¶ Introduction
The Who Cares Amateur Radio group has been experimenting with VoIP, specifically adopting Hams Over IP (https://hamsoverip.com) as our group's preferred Ham Radio + VoIP. We use this technology to make phone calls to each other, impromptu conference bridges, and linking into repeaters and our Allstar Hub. We've standardized on the Cisco 525g phone and it's sidecar 500s or the 500 digital side car. (or attendant console)
¶ What is VoIP?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a method of transmitting voice communications over the internet. It allows users to make and receive phone calls using their internet connection instead of a traditional telephone line.
¶ What is SIP?
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is a communication protocol used for setting up and managing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls. It is a request-response protocol, which means that a client (such as a VoIP phone or computer) sends a request to a server (such as a VoIP gateway or server) to initiate a call, and the server responds with the necessary information to complete the call.
SIP is used to establish, modify, and terminate sessions between devices on a network. It is an application-layer protocol, which means that it sits on top of other networking protocols such as TCP/IP and is used to transmit data related to voice and video calls, instant messaging, and presence information.
¶ What is RTP?
RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) is a network protocol used for transmitting audio, video, and other real-time media over the internet. It is designed to provide reliable, low-latency transmission of data, which is essential for applications such as voice and video conferencing, live streaming, and online gaming.
RTP is a client-server protocol, where the client (such as a VoIP phone or media player) sends a request to the server (such as a media server or streaming platform) to transmit the media content. The server then processes the request and sends the media data back to the client in real-time.
¶ How Does this Relate to Ham Radio?
Services like Hams Over IP (https://hamsoverip.com) allow Ham Radio operators to use surplus VoIP equipment to communicate with each other and also link into repeater systems.
Ham Radio Operators from all over the world have volunteered their time, skills, and resources to create a new and dynamic Ham Radio voice over IP service for our ham radio community.
¶ Cisco 525g2
Most of the Who Cares group has standardized on the Cisco 525g2. This is a popular choice because they can be found on Ebay cheap ~$45, and it includes features such as POE, WiFi, Bluetooth, 5V power supply, Sidecar Console.
This phone can support up to 5 SIP service providers. You can connect bluetooth to a Phone or external headset, etc.
¶ Tips and Tricks
- USB Adapter Power Cord: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WH6VC5C?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
- spreadsheet template for sidecar: /15365251-spa500s-template.xls
¶ Phone Directory
¶ Linked Systems
| HOIP Ext | Name | Description |
| 15068 | WC8MI | Who Cares Hub (Allstar 594950) |
| 15069 | W8CPT | Captain Don's Space Odyssey |
| 15070 | K8FBI | FBI Hub (Allstar 43732) |
| 15052 | FIRESIDE | Fireside Radio Network (Allstar 15052) |
¶ Who Cares and Friends
| HOIP Ext | Callsign | Name |
| 101060 | W8CPT | Captain Don |
| 101061 | KF8S | Dave |
| 101065 | KE8VSI | Greg |
| 101066 | KZ8Z | Other Dave |
| 101067 | W8FU | Sean |
| 101068 | NY8T | “Lurker” Larry |
| 101070 | W8EAP | Eric |
| 101071 | K8BB | Don |
| 101072 | WT8X | Aaron |
| 101077 | KE8RPW | Mark |
| 101081 | N8MM | Stephen |
| 101082 | KI5RNN | LJ |
| 101087 | N8KPP | Wally |
| 101089 | N8IAJ | Mark |
| 101092 | KERUH | Anthony |
| 101101 | N8RAN | Gary |
¶ Monitoring Pages
¶ Hamshack Hotline
These are monitoring BLF (busy light functions) – Hamshack Hotline discourages people from having BLF buttons on their phones.
Active User Extension - https://blf.hamshackhotline.com/extinuseblf.php
Active Bridges - https://blf.hamshackhotline.com/bridgeinuseblf.php
¶ Hams Over IP
To monitor Hams Over IP .. there is an Active BLF tab on their phonebook