Why link reflectors?
Dec 16, 2017 15:04:14 GMT -8
Post by K6KD on Dec 16, 2017 15:04:14 GMT -8
The question comes up from time to time, so I put together some information on the topic. X Reflectors, unlike D-Plus (REF) reflectors, have the capability to link. Some reasons to do so:
1) Reflector linking provides a quick and efficiently way to join groups of repeaters and hot spots for specific events. A few years ago, one of the Constellation reflectors brought different nets to a group of repeaters that at other times were to be connected only among themselves. Scripts within the reflector automatically linked and unlinked at pre-determined times.
The Canada Net (CAN NET) in the past, and probably still, involves joining several reflectors throughout Canada and other areas for the net. Linking reflectors quickly joins all the individual repeaters and hot spots. Following the net, some or all of the reflectors are unlinked.
2) The Constellation consists of 3 XRF reflectors and 1 XLX reflector. The XRF reflectors provide for enhanced connections using DExtra without requiring inbound port forwarding. The XLX reflector adds D-STAR DCS and also DMR support. Joining XLX and XRF reflectors provides the best of both.
3) The Constellation links all reflectors on Module A. Several modules on the other reflectors are not linked. The architecture supports what has started to emerge on the Constellation, that being communities within a larger community. Specifically, certain groups have chosen to make one of the reflectors a home reflector. They are often on Module A of their home reflector, which is linked to other reflectors, but sometimes go to another module on their home reflector. Multiple reflectors with certain modules linked provides this convenience to the community.
4) Related to Item #3 is the use of the Truckers, Travelers, and RVers Net which is on the Constellation. In addition to their use of their net and other traffic on linked Module A, they wanted an alternate spot in case they wanted to engage in long QSOs separate from the linked modules. There is a link between XLX313C / DMR TG 4003 and XRF555C to provide this alternate spot with D-STAR/DMR 4K-Transcoding.
5) Similar to Item #4, another alternative was provided for extended QSOs to use a link between XLX313D / DMR TG 4004 and XRF310D. To provide these 4K-Transcoding capabilities, multiple XRF reflectors are required as an XRF reflector cannot at present establish multiple links to an XLX reflector. XLX313A links to XRF002A, XLX313C links to XRF555C, and XLX313D links to XRF310D. (XLX313B links to the QuadNet System.) As an aside, module cross-linking is possible. For example, Module A on one reflector can be linked to Module D on another reflector. Cross-linking is not done on the Constellation to minimize any possible confusion.
6) On occasion, a host file issue prevents a hot spot from connecting to one of the Constellation reflectors. Having multiple reflectors provides an option until the host file issue is resolved.
1) Reflector linking provides a quick and efficiently way to join groups of repeaters and hot spots for specific events. A few years ago, one of the Constellation reflectors brought different nets to a group of repeaters that at other times were to be connected only among themselves. Scripts within the reflector automatically linked and unlinked at pre-determined times.
The Canada Net (CAN NET) in the past, and probably still, involves joining several reflectors throughout Canada and other areas for the net. Linking reflectors quickly joins all the individual repeaters and hot spots. Following the net, some or all of the reflectors are unlinked.
2) The Constellation consists of 3 XRF reflectors and 1 XLX reflector. The XRF reflectors provide for enhanced connections using DExtra without requiring inbound port forwarding. The XLX reflector adds D-STAR DCS and also DMR support. Joining XLX and XRF reflectors provides the best of both.
3) The Constellation links all reflectors on Module A. Several modules on the other reflectors are not linked. The architecture supports what has started to emerge on the Constellation, that being communities within a larger community. Specifically, certain groups have chosen to make one of the reflectors a home reflector. They are often on Module A of their home reflector, which is linked to other reflectors, but sometimes go to another module on their home reflector. Multiple reflectors with certain modules linked provides this convenience to the community.
4) Related to Item #3 is the use of the Truckers, Travelers, and RVers Net which is on the Constellation. In addition to their use of their net and other traffic on linked Module A, they wanted an alternate spot in case they wanted to engage in long QSOs separate from the linked modules. There is a link between XLX313C / DMR TG 4003 and XRF555C to provide this alternate spot with D-STAR/DMR 4K-Transcoding.
5) Similar to Item #4, another alternative was provided for extended QSOs to use a link between XLX313D / DMR TG 4004 and XRF310D. To provide these 4K-Transcoding capabilities, multiple XRF reflectors are required as an XRF reflector cannot at present establish multiple links to an XLX reflector. XLX313A links to XRF002A, XLX313C links to XRF555C, and XLX313D links to XRF310D. (XLX313B links to the QuadNet System.) As an aside, module cross-linking is possible. For example, Module A on one reflector can be linked to Module D on another reflector. Cross-linking is not done on the Constellation to minimize any possible confusion.
6) On occasion, a host file issue prevents a hot spot from connecting to one of the Constellation reflectors. Having multiple reflectors provides an option until the host file issue is resolved.