GOLDEN RULES OF USING WiRES X - PLEASE OBSERVE - THANK YOU
1 CONNECT TO A ROOM - ANNOUNCE YOUR CALLSIGN
2 LEAVE GAPS BETWEEN OVERS - at least 4 seconds
3 DISCONNECT FROM ROOM WHEN YOUR QSO IS OVER
PLEASE always DISCONNECT, see item below *
Please use Wires X responsibly and enjoy, its great fun. But remember that there are always other local users listening, taking note and learning and who may want to use the repeater for a local contact or call a particular amateur friend.
Shorter Wires X operating sessions are to be preferred and always be aware of over breaks, (4 seconds minimum, recommended) when someone else may be trying to call in. Indeed, make an announcement occasionally, explaining this to listeners 'on the side'. No-one should feel 'intimidated' and reluctant to 'call in' when there is 'DX' activity in progress, PLEASE call in and with your callsign join in the fun.
Think about leaving the repeater dormant for a 'cool down' and return for another session later. Mobile, portable and very low power stations, have priority over fixed stations. Maintaining a friendly repeater operating experience for everyone is top priority and for the long term enjoyment of us all.
With mutual respect and co-operation we remain a harmonious community on GB3SP, The 'Gentleman's Repeater'.
Thank you.
WIRES X 'System Fusion' is now well established digital technology and internet linked amateur radio communications.
The original method of setting up a Wires X node at home station was by using the above 'Internet Linking Kit' which comprised the HRI-200 box, plus a dedicated link radio such as the FTM-100D a laptop or PC, plus an internet connection.
However, there is now the alternative method of using Wires X with a Personal Digital Node (PDN) of which there is much information online and many good video tutorials. No HRI-200 is necessary and most Fusion equipment comes with the necessary firmware pre installed.
To use Wires X via GB3SP over the air only requires a 'Fusion' radio such as FTM-400XD or FT3 for example and other models will do the same. There are a few points that need to be understood to enable users of GB3SP to enjoy the facility and to ensure that all other users whether they prefer using FM or digital voice should co-exist in harmony.
FM analogue users only
Please note, that a digital voice (DV) station using Wires X linking from a 'DX' location, may call through the repeater and cause disruption to your FM only QSO. This does happen occasionally and you should be aware that the DV station will be completely unaware that a QSO in FM is in progress locally, indeed they may well be thousands of miles away. It would be a good idea, if at least one station in the QSO has a dual mode radio and in that way, he/she could go back to the Wires X connected station and explain to them that a QSO is ongoing and politely request that they hold on for a short while, whilst you finish your FM QSO. If all stations in the QSO are dual mode equipped, then you might suggest a transfer to DV all round. Do not feel that you have to give way to the DV station, its all about mutual respect for each other and ensuring that everyone knows whats happening. In the fullness of time we will all realise the advantage of having dual mode capability.
It is recommended that FM only users of GB3SP activate both CTCSS 94.8 Hz encode and decode on their radios.This will ensure access to the repeater and also eliminate the digital ‘noise’ that is transmitted from the repeater when it is being used in C4FM DV mode or digital voice. Close attention to the squelch display (green light) and the S meter will indicate when a station has passed transmission over or finished a QSO. These breaks are an opportunity for an FM only station to call in and make their presence known with their call sign. The digital stations should then either invite the FM station to join in and change their mode or if using Wires X to standby until they have completed their QSO. Unless, of course the FM calling in for an emergency situation and thus assistance.
C4FM Digital voice users
It is preferable that DV users ensure they can hear concurrently, both analogue FM and digital C4FM through the repeater either by means of using the AMS function (Automatic Mode Select) or dual memory operation. If an FM only station is heard during a transmission break then they should be acknowledged and advised what to do as in the above paragraph. Should they wish to use the repeater for normal non emergency use then they should be advised to wait for QSO completion and with indication that they will not have to wait long. A common sense attitude to these events is to be expected in order to ensure mutual harmony and respect.GB3SP has always enjoyed first class operating and common courtesy a situation to be praised and anything else will not be tolerated in the interests of the hobby. We are all responsible for ‘policing’ our privileges and spectrum.
Connecting to Wires X via GB3SP
Please NOTE – the Wires X internet linking system is NOT available at all times of the day due to a requirement that it is attended operation for the repeater node. If you are unable to activate the system then try again later in the day To take control of the GB3SP node and thus access to the worldwide network of Nodes, Repeaters and Rooms, you have to press the DX button on your radio. Your equipment manual will explain whether this needs to be a short or long press, there are subtle operational differences between the Yaesu digital C4FM radio models Your radio will transmit data to the repeater and then via the local RF linked node and after a second or so the repeater will transmit back to your radio and the Wires X link is initiated. At that time your radio will respond and display the Wires X logo and confirm that are connected to the GB3SP Room. Again different models will display in various forms. From this point you are in control and can use the search functions to look for a particular Room, Repeater or Node and when identified you can make a connection and listen for a short time before putting out a call. Remember, that your activity will also be heard locally through the repeater itself. You can store your favourite nodes and Rooms for ease of connection at a later date. Disconnecting from Wires X is ESSENTIAL !
* DISCONNECTING !
Please do NOT forget to disconnect from Wiires X when you have completed your QSO, as other local stations may be waiting to use the repeater. This is by pressing and holding the BAND BUTTON or the ASTERISK/STAR KEY on the MH48 microphone.
It is a bad practise to leave the GB3SP node connected to a remote Room, and cause unwanted radio traffic to cause disruption and also to tie up GB3SP for periods of time with remote activity that suppresses local use. The Wires X linking to another country with much radio activity, may seem good to listen to but it is very anti social use of the repeater, as effectively, a personal remote receiving station and which can cause annoyance for our regular and long standing local users and supporters. This service has been provided to be used responsibly and is great fun, but never forget there are others listening and who may just want to call in from their low power portable station or from their vehicle as it is rapidly moving out of the repeater coverage area.
Timeout
Please be aware of the Wires X node time out of 3 minutes and which is a default period after which your transmission through the Wires X network will be cut off. This is, as all repeater time out systems have been since early days, is to ensure that other users can have a turn on the radio. It is suggested that you set the internal timer in your radio to say just less than 3 minutes to give an audible warning before dropping out. If you do not stop transmitting the repeater itself will continue to relay your transmission for a little longer until it is that it times out as well. You will be heard locally only.
Always leave a PAUSE !
It is accepted good manners, that you always leave a pause between transmissions, in order that another user can have an opportunity to make themselves known and maybe they want to call someone not in the current QSO. This applies in all circumstances whether using Wires X or not.
However, when using the Wires X network a pause of at least 4 seconds is recommended as it allows other users to disconnect from Nodes, repeaters and Rooms as necessary.
And finally, please be aware of a peculiarity in operation when in FM mode and in relation to the repeater beacon ID. Do not transmit if you hear the beacon callsign ID being transmitted and which is set to repeat every 15 minutes whilst the repeater is in active use. If you do, the repeater will drop out and not relay your transmission until you drop PTT, when the repeater will resume normal operation. This is not a problem for an in progress QSO and where the beacon comes on during someone already talking through the repeater, the beacon ID will be heard in the background by the other stations in the QSO.
This IS NOT A FAULT according to Yaesu UK, its simply a FEATURE of the DR1XE repeater and we have to work around it, but which does not cause too much of a problem so long as we are aware of 'the quirk' .
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last update 18.04.21 mas