Radio over IP
Allstar
About AllStarLink
AllStarLink is a radio over IP (RoIP) system that links repeaters over internet connections. AllStarLink is not a digital radio mode in the commonly used sense - it links analog FM repeaters, allowing them to share audio and control signals over the internet. RAM operates a network of VHF and UHF analog FM repeaters. Each repeater can operate independently of the network; the AllStarLink system is purely for linking them together. RAM is working on installing a D-Star digital repeater at VA4STB once volunteer time permits.
Historically, RAM used dedicated UHF link radios to connect repeaters across the province. Over time, these radios began failing, and replacement became labour-intensive and cost-prohibitive. AllStarLink shifted this linking from dedicated RF to IP-based networking, allowing more flexible, resilient connections.
The AllStarLink network operates as a link layer on top of IP network infrastructure. The underlying IP connectivity comes from three different approaches:
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VA4WAN Direct Connectivity: VA4WAN is RAM’s amateur radio WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider). Most RAM repeater sites use VA4WAN’s wireless network to reach the hub infrastructure. This direct path maintains repeater-to-repeater connectivity even during commercial internet outages.
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Sponsored Internet with Tunneling: For distant sites or locations where VA4WAN wireless backhaul cannot work, RAM partners with local sponsors who provide internet connections. The repeater node tunnels its data back through RAM’s own IP network to the hub, effectively riding on the sponsor’s internet but as part of RAM’s logical network.
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Third-Party Club Systems: Some repeaters are operated by partner clubs on their own independent systems. These nodes are simply configured to link into the AllStarLink hub through standard internet connections, requiring no RAM infrastructure support beyond hub capacity.
The hub infrastructure itself is hosted in a commercial-grade data centre in Winnipeg with direct connections to MBIX (the Manitoba Internet Exchange), providing multiple redundant paths to local ISPs. The colocation, MBIX connectivity, and internet transit are graciously provided by LES.NET. At repeater sites, dedicated node computers handle the AllStarLink backbone networking and, at many locations, also serve as the repeater controller itself. This distributed architecture enables easy remote configuration management, significantly reducing the volunteer time and travel required to maintain and update the network.
The AllStarLink system transmits both audio content (the conversations from repeater users) and command signals (commands that control other linked repeaters - for example, to activate their transmitters) across this IP network infrastructure. This allows users on any linked repeater to be heard and heard by other repeaters in the same hub or linked hubs.
RAM AllStar Network
RAM maintains the RAM AllStar Network, built around three hubs:
- Winnipeg Hub
- Manitoba Hub
- Remote Users Hub
AllStarLink Hubs
RAM operates three hubs to provide normal day-to-day and net operations across the RAM AllStar Network.
Manitoba Hub - Node #478790
The Manitoba Hub hosts RAM repeaters outside Winnipeg, as well as partner-club repeaters coordinated with the RAM Technical Committee.
Winnipeg Hub - Node #478793
The Winnipeg Hub includes four Winnipeg repeaters:
VE4WRS joins the Winnipeg Hub during nets. In normal operation, VE4WRS remains default-connected to the Canada Hub.
Remote Users Hub - Node #478792
This hub is for operators running their own personal nodes. Stations using personal AllStarLink nodes or EchoLink should connect here.
Repeaters that are not coordinated and approved through the RAM Technical Committee should connect to the Remote Users Hub.
The Remote Users Hub is configured not to forward telemetry to the rest of the network, so users can connect and disconnect without unnecessary system-wide traffic.
Default Network Configuration
The Manitoba Hub serves as the central core of the RAM AllStar Network. In normal operation:
- Winnipeg Hub is permanently connected to the Manitoba Hub.
- Remote Users Hub is permanently connected to the Manitoba Hub.
- VE4WRS remains connected to the Canada Hub.
During RAM nets, VE4WRS leaves the Canada Hub and joins the Winnipeg Hub. During the Trans-Canada Net on Sundays, the Manitoba Hub joins the Canada Hub.
Using The System
To use the RAM AllStar Network, simply operate your radio as you would with any analog repeater. AllStarLink is just the interconnection backbone and doesn’t change how you interact with the repeater. Your conversations are automatically shared with linked repeaters based on the current hub configuration.
Courtesy Beeps
Listen to the courtesy beeps after someone else unkeys - they provide helpful information about where transmissions are coming from:
- High-Low beep: The user who just unkeyed is on the same repeater as you (local RF).
- Low-High beep: The user who just unkeyed is on a different repeater (came over the AllStarLink network).
DTMF Commands
AllStarLink operates similarly to repeater networks with traditional controllers. DTMF codes are sent from your radio to the AllStarLink controller. Commands are normally entered on the node you are transmitting through.
*1<node_num> - Disconnect the specified node from the repeater node.
*3<node_num> - Connect the specified node to the repeater node.
*811<node_num> - Permanently disconnect the specified node.
*813<node_num> - Permanently connect to the specified node.
*70 - Report the nodes connected to the repeater.
VE4WRS Manual Linking
VE4WRS is RAM’s designated “exploration” repeater. Users are welcome to disconnect VE4WRS from the Canada Hub and connect it to any AllStarLink node or hub to join other QSOs and nets across the AllStarLink network.
To improve recovery after power or network interruptions, use the permanent command forms:
*811<node_num>for permanent disconnects*813<node_num>for permanent connects
When finished with manual linking, return VE4WRS to the Canada Hub:
*813517301
Please note: We encourage exploration when you intend to actively participate in conversations or check into nets. If you’re interested in listening to activity on other systems, consider using online streaming options or EchoLink, which don’t tie up the repeater for other users.