AllStarLink: Connecting Arkansas Amateur Radio for Emergency Communications
Lawrence County Amateur Radio Club Explores New Opportunities for Statewide Communications
Amateur radio has always played an important role in emergency communications, particularly during severe weather, natural disasters, and other situations when reliable communications are essential.
Today, a technology known as AllStarLink is helping bring amateur radio operators, repeaters, and communities together across Arkansas.
The Lawrence County Amateur Radio Club (LCARC), W5WRA, would like to introduce our members and fellow amateur radio operators to AllStarLink, explain how it is being used by Arkansas AUXCOMM and SKYWARN, and discuss the possibility of bringing this technology to our own UHF repeater.
We are also interested in hearing what our members and other local amateur radio operators think about this possibility.
What Is AllStarLink?
AllStarLink is a worldwide network of amateur radio stations and repeaters connected through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.
In simple terms, AllStarLink allows amateur radio repeaters in different locations to communicate with one another using internet connections.
For example, an amateur radio operator in Lawrence County could transmit through a local AllStarLink-connected repeater and be heard by operators using connected repeaters in Little Rock, Jonesboro, Fort Smith, or elsewhere in Arkansas.
Although the repeaters are linked through the internet, local operators continue using their regular amateur radio equipment, including handheld and mobile radios.
AllStarLink allows participating repeaters to be connected into regional, statewide, national, and even international networks.
The system uses open-source software and can operate on relatively inexpensive hardware, including Raspberry Pi computers.
Unlike some other linking technologies, AllStarLink provides considerable flexibility in how repeaters are connected, disconnected, and managed.
Why Arkansas AUXCOMM Is Using AllStarLink
Arkansas AUXCOMM (Auxiliary Communications) has been working to improve statewide amateur radio communications, particularly during severe weather and other emergencies.
AllStarLink has been selected as an important tool in that effort.
The system offers several advantages:
· Statewide connectivity: Repeaters throughout Arkansas can be linked together, allowing operators in different regions to communicate.
· Improved audio quality: Digital linking can provide clearer communications without the lightning crashes and atmospheric interference often encountered on HF frequencies.
· Flexible network control: Individual repeaters, regional groups, or the entire statewide network can be connected or disconnected as needed.
· Affordable equipment: AllStarLink can be implemented using relatively inexpensive hardware and existing amateur radio repeaters.
· Emergency coordination: Net control responsibilities can be transferred between operators in different parts of the state.
· Local repeater control: Repeater owners and trustees can maintain control over their equipment and disconnect from the network when necessary.
· Automated operations: Scripts can be used to connect individual repeaters, sections of the state, or the statewide network when needed.
One important advantage is the ability to connect only those repeaters needed for a particular situation.
For example, severe weather entering Northwest Arkansas may initially involve repeaters in that region. As storms move across the state, additional repeaters can be connected to provide communications coverage.
Of course, AllStarLink is not intended to replace traditional amateur radio communications. Internet-linked connections depend on network infrastructure, which can be disrupted during disasters.
However, as Arkansas ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator J.M. Row, N5XFW, has pointed out, AllStarLink is another tool in our communications toolbox.
Arkansas AUXCOMM SKYWARN Demonstrates the Potential of AllStarLink
In an announcement shared by J.M. Row, N5XFW, Arkansas Emergency Coordinator, he described the successful use of AllStarLink during a major statewide severe weather operation on May 19.
According to Row, the Arkansas AUXCOMM SKYWARN net generated an impressive 539 hours of combined operator participation.
The net began in Northwest Arkansas as severe thunderstorms entered the state and continued until the storms moved beyond the eastern coverage area.
During the operation, net control responsibilities were transferred between operators when lightning strikes and dangerous weather conditions required controllers to seek shelter.
Weather reports were relayed to three National Weather Service offices:
· Tulsa, Oklahoma
· Little Rock, Arkansas
· Memphis, Tennessee
Row noted that, to the best of his knowledge, this was the first statewide SKYWARN net conducted without relying on HF communications.
Traditionally, statewide HF weather nets could be difficult to operate because of lightning crashes, atmospheric noise, and changing propagation conditions.
Using interconnected VHF and UHF repeaters helped overcome many of those problems while allowing amateur radio operators across Arkansas to participate.
The operation demonstrated how AllStarLink can support coordinated communications during severe weather and provide a valuable resource for the amateur radio community.
Arkansas AUXCOMM AllStarLink Hub — Node 65017
Arkansas AUXCOMM has established AllStarLink node 65017 as a connection point for statewide communications activities.
According to Row, this node is sponsored by the Arkansas AUXCOMM group, helping keep the system focused on emergency communications and public service rather than individual or club interests.
Participating repeaters and personal AllStarLink nodes can connect to this hub when appropriate for nets, training exercises, and emergency communications operations.
Arkansas AUXCOMM Monthly Net
Arkansas AUXCOMM has announced a monthly net designed to help operators become familiar with AllStarLink, develop net control skills, test equipment, and identify areas where improvements may be needed.
