| Reflectors are set up to only
allow ONE person to talk at any given time. Unlike repeaters, the
reflector will NOT mix audio but instead will allow the first
person who talks to continue talking until they are finished. So
there is no point in trying to talk overtop of another node, as
you will not be heard. Keep this in mind while using
reflectors that due to the delay in the system, you should always
leave about 2 seconds between transmissions to ensure that any
priority traffic has the chance to talk. Also, if you are not
getting through, don’t continue to try every transmission, but
instead try to wait for a natural break in the conversation.
1. As above, listen to the local
machine and then announce your intention to connect to another
node before keying the link on command.
2. After hearing the voice ID
confirming the connection is established, be sure to listen at
least 15 seconds as:
- You are most likely now
connected with many repeaters and a QSO could be in progress.
- The voice ID of your node is
longer than the voice ID of their node, and the connection is
not made until the ID is fully played.
- Their computer may be slower,
and hence take longer to process the connection than yours.
3. If after 15 seconds you hear
nothing, identify yourself and indicate you are listening to the
Reflector from "City and State". With the world-wide
IRLP activity the repeater now has world wide coverage thus the
suggestion to better detail your QTH.
4. Don't be in a hurry to hear
someone come back to you. You may have to do a bit of
pleading from time to time to un-lodge someone from whatever they
are currently doing. It is not unusual for repeaters with minimal
traffic to stay connected to the Reflector for extended periods of
time.
Out of courtesy to others who may
want to use the reflector, please do not engage in a prolonged
rag-chew (move ragchews to node-to-node connections).
Participating in Reflector
Roundtables
Roundtables are conversations involving more than 2 parties.
Unlike a net a roundtable requires some organization to keep the
conversation thread passing in an orderly fashion from party to
party. Do not become intimidated if a group grows and,
if mobile, do not be overly concerned if you are unable to
remember all or any callsigns. Just try and remember the
call and or name of the next station that you pass it to. If
you are listening and wish to break into a conversation, let a
cycle go by so you know the participating station are then
announce your callsign during one of the "pauses". You
should be recognized and then when finished with your transmission
be sure to specify who you are turning it over to. If you do
not specify a station to pick up the connection chaos will result
as 2 or more stations may try to talk at once.
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