Zello Network Radio connection to the Southern Ireland Repeater Network

There has been a lot of interest of late in 'Network Radio' and the most popular app for this is probably Zello. (See previous post)

In the last few days, the Southern Ireland Repeater Network has been connected to the Zello network. In effect, this allows people to access the repeater network over the internet.

From my understanding of it, anyone can listen to the SIRN on Zello but only licenced radio amateurs are allowed to gain access.

Here is some info from one of the repeater group moderators...

Hi all, I’m delighted to announce that the Southern Ireland Repeater Network now has a Zello gateway. This is a very comprehensive network which covers most of the country with VHF, UHF, 4m, and also has a DMR link.

Please visit our pages for all the info and we welcome all licensed amateurs and listeners.

The same moderator structure as used in network radio is in place just add as a friend and you will be trusted as a friend and have full access to most of EI on RF! As these are RF amateur repeaters it will be obviously for licensed holders only though non licensed operators can listen.

I believe this will be one of the first Repeater network gateways to be accessed through the Zello network and we’re very excited to be able to provide this facility which will enhance more activity.
Thank you very much de John EI2HW.

https://sirnrepeaters.blogspot.ie/

https://zello.com/channels/k/e8Tb1

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SIRN Activity... The Southern Ireland Repeater Network covers roughly half the island of Ireland and consists of two repeaters on 2m and five on 70cms. It is also connected to the DMR network on TG27240.

The repeater network can be pretty quiet considering the number of repeaters on the network. The busiest period is usually on Tuesday evenings when the IRTS news is read out at 9:30pm local time.

The EI activity evenings on 2m and 70cms are on the first two Tuesdays of every month and it's worth having a listen then as well.

If you are calling in via Zello then be sure to give your callsign and call more than once if you get no answer at first. A number of people may well be monitoring or scanning and may not hear you first time around.

Zello to Zello.... Just remember that if you do access the network via Zello then you are tying up a whole RF repeater network. If the person you are talking to is also on Zello then that conversation can be held on Zello instead.

Remember that it is not just another Zello channel, it's a means of accessing a repeater network in Ireland from the Zello network.

Getting on Zello.... It's very easy to get started on Zello. If you have a smartphone or tablet then just download the app for free and then set up a Zello account. To get on the Southern Ireland Repeater Network, just go to the this page.. https://zello.com/channels/k/e8Tb1 or scan the QR code that is shown there.

SIRN Coverage... A map showing the RF coverage of the Southern Ireland Repeater Network can be seen below...

A quick look at network radios...

What is radio? As time goes by, the fine line between what can be called 'radio' and what is the internet is becoming increasing blurred.

I was on the 70cms band today using the Echolink gateway about 10 miles to the north in Watergrasshill and I spoke to Brian GM7JDS in Scotland who was using an Inrico TM-7...a so called 'Network Radio'.

A network radio is essentially a mobile phone that is made to look and behave like a radio. It can have the same appearance and some like the Inrico TM-7 have a traditional microphone which might be found on a mobile rig. It uses the Android operating system, behaves like any smartphone and can be used through wi-fi as well.

But is it 'radio' as opposed to 'a radio'? Is it 'radio' if someone at the other end is actually using a real radio with RF going out over the airwaves? What if someone is using say a DMR radio into a local hotspot in their own house, is that any more 'real radio' than this?

At first glance, a network radio isn't a radio... or at least not a traditional radio. But if it allows you access to various repeaters around the world, is it not just a remote access for a radio? If it looks like a radio and behaves like a radio, is it a radio? Many people will have different opinions.

Some of the purists may well dismiss this as not real radio but it could be the perfect solution for someone with antenna restrictions or living in an apartment complex.

From my own point of view, anything that results in some activity on an amateur band somewhere can only be a positive thing.

There is an explanation on network radios below...