Link Communications introduces a new addition to its repeater controller
family. The RLC Digital Controller (yet to be named) builds upon the proven
RLC-3 and RLC-Club designs, while providing advanced features that aren't
available in any other product. There are some things that we can already tell
you about the design, some things that we haven't settled on yet, and some
things we won't talk about until later :) We are looking for input to ensure
that the new system includes the features that are most important to you, our
customers.
Among the features that we can talk about:
The audio path will be digital (48K samples/second, better than CD quality).
This will allow many features to be implemented without additional hardware
(digital audio delay, voice recording/storage,squelch, etc) and without any
loss of audio quality.
Voice library can be easily updated or extended using standard .wav files.
New Windows (tm) control software will make reconfiguring things on the fly
simple, and will provide real-time status, indicating exactly what is going on
at each moment.
Improved firmware will retain the flexibility of the RLC-3 and RLC-Club
series of controllers while making advanced features easier to use. Some of
the improvements may also show up in a firmware update for those controllers.
Modular design will allow easy expansion in increments of four ports (4, 8,
12...).
Integrated Ethernet network interface will enable remote management (which
can be done over the serial port as well), as well as VoIP/RoIP (Voice/Radio
Over IP), over the Internet or a private network. Of course the controller
will work without a network connection, but those features won't be available.
Some of the features we could use feedback about include:
A good name for the new controller.
Type of front-panel display you prefer: LEDs for each signal (similar to
current controllers), or an interactive LCD display? Remember that a computer
running the new management software will provide real-time status too.
Frequency-controllable remote base radios:
What brand and model of remote base radio you are most likely to use
(Icom IC-706, Yaesu FT-900, Kenwood TS-440...)?
How many serial ports are needed? Typically each remote base radio needs
a serial port for control.
Is it worth adding dedicated 1/8" connectors for Icom CI-V radios such as
the IC-706/7000, or is it better to just use pins on the DB-9 radio port
connectors for the serial signals?
Desired use for VoIP/RoIP features:
Monitoring the repeater from a computer running the management software.
Point to point links between radio sites (replacing RF links or linking
sites that weren't close enough to link with RF).
Interfacing to other VoIP/RoIP networks. If you would use this feature,
which systems would you want to interface with (IRLP, Echolink, D-Star...)?
These interfaces would probably be options.
Number/type of I/O lines for site telemetry (remember that these require
hardware and therefore affect production cost).
Audio adjustments: Should the major transmitter and receiver level
adjustments be made with physical pots or software-controlled pots?
The advantage of physical pots is that you can just grab a screwdriver
and adjust them without having to go though some kind of user interface (minor
level tweaks would still be possible through software).
The advantage of software-controlled pots is that you can make even major
level adjustments remotely.
If the physical pots were accessible without opening the case would it
change your answer?
Things we aren't talking about yet :)
Subaudible tone (PL/DPL)
Price
Release date (stop and see us at the Dayton Hamvention for more, hint,
hint...)
If you have thoughts, ideas, questions, or want updated information, see
http://digitalrlc.link-comm.com. We will try to keep that web page up to date
with any new information and with answers to your questions (at least to the
ones we are willing to talk about :).
Allan Overcast KF7FW
Link Communications, Inc.
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