VU2GMM, India's only with Internet Radio Link capability
TUSHAR GUPTA
Submitted by: Gopal Madhavan, VU2GMN - Madras India
November 19, 2002
I was exposed to IRLP in Brisbane Australia where I had gone with the XYL Prasanna (VU2PXN). I obtained reciprocal license within hours of reaching there-VK4DKV and was monitoring the 2-meter nets when I heard DX stations working. I broke in and asked how this was happening and was brought up to date on IRLP.
We were leaving for Melbourne and so was introduced to Tony Langdon, VK3JED, who very kindly arranged to collect me from my hosts and took me to his home for dinner and a treatise on IRLP. I was so impressed that I decided to set up a node here in Madras, India.
Tony again helped me get the hardware from Peter Illmayer .VK2YX -and both of them helped me- a total neophyte with Linux- to set up the system.
I initially worked with a cable connection and just as it started working, the ISP went belly up and I was left in the lurch and all the money spent on a static IP went up in smoke.
The DSL connection which I also had did not support Linux-at least the USB modem that I had and would have involved an upgrade to a Te4 modem which is horrible expensive here.
With no other alternative, I am now using a WIN_XP box to access the internet via the USB modem, and the Linux box is connected via a twisted cable. The only hassle is that I need to keep two systems running to operate IRLP.
The experience has been great and I have been talking to many hams all over the world, some of them rock climbing, cycling or mobile in various forms, on this new exciting mode. Connecting to a reflector and being able to speak with stations from great distances via VHF is simply great!
I am hoping to propagate the mode to other cities in India as soon as possible.
Gopal Madhavan VU2GMN, Madras India
73
Tushar Gupta
+91-8880620180 (Bangalore)
