Quick back ground, I have had a 440mhz ham repeater on the air in Atlanta for a number of years, it's a personal repeater that a few of my friends use. I'm thinking about updating/upgrading it. *and* I have some motivation to *link* in someway to repeaters in Utah as my brother just got his license. Today, the easy repeater for him to use are already always linked to the IRLP Western Reflector.
Lastly, I'm interested in playing with some of the ROIP technologies that exist... Specifically the AllStar Link network, and *maybe* EchoLink.... I have internet at the repeater location. BTW, this is a wide coverage area repeater.
So.... I'm wondering as I look at upgrading, should I consider going to the Hybrid technologies, Either the NexEdge or IDas stuff from either Kenwood or Icom?
I know that either, to take advantage of the digital modes will require new end user equipment. So I'd like the flexibility to run in the standard 25khz analog mode, and digital.
I guess the real question that I"m struggling with is should I talk the plunge? And while I don't want to spend 5K to do so, I'm not opposed to the 2K range for repeater/controller, etc.
Figured I'd ask some of the guys in the know and get their opinion?
thanks in advance, hope you can help steer this ship
Alan
Lastly, I'm interested in playing with some of the ROIP technologies that exist... Specifically the AllStar Link network, and *maybe* EchoLink.... I have internet at the repeater location. BTW, this is a wide coverage area repeater.
So.... I'm wondering as I look at upgrading, should I consider going to the Hybrid technologies, Either the NexEdge or IDas stuff from either Kenwood or Icom?
I know that either, to take advantage of the digital modes will require new end user equipment. So I'd like the flexibility to run in the standard 25khz analog mode, and digital.
I guess the real question that I"m struggling with is should I talk the plunge? And while I don't want to spend 5K to do so, I'm not opposed to the 2K range for repeater/controller, etc.
Figured I'd ask some of the guys in the know and get their opinion?
thanks in advance, hope you can help steer this ship
Alan