Announced net information:
· Schedule: Third Tuesday of each month
· Time: 6:30 PM Central Time
· AllStarLink node: 65017
· Net: Arkansas AUXCOMM Net
· Check-in management: Ham.Live
The Ham.Live system is being utilized to help track participation and manage check-ins. Operators should look for the AUXCOMM SKYWARN net.
Participants should confirm current net details and connection instructions before joining.
These regular activities provide an opportunity for amateur radio operators to become familiar with the system before it is needed during an actual emergency.
What Does This Mean for Lawrence County and Northeast Arkansas?
For amateur radio operators in Lawrence County and throughout Northeast Arkansas, AllStarLink presents an opportunity to become part of a much larger communications network.
During severe weather, reports from local storm spotters could be relayed through connected repeaters to operators and emergency communications personnel across the state.
This is particularly valuable in Arkansas, where severe thunderstorms and tornadoes frequently travel across multiple counties and National Weather Service warning areas.
AllStarLink can also provide opportunities for operators to participate in statewide nets, emergency communications training, equipment testing, and other amateur radio activities.
It could help strengthen communications between local amateur radio clubs while providing another way for operators in Northeast Arkansas to assist during emergencies.
LCARC Considering AllStarLink for Our UHF Repeater — We Want Your Input!
The Lawrence County Amateur Radio Club (LCARC) is currently considering connecting our existing UHF repeater to the AllStarLink network.
This would allow our local repeater to communicate with other AllStarLink-connected repeaters throughout Arkansas and beyond.
It could also provide an opportunity for our club to participate in the growing Arkansas AUXCOMM network, including statewide SKYWARN nets, emergency communications exercises, and other amateur radio activities.
Connecting our UHF repeater to AllStarLink could offer several benefits:
· Allow local amateur radio operators to communicate with other AllStarLink-connected repeaters across Arkansas and beyond.
· Provide access to statewide AUXCOMM and SKYWARN communications activities when connected to the appropriate network.
· Give club members additional opportunities to participate in emergency communications training and exercises.
· Expand the usefulness of our existing UHF repeater.
· Encourage more activity and participation among local amateur radio operators.
· Help strengthen communications between Lawrence County and other amateur radio organizations throughout the state.
We also recognize that there are considerations involving equipment, internet connectivity, repeater operation, maintenance, and how the system would best serve our members.
It is important that any changes to our repeater system benefit the club and the amateur radio community while preserving reliable local communications.
At this time, no final decision has been made. We are exploring the idea, and we want to hear from you!
What Do You Think?
Would you support connecting the LCARC UHF repeater to AllStarLink?
Do you believe it would be a valuable addition to our club’s communications capabilities?
Would you be interested in participating in statewide nets or communicating with other AllStarLink-connected repeaters?
Do you have any concerns about connecting our repeater to an internet-linked network?
We encourage all club members and local amateur radio operators to share their opinions, questions, and suggestions.
Whether you support the idea, have reservations, or simply want to learn more, your input is important and will help us determine whether this is something the club should pursue.
We would like to hear from as many members as possible before moving forward.
NEA Link System Expanded
NEA Link System Expansion Reaches Dell, Arkansas
The Lawrence County Amateur Radio Club (LCARC) and the Northeast Arkansas (NEA) Link System are pleased to announce the addition of a new linked repeater in Dell, Arkansas, located in Mississippi County near Blytheville.
A special thank you goes to Steve Crossknoe (N5EQW) and Ray Maynard (N0LGR) for their hard work, dedication, and patience in getting this repeater installed and operational. While a few adjustments and fine-tuning may still be needed, the system is currently up and running and providing reliable communications.
The Dell repeater operates on:
- Frequency: 444.650 MHz
- PL Tone: 186.2 Hz
This repeater is now linked to the Pocahontas repeater and the rest of the repeaters throughout the NEA Link System, significantly expanding coverage across Northeast Arkansas, as well as portions of Southeast Missouri and West Tennessee.
We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of the repeater owners and volunteers who continue to maintain and support the linked system. Their ongoing efforts help ensure dependable amateur radio communications throughout the region.
Thank you to everyone involved in making this expansion possible. 73!
Welcome to the Lawrence County Amateur Radio Club (L.C.A.R.C.).
Our club callsign is W5WRA.
Our clubhouse is located in the BRTC Fire Training Academy building by the Walnut Ridge Regional Airport at 114 Wilson Drive, Walnut Ridge, AR.
Our repeaters are located in Imboden, AR.
Our meetings and local VHF nets are open to all wishing to participate. – 73
Mission Statement
The Lawrence County Amateur Radio Club, Inc. is dedicated to promoting and advancing amateur radio through honorable service, integrity, and adherence to the Amateur Radio Code of Ethics. Our mission is to foster education, technical excellence, and fellowship among amateur radio operators while providing guidance and support to those interested in the amateur radio hobby.
We are committed to serving our community by maintaining reliable communications capabilities and standing ready to assist local and state agencies during emergencies, disasters, and public service events when called upon. Through training, preparedness, and cooperation, we strive to ensure that dependable communications are available when they are needed most.
Our goal is to preserve and promote the traditions of amateur radio while encouraging innovation, public service, and the development of future generations of amateur radio operators.
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