in Bexhill its node number is 113269, The link numbers for other repeater around the UK and World, can be found at https://echolink.org/logins.jsp

DTMF 2#

DTMF 113269#

Or if you are nimble fingered – send it all at once 2#113269#

You will then be connected to GB3BH-R

To disconnect from the Bexhill repeater DTMF # then DTMF # to disconnect the Echolink module.

How do the talk groups work?

In the example below this shows a connection to a Talkgroup via the SVXLink network

From the example a user initiates a connect by DTMF with an RF transmission then pressing the DTMF codes 91235#.

91 advises the unit that a Talk Group Follows, and the # is the end character.

The local unit activates Talk Group 235, and announces this by voice.

Their next transmission will dynamically connect the unit to the svxreflector.

The svxreflector initiates a connect call to all connected repeaters and nodes that have 235 in the TG Monitor List, and their voice can be heard across all the Nodes.

As in the world of DMR, if a contact is made, then a QSY can be initiated to another Talk Group, so that only two nodes remain connected, leaving the rest of the network can be left free.

A QSY is simply a DTMF call 91- Next Talk Group #, that anyone can follow by DTMF 93#

Repeaters in different regions can have a regional Talk Group assigned.

There is no limit to the extent the network can go. At this time there is a link to the Swedish Network and into Germany. There are live links also to various Allstar link nodes.

Dial codes via a handportable

Parrot – This is a facility available for a user to test their own audio. By Transmitting 1# by DTMF, the Parrot module is activated and will repeat back all transmissions, until a second # is sent or the module achieves time-out due to inactivity.

EchoLink – This is the Linux version of EchoLink, that is activated by DTMF 2#. An EchoLink node is called by the sending of the number followed by #. The EchoLink Voice test for example is 9999# where one can again test the transmitted audio. The exit from the module and connected node is by DTMF ##

Metar Infomation – This module if installed can transmit the current weather from a selected airport or one of a number airports configured, just for local interest. Activated by 5#

All Talk Group information is preceded by 9. A list of Available code is available.

Macros - That are called by DTMF, for example D1#, but behind the scenes, this transmission generates a longer sequence within the program to call a talk group or other function. For example D1# may be sending 9123561# that takes longer and open to errors and dropped PTT whilst pushing buttons.

GB3MH has the following short dial codes as below:

D1# connects to talkgroup 235

D2# connects to talkgroup 53573

D3# connects to talkgroup 23510

D5# is METAR data for Gatwick Airport

D61# connects to talkgroup 23561

D7# disconnects from a talkgroup

D8# connects to Echolink test server,  audio talk back test

UK SVXLINK Network and its relationships